Cracked head 273, advice?

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goldfish65

goldfish65

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My '65 273 non-commando has a cracked head. My mechanic says he told me about this 3 years ago, I know he did not, but that's beside the point. Stop-leak is holding for now. What would you guys do? I won't be doing the work myself. Thanks for any imput.
 

I have a nice 318 out of a 72 ply here was rebuilt but crank bad you can have the whole engine for 75dollars I paid more for thevalve springs new cam rings, Its your choice.
 
Depending where the crack is, the head can probably be repaired. Ask the machine shop what it will cost and how they propose to do it. They'll probably say they can "drill and plug" if the crack is into a chamber or the valve cover area. Last time I had this done it was $100 or so per head. If the crack is to the outside of the engine, they'll possibly just flow some brass onto it.

Is it worth it? That depends. In my case, the heads were otherwise in good shape, recently rebuilt and that was really the only repair needed. If it is just a core needing rebuilt, you will likely money ahead to find a different casting.
 
Thank you for all the replies so far, I'm trying to figure out my options. Money is tight.
 
When you decide what you're gonna put on it, bring it down here and we'll stab um on. You buy the pizza and the beer.
 
Don't get it repaired. I've seen too many come back because the end of the crack was not found. Cast iron is TOAST when it cracks. How do you know it ain't a blown head gasket?
 
I've read 302 heads are good, and what a fine offer from SS

maybe its more economical to find another engine to drop in
 
StrokerScamp said:
Don't get it repaired. I've seen too many come back because the end of the crack was not found. Cast iron is TOAST when it cracks. How do you know it ain't a blown head gasket?
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The guys who work on my car said it was cracked. They are honest and have been in business for years. But I will question them further. Thanks for the offer to help me with the install, that would be awesome.
 
goldfish65 said:
The guys who work on my car said it was cracked. They are honest and have been in business for years. But I will question them further. Thanks for the offer to help me with the install, that would be awesome.
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It may well be. but I don't see how they can tell the difference between a blown head gasket and a cracked head unless they have a boroscope. Even then it is really tough because the heads almost always crack in the valve seats area and that would be almost impossible to see without removing the head. They may have been simply "covering their butt" which is a perfectly acceptable thing to do as long as when they found out if it was not a cracked head and a blown head gasket, that's all they repaired. Know what I mean, Vern? I would probably lean toward a cracked head in the same circumstance because if you tell a customer "blown haed gasket" and it's a cracked head, the sell becomes more difficult and the customer starts to question your integrity. But, if you come out of it without having to replace the heads, they are always happy with the lesser amount. you just have to know how to sell stuff peoperly and honestly...and that sounds like what they did. I am dead serious about helping you. It would not take long to do. If you got here say on a Saturday morning and we had all our ducks in a row and nothing went arey (yeah, right) I could be done early afternoon. Sometimes stuff like that goes off without a hitch though. The older stuff never fights with me much.
 
The 302 heads are a good idea....IF you can find some uncracked. Then though, you gotta get a different intake. Doesn't yours have the funny angled intake bolts? Probably the best thing to do is leave it like it is if you are happy with it....with uncracked heads that is. lol
 
Yes it's the early intake with the angled bolt holes. And yes I will question the mechanics further. Thanks for all your imputs.
 
heads are repaired all the time,, all depends where the crack is,and who repairs it,,there were a ton of 1964 65 barracudas sold,,but finding a 1964/65 head may take a while,,,ide look in to repairing it,,
 
I know a guy that has a set for early 273 heads that need rebuilt.
 
I've got a '65 273 that I'm not using. If you need a core head I can pull and mag it for you. I wouldnt fix one. To do it right takes a bit of work. It's cheaper to just re-do another head.
 
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