HankRearden
Well-Known Member
better mileage than an LA 360 if stock or relatively so.Yup, pass everything but a gas station.....
Engine is pulled - 273 rebuild or replacement 360 crate?
- Thread starter brodphish
- Start date
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heh heh, sometimes i can be a level headed voice of reason. sometimes.Oh, come on- we start throwing out hypothetical baloney builds for the guy (who even said he would prefer to build this motor), and then you have to chime in and try to be the voice of reason. You're no fun.
Granted, 8 sleeves at a c-note per hole ain't cheap, but there's no guarantee a different engine won't need work, too. What it does get you is into the realm of more readily accessible parts (I.E. pistons).
OP, all joking aside, even though you have access to a $3200 360 crate motor (I don't recall seeing it be a "Blueprint") I do think your best bet is to just find a decent 5.2 Magnum (318) to drop in. Most of these things have worn really well, and the most they need is a dingleball hone and a set of rings. Most times they don't even need that. All you'll really need to buy is 4 things: an LA360 oil pan, any of the "chinagap" 4bbl. intakes, and the crank hub bushing (if it's an automatic, a roller pilot bearing if it's a manual), and the cam snout adapter from Hughes. EVERYTHING else is easily adaptable from the 273. Your 4bbl. carb, linkage, TC cover/wp/fp (even the balancer if necessary), distributor and all accessory drives and pulleys. Bone stock cam with a 5.2 will still probably put you in just between 250-275 hp. on pump regular.
Last time I got a Magnum at the Pick 'n Pull, it was a 5.9 version for $200 on half-price day (yes, this was pre-Covid, but still...) The above parts shouldn't set you back more than $300, plus gaskets.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
A hopped up 318 will be cheaper to build and be a stronger engine. It appears that your car is a 4 speed, so a 318 is already a neutral balance engine, where a 360 is not. Using a 360 means here comes a bigger bellhousing for the bigger flywheel needed. Then there's the special linkage you'd need to get from Brewer's. Build a mild 318 with an appropriate cam and some aluminum heads, KB167 pistons and a nice aluminum intake and send it with all the trans related stuff you already have. If you don't have an 8 3/4 rearend in it.....one may be coming soon, lol.
MOPAROFFICIAL
If it has tits, it's a liabilititty.
Yeah let's put it 8 sleeves in it then square it up, line hone mains, bore the cam tunnel straight, torque plate on it.. burn that cash to call it a numbers matchin block.
Or let's sleeve it to slant size pistons 3.40? Then use a 4 crank , maybe custim rods...and keep the 273 heads stock.. lmao..
a tribute to the slant .. and top it with 8 holley 1920 on fabbed manifold
Or let's sleeve it to slant size pistons 3.40? Then use a 4 crank , maybe custim rods...and keep the 273 heads stock.. lmao..
a tribute to the slant .. and top it with 8 holley 1920 on fabbed manifold
pop that cam tunnel out to 50mm so we can run some roller bearings while we're there...
MOPAROFFICIAL
If it has tits, it's a liabilititty.
Of course, and using $1200 .850 roller lifters ..
where are you gettin' those budget lifters, pal?
(and can you hook me up)
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
Don't forget...if we use the roller cam bearings in a SBM, we gotta get the ones with one roller left out so the rockers will still get oil.
we can solve that problem with the dry sump system.
MOPAROFFICIAL
If it has tits, it's a liabilititty.
You got it bro, only another 400 to ship and they arrive next yr... maybe give or take 3 to 18 months
MOPAROFFICIAL
If it has tits, it's a liabilititty.
Well.. we'll just replumb the oiling system all together with internal brake lines going everywhere like a fking spider web LOL
Well I’ve missed a lot of great comments, been out musky fishing this afternoon (with no success). It’s gonna take some time to go though and sort out my thoughts.
Some have asked…yes it is a factory 4 speed car. 7 1/4 rear with an open diff and 2.94 gears. It was super fun to drive with the mild built 273 even as the engine was getting tired.
The guy working on the car has a friend with a lot of mopar parts. We’re gonna find out if he has a 318 and/or the 340 heads for starters. Use a some of the 273 parts and upgrade to performance parts where it makes sense.
Gonna do a front disc conversion now, as well. An 8 3/4 sure grip after I spin the 7 1/4
I’ll post again when I find out what’s available locally in terms of a 318 or other….
Some have asked…yes it is a factory 4 speed car. 7 1/4 rear with an open diff and 2.94 gears. It was super fun to drive with the mild built 273 even as the engine was getting tired.
The guy working on the car has a friend with a lot of mopar parts. We’re gonna find out if he has a 318 and/or the 340 heads for starters. Use a some of the 273 parts and upgrade to performance parts where it makes sense.
Gonna do a front disc conversion now, as well. An 8 3/4 sure grip after I spin the 7 1/4
I’ll post again when I find out what’s available locally in terms of a 318 or other….
65TerrorCuda
Well-Known Member
Guys got crazy in here lol
The car already has headers. 273 motor mounts can be easily modified to fit a 360 (add a pie shaped piece of metal on one side, extra washers on the other. Will need to balance the flywheel for the 360, but the 9.5 inch clutch setup will bolt right up to a 360. There are HD versions of the 9.5 inch clutch available, or OP can just swap to a 10.5 inch clutch. All the front stuff from a 273 will fit a 340, but the 360 stuff will work if you move the bottom radiator outlet to the other side (used to be any competent radiator shop could do that, maybe not so easy anymore since radiator shops have all but disappeared). The 7 1/4 rear will have to be replaced, but it won't hold up to a strong 273 for long, either, so it will really need to be replaced anyway.
Since the OP's 273 isn't the original motor, his Barracuda is not a factory Commando, and the motor needs to be replaced with something, whether a 273 or larger, it to me is a no brainer to swap in a 360. That swap gives you 87 extra cubic inches. That's WAY more than a 4 inch stroker crank in a 340 or 360 gives you. Or you could swap in a stroker 360. 408 minus 273 equals 131 perfectly streetable extra cubes. Even better. And it fits anywhere a 273 will fit.
My 65 Barracuda has had a 340 in it since 1973. I was able to make the swap work before I had any tools to speak of, or any mechanical experience. Don't let anyone scare you into thinking replacing a 273 with a 360 is a difficult swap.
Since the OP's 273 isn't the original motor, his Barracuda is not a factory Commando, and the motor needs to be replaced with something, whether a 273 or larger, it to me is a no brainer to swap in a 360. That swap gives you 87 extra cubic inches. That's WAY more than a 4 inch stroker crank in a 340 or 360 gives you. Or you could swap in a stroker 360. 408 minus 273 equals 131 perfectly streetable extra cubes. Even better. And it fits anywhere a 273 will fit.
My 65 Barracuda has had a 340 in it since 1973. I was able to make the swap work before I had any tools to speak of, or any mechanical experience. Don't let anyone scare you into thinking replacing a 273 with a 360 is a difficult swap.
Gator
Mopar or No Car
My 340 bit the dust 2x in a month do to a hyd flat tappett cam/lifter failure. It was already built .030 over with 30k miles on the engine 20 years ago so instead of doing another tear down, clean out and rebuild I decided against doing that so I bought a 408 Blueprint 375hp Stroker crate dynoed at 406 hp from summit with a 30 month 50k mile warranty. A rebuild would cost some where in the neighborhood of $5k where the crate cost me $8k. This was a no brainer for me and very happy that I went this route. Now I have no worries about engine failure and if by chance it does within the 30 month period I have the warranty.
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4eighteener
Well-Known Member
I'd vote for a light hone with line 2 line coating on the piston skirts and .005 over rings if available/necessary.
Get you back on the road cheap,fast, and numbers matching
Get you back on the road cheap,fast, and numbers matching
Could do that. But, no numbers matching for cars built before 68. It sounds like his 273 block was dated after the car was built so it's not the original one.
4eighteener
Well-Known Member
Given the op's 2 choices, I would lean towards the 360.
Out of the other choices out there, I like JYH version of a 318 using his compatible parts.
But since the op's "preference" is to use the current engine, probably not original, I like the coating idea.
Out of the other choices out there, I like JYH version of a 318 using his compatible parts.
But since the op's "preference" is to use the current engine, probably not original, I like the coating idea.
So many good ideas, I Just sent this thread to my builder. 1) I like 4eighteners Post#41 fast and cheap, love the vibe of the car “as is” but need to build confidence it would work 2) 318 using 340 heads and 273 parts, the inquiry is out on what’s available here in Green Bay 3) bite the bullet and put in a 408 stroker and 8 3/4 rear
That’s what I’m thinking now
That’s what I’m thinking now
It looks like a real nice car and deserves a good engine, not something that is just thrown together. (or something you will have to do over again soon)
4eighteener
Well-Known Member
Like Dorthy say, "now that's a horse of a different color!"
If it is financially doable, I vote 408 stroker with a 8 3/4!
It is a nice car, and I have often found a nice car on the road beats a dream car in the garage waiting for the day
Yes
If it is financially doable, I vote 408 stroker with a 8 3/4!
It is a nice car, and I have often found a nice car on the road beats a dream car in the garage waiting for the day
Yes
here's my argument on that: line 2 line *starts* at 30 a clip on the pistons-- plus shipping there and back and you're at probably around $300. then you gotta hunt down some rings... which for 273... *sighs heavily*
and that's *if* the bore taper is acceptable...
add a tear down and hone to that and you're rapidly approaching a good chunk of what another motor would run ya.
and all that for what? a non original motor that's got 2bbl pistons in it.
commando motor? totally different story. but this? i'd take a pass.
(also, the last time i had line 2 line do some pistons it was nearly a month from me dropping them in the mail to getting them back)
It is a very nice, clean AZ car that I’ve had a lot of fun with for 8 years. It deserves a good engine and doing it right is my
Number 1 objective. Objective 2 would be keeping is somewhat of a period piece. I’m guessing the motor was done sometime in the 80s so “period piece” is somewhat flexible.
But doing it right and not having to do it again is what the car deserves. It’s been fun and about to get even more fun. If that means a 408 so be it.
Number 1 objective. Objective 2 would be keeping is somewhat of a period piece. I’m guessing the motor was done sometime in the 80s so “period piece” is somewhat flexible.
But doing it right and not having to do it again is what the car deserves. It’s been fun and about to get even more fun. If that means a 408 so be it.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
You can make the 408 look just like a 273 Commando with Valve covers and red paint....lol. I'd see about getting some fender badges made that read "Super Dooper Commando V8" LOL. But....the Barracuda may be like "Badges? We don need no steenking badges!"
Commando XLYou can make the 408 look just like a 273 Commando with Valve covers and red paint....lol. I'd see about getting some fender badges made that read "Super Dooper Commando V8" LOL. But....the Barracuda may be like "Badges? We don need no steenking badges!"
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