Hypothetical 318 Commando Build

[superstock64polara]

The 63 Belvedere looks great, hopefully we all do better 2022!

I think it runs great,for what it is.Low budget in a beater that most would use only as a parts car.
A B&M shift kit in the 904 and a set of 4.10's make for some real fun.And JUST for fun.It's what you do with left over parts.
I built the car in 2019 for the Tucson zip tie drags. Health sidelined me 2019,then covid 2020, then a new granddaughter, 2021
Maybe 2022 if they have it again.
View attachment 1715833710 View attachment 1715833711

 

[SS Lancer]

To bad these are not still obtainable

 

[toolmanmike]

Has anyone actually built & run a 318 just like a 273 HiPo motor?
That is, a 318 short motor with a nice flat-top piston that will produce around 10:1 static compression with 273/318 '920' closed chamber head, and the following 273 Commando parts:
* Cast iron single plane 4BBL intake manifold
* Carter AFB 500cfm carb
* OEM adjustable rockers
* Isky E-4 solid camshaft or OEM original profile
* Prestolite duel point distributor
* Cast iron OEM headers

I have a 67 Barracuda Formula S 273 4 speed car with 3.23 sure grip rear, and am happy enough with the 273 Commando mill, it would be nice however to have a motor with a little more torque.

Love the idea of a 318 built as a 273 HiPo, just wondering if anyone has done this and what they think.

View attachment 1715833274

Shure could and it would probably run pretty good. You might want to shop around and use a little bigger cam. Oh, and if you have a Dodge you are building a Charger 318 and not a Commando. Just sayin'

 

[superstock64polara]

Thanks TMM, l really dig your 273 Charger Dart!

Shure could and it would probably run pretty good. You might want to shop around and use a little bigger cam. Oh, and if you have a Dodge you are building a Charger 318 and not a Commando. Just sayin'

 

[Slantsix64]

Honestly after doing a Magnum 318 swap i rather go with that canvas right off the bat its already in the 9 to 1 compression area.

64cc heads mill them down, use a thin head gasket get you in the 10:1 ratio easy. Better heads better compression 1.6 Rocker ratio roller camshaft bigger valves just swap springs and the camshaft to that howards grind that has 274/278 duration .507/533 lift and let it rip!

 

[YY1]

Aaaaaaand we're "back" to a "slightly hotter" cam for a 318 thread, but this time we're starting with the 273 Commando solid lifter baseline.

 

[AJ/FormS]

And on that note; recall that Op has 3.23s, so 5000 in first gear with 25.5 tires comes to 44 mph.
OP said; would be nice to have more torque. To me that implies less-lazy at take off, not more power at 5000rpm.
The 318 was born making more low-rpm torque. To spice it up even more, requires one or more of;
1) more cylinder pressure at that low rpm. or
2) raise the Stall to convert torque to horsepower. or
3) more rear gear to make the engine feel bigger than it is, in first gear, especially at take-off.or
4) weight reduction
What happens at 5000rpm/44 mph, is of less concern.