right beside the freeze plug I think a 65 273 should have a bolt in the timing cover. 318 no bolt. bolt hole in gasket none in cover or block.I don't believe those are original. '66 service book shows .013/ .021 lash, and no hydraulic tappets.
Either you have an LA 318 or someone has done some swapping, I'd say
Start by looking at the drivers side front of the engine, the parting line where the block deck meets the head. Directly under there should be a number string, and 273 318, etc, should be in the first 4 or 5 numbers
The number should be about where the mouse is pointing:
Ok, well since I do have an audible noise coming from the driver side valve cover, what would I do about those valves? Since I can't adjust them.
Yeah it's a 273, so I'm guessing either someone has gone through the work to give it hydraulic lifters, or it's a later year 273 that someone put in the car at some point? I don't know much about the 273s changes over years did they ever come out of the factory with non mechanical valves?
Where would I find the head casting numbers? The block casting numbers/date would be on the passenger or drive side of the block? Or is it the string of numbers on the front?...or someone's put later 318 heads on your 273 block.
'68/'69 273's had juice lifters...same as LA 318 of those years.
Get us the block AND head casting numbers and block date, and we'll figure it out for you.
Where would I find the head casting numbers? The block casting numbers/date would be on the passenger or drive side of the block? Or is it the string of numbers on the front?