original or custom for the resell? your vote/thoughts please

[DeBar]

so the background story- picked up a 66 dodge dart 270 two door sedan 273 V8 automatic car little while back from a guy. the car had been sitting in the yard next to his house since 94. said it had burnt valves, the top end of the engine had been taken apart. get it home, clean it out and find the floors are solid, trunk pan solid, i have all the trim, cars the original color. the reason i bought the car was to flip it. i have a running la 318. so here is the question- do i keep it all original (put the money into rebuilding the 273), or should i do it the way i would have the car? i would put that 318 in, custom exhaust, and thinking of swapping the OE power steering for a modern style rack and pinion. thanks

 

[DeBar]

Here she is

 

[bigaadams]

the more time and money you put into the car less likely of getting it back in the sale...I say fix the 273 heads or if any change go to the later model unlead heads and install, just verify the bolt angles.....get it running, after all, you just going to flip it...to do the work you talk about makes me think you got feeling toward the car and would rather have it for yourself..decision time..

 

[RustyRatRod]

It'll never be worth a ton, so fix it like you want to. It does help that it's a V8 car. I would say if you fix it like you want to the point that it can be put back original easily and it would be worth its maximum. Whatever that is.

 

[Brad4406]

As a previous flipper, I would say put as little into it as possible; the more you put into it, the less you will get out of it. Unfortunately, experience teaches well with that lesson. Also, if you put it the way you want it, you will have a tougher time letting it go. So, I'd go whichever way is the cheapest.

By the way, beautiful score. I'd have a tough time parting with it.

 

[DeBar]

there is a big part of me that wants to keep it now. but the wife says i got too many projects.

 

[RPMagoo]

-- the more time and money you put into the car less likely of getting it back in the sale...

-- I agree.

 

[Tadams]

I would leave it stock. Then drive and enjoy

 

[Dartn440]

I wouldn't put much in it. I put a ton in my truck and made it a reliable driver and I can't give it away right now. I am knee deep in a car I will drive the snot out of and just don't have time for it. I know if it does not sell in the next hour I will park it and build it how I wanted it next year....I will never see that money on a sale.

Get it running and get it gone before you get too attached. Nice score.

 

[Darthomas]

It's less bother changing heads than engines.
273s are sweet in Darts.

 

[DeBar]

do any of you know, will 318 heads fit the 273 with no issues?

 

[Valiant63]

The 318 heads will fit the 273 but the compression ratio may be severely dropped depending on which heads they are.

 

[toolmanmike]

the more time and money you put into the car less likely of getting it back in the sale...I say fix the 273 heads or if any change go to the later model unlead heads and install, just verify the bolt angles.....get it running, after all, you just going to flip it...to do the work you talk about makes me think you got feeling toward the car and would rather have it for yourself..decision time..

66 273's have the normal intake bolts and regular angle. The 65's and 64's not. 63's didn't have a 273.

 

[toolmanmike]

And yes, nice score. Dang, I just sold my stroker. It would make a fun street brawler.

 

[340duster340]

sweet ride, but maybe i am biased because i am building the same car. (66 dart - 340/727 - 8&3/4 rear - front and rear sway bars - large pattern conversion - frame connectors and some more stuff)

as said above i would do as little as possible, get it running and drive and take it from there.

as far as upgrades, keep it all stock or stock equivalent and motor on, the more custom you make it, the less likely you will get it back on the road.

i would do the 318 in a hear beat, if you go 340/360 your going to have to get $creative with headers or 340HIPO manifolds to get the ehuast to flow, but the 318 will be fine with the 273 manifolds.

good luck!