The 273 LA Mopar Engine - A Brief History Of "Little Magic," And My Genius Plans For This One

[@davej3487]

One history fact to add. They used the Poly 318 crankshaft and connecting rods but the 273 piston was much smaller and lighter so it would not balance out. So instead of making a new crankshaft, they added a HUGE thick wall wrist pin to make the 273 piston weigh the same as a Poly 318 piston. So the trick is to get some light wrist pins and have the crank lightened. They will remove over 4 pounds of rotational weight.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep!

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

Wow, I did not know this! That would make a big difference in usable hp!

[@Motorhead-hm5jq]

I had a '67 Formula S fastback with 273 Commando, 4 speed w/console, 323 rear gear. Had it professionally rebuilt, little hotter cam, changed the rear to 391 posi. Fun car and mean out the hole, but it wouldn't break even into the 14s in the quarter mile - it obviously had breathing problems. I often wished I would have set the motor on a crate, invested my rebuild money in a 340 and stuck the 273 valve covers and air cleaner on it for a killer sleeper. Of course I eventually sold it and literally still have dreams that I have it - oh well, at least I had a chance to own what is now a fairly rare car!

[@rocks-if6uh]

So I'm kinda new to this whole "knowing everything" about a certain manufacturer cause I'm not a manufacturer loyal type probably because I've operated tow trucks over 21 years and im not prejudice i tow em all every manufacturer out there. Anyway up until about a month ago I really didn't know 273 commando v8 even existed then my current place of employment bought a barracuda formula s and there it sits. In all its glory it has created more conversations with me as people stop by and droll over the muscle cars we have sitting out front and they begin sharing there glory days of great times gone by and the I never should have ever sold that car but life happened. Its great to see there smiles of joy yet hard to watch them loose that smile as they return to the present day and just wish they could afford to re-live those good days. Thanks for the info on 273.

[@DarthEcoli]

I was literally just confessing my love for first gen Formula S Barracudas and 273 Commandos to Uncle Tony on his 273 video. They're no big block and horsepower/torque monsters but not all of us need that :)

[@arniebriscoe2978]

I had a 1965 Barracuda with the 273 Commando 4 speed in high school from 1968 to 1972. I really liked the car, gray with red interior. I wish I had it back, lots of memories.

[@ivanchester1525]

Nothing better than a small car with a 273 that can breathe well and a 4 speed transmission. Leave the drag strip trophy for the meat heads, the daily driving joy is so much more rewarding.

[@beljames1563]

Great idea. Love the 273. In the 60's a friend bought a new 66 Dart gt 273 4 speed. Another friend had a 63 Impala 327 4 speed. Who was faster through the 1/4? It depended upon who got the best start. The Dart was no slouch. It felt faster riding in it than the Impala. So have fun. It wil be a blast!

[@duaneblack873]

😢08😊)[[【[>【[>【2

[@dougsammons2228]

In 64,a two four barrel carburetor system was available for the barracuda 273, and it was,,, fast,,, and with a little work it was turning the quarter mile in 11seconds,in the street version

[@RonaldReed-ul9du]

Hey, my life long buddy had a 67 4 Speed Valiant with the quick revving 273, he got it in 68 and had few miles. His cousin had a 383 roadrunner torque flite trans, we had 3 people in the Valiant and his cousin was by himself and that little 273 embarrassed the hell out of that 383. Don't discount the hotrod version of that little motor. BTW, the local Chrysler Plymouth dealers Son told my buddy he'd beat anyone's offer if he decided to sell, he'd had it for decades, the guy was honest with my buddy, told him it was exceedingly rare. He sold it and bought a restored 68 fastback barracuda to tow his boat with, having Park made it safer on the launch ramps

[@rogercamp6071]

My second car was a '68 Dart GT with the 273 and I loved it, like a total fool I sold it and have regretted it some 40+years later.

[@timmotel5804]

Good Day. I had a friend in High School, 1970, that had a Barracuda with a 273 HP in it. Great and hot little engine. Rare Car. He later upgraded to a 1968 340 Dodge Dart. Both nice cars. Good Article. Rare article on a rare engine. Thank You.

[@Kale-Lopaka]

When I was in high school in the early 80s, a friend of mine bought an old 66 Dodge dart with the experimental 273. Spent a month in my garage rebuilding this engine that was in parts when we got it but I have to say the guy did his homework when the new cam all new bearings are out the engine was in great shape put a 340 roadrunner heads and a medium high-rise intake with a carter 1250 dual float car. When we were finished and dropped it in the car tuned it right and you could takeoff from a dead stop drop the clutch and the car wouldn’t move. It would just sit and smoke the tires that was regular 60s.

[@charliejones7574]

I ran those back in the 70's. 1 4bbl and 1 2bbl. Little Screamers

[@dinadaughtry8993]

I had a 66dart gt with a 273 4barrel and a 4speed the exhaust had some strange looking manifolds that met together on the passenger side and then ran to the rear by way of a 3inch single pipe, no power steering or air conditioner, not even a heater but it did have bucket seats and console, the engine was the solid lifter with the stout cam and high compression pistons and it was quick for the small displacement and was also equipped with a sure grip rear end and could still spin the tires, so with a light car and a high RPM small block it was just FUN and that's the point

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn right! That sounds awesome.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Love the poly 318 they do preform very well and have one of the best MOPAR exhaust note of any MOPAR V8 .

[@LongIslandMopars]

They sound bigger than they are

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Can’t wait to get the one in my ‘64 Power Wagon running again. Very much looking forward to that.

[@clembob8004]

Yep, MoPar never built a bad 318. Those old polys are no exception.

[@robertpao2931]

Love the valve cover collection. You have inspired me!

[@antoninoorfano8187]

Great little motor , my brother had one in VE 1967 valiant, very rare here in Australia

[@williamcole464]

What makes the Dodge run? The blood. In 1965, Dodge built a special car, called the D Dart, it was specifically built to compete in D/ Stock class, and was aimed at the Chevrolet Novas, And Chevelles in that classe. If I'm not mistaken, they won some major victorys in that time frame.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep. I obviously didn’t cover the D Dart at all in this video, and several have found this to be a notable omission. Haha.

[@williamcole464]

@@DeadDodgeGarage That's fine, but maybe in a next video, you could cover it. Thanks for all you do, Didn't mean to call you out. I'm a long term Mopar freak, with a long term history with Mopar history.I don't feel we get the credit we deserve, so I always try to shout it out. Thanks again.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

@@williamcole464 Awesome! It's all good. Haha. I did read briefly about the D Dart when I was making the video, but it's something I'm not very familiar with, and therefore not very comfortable explaining.

[@redchris97]

Instant sub! I love the idea of making a screaming 273, someone should come up with a cool nickname, like Buzzsaw commando

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The Buzzsaw… I like it. Haha. Thanks!

[@alvinjohns575]

One of the best cars I ever owned was a 67 barracuda formula S fastback, 3.55 powergrip, 273/235 hp, 727 torqueflight, maroon with a white interior. I was the second owner, paying a mere 1500 for a beautiful car that was well cared for during its first 36,000 miles. It did everything well, carried large loads and got over 20 mpg. Then came the 70s oil embargo, so I traded in for 600 when a bought a new 74 Toyota Corona SR5 sport for 3600. The salesman bought the cuda immediately for his wife. As we were finishing the paperwork on the Toyota another salesman came in to ask for the keys of the Barracuda so it was sold even before the Toyota deal was completed.

[@race8427]

My second car in the late 70s was a 66 Dart GT w/273 4 barrel, 904, salisbury 7 1/4. Swapped in a 318 for an immediate power improvement. Kept the valve covers, reused the intake and shiny air cleaner. A sharp light weight, wish I had it back. I lament that Chryco didn’t further develop the poly head or make a big block version. Oh, I gave away my shiny air cleaner in 2020.

[@woolyhighlander7280]

Me Too, like a Dummy, now I have a 65 Cuda with a super Commando 273 & NO air cleaner, Rats.

[@chrisretired5379]

Awesome video, great size for a shop ! Thanks for keeping the 273 alive !!! 👍

[@tracewallace23]

LMAO 🤣 I've been researching the 318 lately because I bought a very nice 1970 Dart Swinger survivor (from the original owner) and, well, You Know 😏 So I already found most of the history that you went over in this video, and had even found a lot of the date correct performance oriented parts numbers and applications (now for the actual parts treasure hunt 😬 I'm not holding out a lot of hope 😔) But, because of your humor, knowledge, and generally great attitude (sometimes they do in fact require blood sacrifices 😉). You've got a New Subscriber for sure. Thanks for the knowledge and laughs👍💪 I hope you'll let me pick your brain later (I promise to put it back🥴 mostly), after watching a lot more of your content. I could've saved so much research time by just coming here first 🤯😎

[@robertstewart2356]

I think I am about to get a 273 and I’m intrigued to see if the little motor can make more than 273 hp. And I am cheep I would love to see what parts can be used from the junk yard to beef it up to take a blower

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s pretty beefy to begin with… I think that’s a good goal. 300ish out of the 273 would be really exciting to me.

[@strattuner]

this engine will rev good,hada built one in 1969 ,blue printed it,left it dead stock,except for 3.91 gears,use the 7 1/4 suregrip rear and the 904 with the 2800 converter,what really woke mine up was fenderwell headers,i put them on and it made me alot of money,they didn't laugh when i went by them for 1/8 mile, 150.00 runs,lot of money in 1969,the 273 is a screamer,the cranks are lighter and i turned that engine 6800 constantly,ran the valves 3 times a week,good times,still got the engine

[@toast9758]

You've got the same thought processas I of building odd motors and I love it. I'm building a 239 V6 for the daily 88. same idea of building it up a bit. But I do have a futute over-the-top build idea I'd love to discuss. I'll spare you the list of ideas lol

[@joshandnissa]

I have wanted one since i was a kid but I've never stumbled on to one at the right price yet.

[@justralphajerseyguystuckin3671]

The 273 build sounds cool- I'm looking forward to seeing it progress... thanks for deciding to go that route. 🙂

[@craigcontofalsky4387]

I raced a 65, 273 Dart Charger back in the 70s. It ran high 14's and held the KO/A National Record for a brief period. Nice car and I beat a few Road Runners with it too. They all thought it was a 340 in it. Told them to check the block numbers. My major mod was to install a 8-3/4" rear end in it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s awesome!

[@ricklodestein1101]

They never made 65 chargers.

[@BurchellAtTheWharf]

7:51 I love the 273, like the 318 very underrated, but the 273 can rev to like 7500 rpm

[@BurchellAtTheWharf]

8:32 have saw one 273 make 300 hp, they c Both can make at least there cc in hp

[@BurchellAtTheWharf]

A 6pack 273??? That would be insane, never was one of those before

[@BurchellAtTheWharf]

14:04 know matter what yea do, it's gonna be sweet 🧁🎂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m not thinking six pack, I’m thinking eight barrels 😅 have been working on acquiring a manifold for that and have finally acquired one, apparently. 7500 RPM is exactly what I have in mind. Good set of heads, high compression, roller everything.

[@BurchellAtTheWharf]

@@DeadDodgeGarage ohhh bouyyyy 😁 That sounds minty as frig, Wait an 8 pack 😮🤯 Edit-I was gonna suggest if it is loose enough, a small junkyard diesel turdo er something but you got woms nis n/a plans ehh? 🤨🤔😉

[@johnbarron1329]

Cool collection of motors you have and I have those same exact valve covers on my 1971 340 engine! Great video thanks! 😊

[@samuelgoodman2825]

My 273 drives me and my son everywhere we go.Time Machines

[@patricklynch1962]

My dad loved the 273 in his '64 Valiant. He thought it was a nice balance of power and economy for a small car especially as he had a long commute to work. He probably would have kept it much longer but one day one of the leaf spring mounts punched through the trunk from the rust and that was pretty much the end of it. Don't know whoever ended up with it fixed it or junked it. Probably pulled the motor and junked the rest of it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeahhhh that does happen… ouch.

[@Desertwolf426]

Nice! I have some early hemi, poly and 273 commando stuff in the hoard... great video!

[@DependableAutoTruck]

you left out the D-Dart with 273 /// 275 HP had a Racer Brown .500 lift cam most were 4 spd ran really good had a friend that drag raced one bought new and kept many years finally sold it.. when i first started building 360s i used 327 chevy pistons and reamed piston to accept the 360 pin. ran good. then tried the Tom Hover deal with the low compression 340 pistons and bored .040 also ran good. then sivolite came out with some pistons and that was the game changer. also tried the 360 crank turned down the mains and installed in a 318 was a very good combo lots of torque.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I was waiting for someone to bring up the D-Dart. Almost like I left it out intentionally in a sad attempt to garner extra comments… rad!

[@mitchholmquist2741]

​@DeadDodgeGarage Had a friend that had a D Dart, he was running 4.56 gears in a otherwise stock car and he was on the low side of the 14 second range, pretty decent time for the day!

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@DeadDodgeGarage D Darts are ultra rare. Most got grenaded drag racing. I'm sure they developed ring wear, too.

[@twobitsworth1556]

67 barricuda fast back commando 273, 4 spd, disc brakes,, first 67 fastback 225, auto. , both same colors, fun cars

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That first one is just about my dream Barracuda…

[@stvitalkid7981]

In 1966, my parents traded in their Morris Oxford on a brand new Canadian Valiant Custom 200 two-door HT. It came with the 273 V8 (180 hp). Years later, long after the car was gone, my dad told me it wasn't much of a screamer as the rear end was too light and the bias-ply tires didn't help. My mom on the other hand recalled times when she was behind the wheel with my sister and me in the back, surprising more than a few other drivers by pulling away from stoplights with let's say, "aplomb" they didn't expect from a mom in an economy car. Guess they didn't notice the V8 logos ahead of the front wheels. You all probably know this already but the 66 Valiant in Canada was really just a re-badged US Dodge Dart.

[@67valiant100]

Love the 273. My two bucket list mopars are a '67 E-code Commando Valiant & a '70 V-code SFGT. Luckily I can say I own both now 😎

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Whaaaat! I happen to know those V code Sport Furys are quite rare and desirable… and also, that probably means you know Trev 😅 The Commando Valiant is rarer - but as well all know, that doesn’t necessarily mean more valuable. Very cool.

[@67valiant100]

@@DeadDodgeGarage yup, the big oil stain on the concrete pad outside of Rocket Resto was me 😆 Tom could show you a few pictures of my green Commando 4 speed Signet when he returns lol.

[@markusa5521]

​@67valiant100 do you have a channel to look at so we can see that gem

[@jammerz63]

You forgot the D dart with a 273. That was rated at 275 hp.

[@markusa5521]

It will be a fun little project with a little power and great mpg perfect dairy driver. And 67 68,69, valiants are cool looking cars i have 3 of them thanks for the videos

[@jamesblair9614]

This will be a breath of fresh air, since every 360 morphs into a 408 thanks to the ubiquitous stroker crank kits. You will get to enjoy the full 273 cubic inch experience.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… I’m really not into the whole stroker thing. They can be bananas, but when we’re talking street cars… it’s just not necessary. I’m going to have a lot of fun with this little thing.

[@BlindBatG34]

Unpopular opinion: there is something magic about turning the key on an old engine with so much rotating mass that's so smooth and quiet. The mopar gnarly starter noise subsides and you can't tell it's running without a tach.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

@@BlindBatG34 Seriously agree! I *love* quiet cars. The other day, exactly this happened with the '67 slant six Barracuda the day after my brother installed the exhaust. The starter spun down for ages, and I only know the engine had actually fired up because the fan was still moving. It was very interesting.

[@gregloy5790]

Your videos are always worth watching .

[@MrSpartanPaul]

My favorite engine of all the dozens of cars I've owned was the 283 in my manual transmission 66 Impala wagon. It pulled fairly heavy trailers too.

[@rickrice3221]

Looking forward to the 273 build! I’ve got a ‘64 cuda and a ‘66 Satellite with 273’s - I’ve collected the external Commando stuff (except for a correct automatic carb - got a stick carb) for the ‘64. Did you know the 4BBL air cleaner tin is used painted black on some B/RB engines as well as slant sixes? I was in a car club in the ‘90’s with a guy who bought a new ‘65 Dart 270 four door with the 273 4BBL; he still had it last I knew. He said at the time his dad thought him buying a new Mustang was a bad idea…

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes! Tom actually has at least a couple of the black painted units. Just the one chrome one though… I was very excited when I found it.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

We got lots of 273s in Oz . Luv em !!

[@jamesspeck4151]

The 273 is awesome!

[@KB10GL]

After my 325 Dodge Hemi engine, my little 273 LA engine is my favorite. My build started out in about 1977 or so when I recovered a junked 273 short block laying abandoned beside an auto repair shop. It took some years, but I built it I came across some good used forged pistons somewhere that were sixty over. Good start. On close inspection, the crank was a forging, which makes it VERY early. The block was bored to suit the pistons & I robbed the rods & heads from one of my early 360's The rods are the same as 340 HiPerf, but with press fit pins. The heads are the J code 340 HiPerf castings too, but with smaller valves that will clear the bore. Cam is Direct Connection Purple shaft, cam drive is 340 roller chain, oil pump is HiVolume with standard pressure relief spring. 340 windage tray, everything balanced & new small parts everywhere. Oh yeah, a new Offy dual port "Port O Sonic" manifold is used with a new Carter 625 cfm model 9626 carb plus extractors [you call them headers] Yeah, even the carb, bought new, is pre Edelbrock And then I realised. The block was never cast for, or machined for, the full flow oil filter. So I assume that this a a VERY early casting. It originally used the bypass filtration system The engine was completed & ready to run in 1980. I pull the Malory distributor from time to time & drive the oil pump to make oil pressure while turning the crank with a socket & bar. It sits in the engine bay of my '32 Dodge sedan & has remained there, un-started since 1980. I love the little bugger, but it's the 325 Hemi that will power the '33 Coupe. PS. I also have, on the shelf, a dual quad manifold for the early heads with the 5/16" bolts at the different angle. I don't have early heads so it's just a shelf ornament.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Wow… I’m curious if wherever you are in in the world explains the differences you found, because all 273 cranks should be forged until I believe ‘68. I have four of them. And I was not aware than any lacked a full flow filter. I thought the Poly had that for years by the time the LA evolution arrived. Good to know small valve Js fit. I have considered that possibility, but am leaning more toward a Magnum head - or working over a set of late 80s closed chamber 318 heads. Either way, I have a dual quad Edelbrock (and a tunnel ram) for the standard pattern heads, for which the Magnums would be redrilled. I am planning to use the standard small rods as a reciprocating weight consideration. The big ones would make sense but this is a race engine and I am trying to be weight conscious. You should fire that thing up!

[@KB10GL]

@@DeadDodgeGarage I am in Australia, part way between the state capitol & the national Capitol. I built that 273 engine when I was younger & stupid. These days I am not so young. Maybe I will use it in the '32 after I finish the '33, but at 74 years old, that may be a bridge too far. Back in the early 70's as a newly married man I set to building my 1917 Dodge from half of an original all steel touring body on two thirds of its original chassis. Took a couple of years, but it was the first street rod here to be registered with its 273 engine & trans in September of '72. I forget the year model of the engine, but the trans used a cable shift & I had to buy the shifter new as there were none in wrecking yards. That car is apparently still on the road, fifty one years later with a 340. I was under the belief & understanding, perhaps wrongly, that the cast cranks were used very early & the forged ones were only in '64 & some of '65. I stand corrected. I was also sure that the Poly 318 had the full flow filter, so even now, I scratch my head over this one. If I press this one into service I would change the oil very frequently. I loved the little 273's , but not quite as much as my 325 Hemi. It's one engine that was never used in any other corporate branded car or truck, so my Hemi, in my 1933 Dodge three window coupe [hyper rare body] on the desirable, early, short 111-1/4" chassis [almost all were on the 115" wheelbase] with a "purist" Dodge engine will make it very likely to be somewhat unique in the world. I like that.

[@butcher390]

Really appreciated this 🙏 Chrysler Engine history lesson , Jamie 👨‍🎓

[@wbarney59]

Thanks Jamie

[@lautburns4829]

Damn good job explaining all the neat Chrysler logic.

[@anthonyshelton6786]

I love the 273's I might be tracking parts to put mine back together and trying to decide power build for it or not either way EGGE i believe has the pop up pistons for those little magic engines so cool you have the air cleaner!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Someone else mentioned them! I’ll be looking into it for the performance build.

[@lloydmartin8139]

I just built a 273 commando in my 65 Barracuda with a 904 trans. If i get 25 mph, I'll be happy

[@SchoolforHackers]

Mpg?

[@bigwrenchtech]

A Wednesday DDG! What a treat. The mid week hurricane special

[@duanebiesterfeld4719]

Your 273 cubic inch motor may have 57 CC chamber heads. 920 is the last three digits of the casting number for a 1967- 318or273 cylinder head. A 318 has a 57 CC chamber and it comes out to 9.5 compression ratio. Chrysler 318 had three different chambered heads. Starting in 1970 to 73 they used a 60 chamber. That decreased the rear wheel horsepower from 230 to 170. In 1974 they increased the chamber size to 63 CC's and it dropped the horsepower to 150. 340 and 360 engines have 65 cc chamber heads. Put some 57 CC Chambers on a 360 and see what happens! Chamber size matters way way more than port and valve size!!! Make a 360 8.8 compression into a 9.7 or better. Close Chambers don't knock and ping like open chambers. Close Chambers at 9.7 don't need premium fuel if time right. This really really works!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m the guy that keeps telling other people the wonder of putting 318 heads on a 360. Haha.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Excellent!

[@LP23D6]

Good video. 64-69 for the 273. Solid flat tappet through 67 68 and 69 went hydraulic cam along with cast crank. . Your valve covers on the wall are 67's. A D4B is for 64 and 65 heads. The intake bolt size and angle changed in 1966 to the size and angle all LA's used until the Magnum engines were used.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah. That.

[@kevinbrucestevens7747]

Great job.

[@samuelgoodman2825]

Right on man.

[@nikolashaidar7890]

Do it 😤....273's are rare nowadays 🤔 Do it 😤👍

[@clembob8004]

A 273 for economy is a GREAT idea. For performance, not so much, although it's always interesting to see how much performance can be squeezed out of a small engine like this.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Not good for economy. I can attest to that.

[@clembob8004]

@@LongIslandMopars They should be,. A 318 isn't bad. I would think in an A body with the right gearing it shouldn't be bad. I have had stock 318s that get over 20, so a 273 should be capable of at least that.

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@clembob8004 In an A body, maybe. Mine is in a 66 Coronet crew cab with a 2.94 gear and Torqueflite. It's a heavy car to move with a little 273. I also think the cam I put is not for economy. I did my research and a group of people looking for something close to the original Commando cam recommended the Isky E-4. May be good for power but it sucks for fuel economy. My 74 Charger has a bone stock 318 2bbl and is like a Prius in terms of fuel economy vs the Coronet. Also has a 2.76 gear and much more aerodynamic.

[@clembob8004]

@@LongIslandMopars Yeah, in a 66 Coronet I can see where the mpg just isn't going to be what you would like. Interestingly, I once had a 67 Coronet 4 dr with a slant six. It was NOT good on gas, maybe 17 at best on the highway, but it had 3.91 gears so it was an "around town" grocery getter. It was a really nice car though. I bought it for $200 in 1987 and it had 23K original miles and really nice condition. I drove it for 4 years and sold it for $400. I should have kept it, it was a really nice survivor.

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@clembob8004 Nice. My dad bought his 66 Coronet 500 SE crew cab back in September 1966. It was a leftover and mom liked it because it was dark turquoise. Dad wanted a white 66 Coronet 440 crew cab with a slant 6 but mom told him they must have a V8 for car trips. So, he got the smallest V8 possible. I still have his mileage book in the glove box. At best it got 17mpg with a 2.94 rear. Now I estimate it gets around 12mpg with the rebuild and mild Isky cam. Runs great; just a pig.

[@LtFrankDrebbin]

The first Australian production car to offer a V8 as one of the standard options was the AP6 Valiant in 1965 and it was the 273. That carried on through the VC and VE models until the 318 was offered in the VF Valiant 1969. I think us Aussies embraced the two bubby Chrysler V8s more so then Americans.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I didn’t know that! That’s awesome. I need to learn more about what was going on over there in that time.

[@p38kris]

Nice! Just what I neeced to get through my hump day

[@dnfd737]

there was a guy that built and dynoed a 273 in a 66 barracuda, got 385 hp at the rear wheels, single 4bbl it was overbore huge cam j heads ect.......amazing run.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’d really, really like to see that.

[@dnfd737]

he use to go to car shows around here, I'll look for him this year and take lots of pics for you.@@DeadDodgeGarage

[@bobbyz1964]

Did a 273 over the winter, with the crazy idea of installing it in a W250 for gas mileage. You wouldn't believe how many idiots said it'd get horrible mileage because it's too small. Apparently, unaware 225 Slants got good mileage in pickups? The 273 was rebored .030 at some point, and in good shape, unfortunately, two barrel flat top pistons are down hole about .040. Did some porting, put in a Summit K9600 cam, used 318 rockers and pushrods, a Weiand Stealth, (pretty much the same thing as your D4B or an LD4B) headers, a 500 AVS2. So the 3/4 ton 4x4 gets over 15 mpg highway now. Not bad for an over worked little engine. 😆 I'd love to pull it, deck the block to zero, mill the heads, and pop it back in to see if going from under 8 to around 9 to 1 compression or would improve mileage. But that's probably not going to happen.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have heads off this one now and was strongly considering decking it to being it to zero and get some compression and a good quench pad. But… I dunno, seems like a lot to do for a budget engine. That’s awesome! Yeah, if a slant can move one of those down the road, the 273 certainly can - stock or otherwise.

[@bobbyz1964]

@DeadDodgeGarage Does your's have flat top pistons? The Commandos had domed pistons. I didn't think to measure the compression height when I had it apart. Could be the .030 replacement pistons were shorter than OEM? My engine is a 66, the two barrels were rated at 9 to 1, and it's got less than 8. At any rate it runs great! Be a blast in an A-body. If it's got flat tops, and you have a machine shop that won't bend you over, I'd definitely zero deck it, then use a .040 gasket to set the quench. Of course they'll want to hot tank it, line hone it, replace the cam bearings and it'll cost you a damned fortune. 🙄

[@66barracuda]

I have the 4 speed setup with hurst, 273 Charger and sure grip. Fun little car. But not fast or quick by modern standards.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome! None of these muscle era cars are fast by modern standards…

[@rodneybyrd9516]

I'm not big on 273s, but rather robbing them for forged crankshafts and skinny floating-pin rods for peppy 318 builds. The rocker gear goes without saying, as I love mechanical flat tappet cams. The last one I did, I bored a 318 to 3.97" (.060" over) for 328" (baby 340) and used KB flat top pistons and a 282S Comp camshaft and Johnson lifters. The 273 or early closed chamber (1967) 318 heads will work but I used #302 heads, with 360 valves, enlarged bowls and deshrouding, and port matching the intake ports to 340/360 size. This gives a huge torque increase (velocity) and allows popular/common 340/360 AFB or TQ intakes.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Very nice. That’s an excellent combination. I too grab every set of the rockers that I can. The Poly engine is also a great source for the forged crank. They are floaters as well, or at least the couple I’ve been in so far had them.

[@rodneybyrd9516]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Yes!! Ironically, I have seen 3 broken crankshafts on MoPars in my 41yrs at this work, and two were cast (1992 Magnum 5.2L Dakota, raced HARD and a '72 Chrysler Newport 400 [yes the good early block!] granny owned and operated) and one was a forged '65 318 Poly Belvedere!! I still wouldn't hesitate to use one in a LA with some HP/RPM, and I'd like to use a A block with LA heads and a huge overbore someday.

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

Great lesson!👍

[@baerster]

@deaddodgegarage, have you ever visited Detroit? A great town. I have only been there twice and the most recent trip which was in May I got to do a tour of a Ford assembly line. I've never seen a real auto assembly line before and it did not disappoint. But also there are still wonderful abandoned factories around there.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No I haven’t. Some day…

[@fifthlomat717]

Although I don't like how hard to find 273 parts are, I do like the idea of getting the best mpg out of a small old school v8. My old fifth ave with highway gears, lockup 904 and stock 318 with headers, 70s ignition and a 70s carter bbd got 21mpg and would of been better with a small runner 4 barrel intake, weight reduction, some head work and proper quench.

[@davebollman3433]

Awesome idea

[@thomasward4505]

I saw one of these running and driving when I had my first job it was a Dart and I believe it was called a powerpack 273. I know it had a single exhaust with a chrome rectangular tip on the passenger side I believe. It did have a bit of a V8 sound for a stock car. I believe this car had no reverse in the transmission. I think this was 1979

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

Sir, why are you tempting me with Plan C when we’re already moving forward on Plan B? That’s just rude. ;) Love the idea of putting a 273 (Commando) into a Valiant. Clearly. Will be watching this project with great interest.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. That’s my bad. It’s a great option!

[@OrrinCahoone-dd4tm]

Off your rocker? Yes. Wasting your time ,no. Great little engine,way back when I beat the snot out of one and it kept coming back for more.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Sounds about right 😅 I just love them. And I’ve been saying for ages that you don’t need a bunch of horsepower or a ridiculous engine build to have fun with your classic Mopar - so I feel like this is a good way to put my money where my mouth is on that point.

[@dantupper1784]

Wow!-DDG on a Wednesday! - 273/4speed should be fun!

[@fastinradfordable]

Watching this on my Lunch break- I gotta fix a late model Audi with a misfire. Yay me. Yay Jamie!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yaaaaayy…

[@jamesford2942]

At 8:46, is that an Edelbrock TR5 tunnel ram intake? I'm building a 318 for my 70 W200. Keith Black pistons.030 over, 302 casting heads lightly ported, Speedmaster roller rockers 1.6 ratio, haven't settled on the cam spec's yet. For intakes I have a 2 barrel single plane, early 2 barrel dual plane, late 2 barrel dual plane, 4 barrel spread bore with a square bore adapter, Edelbrock TR5 tunnel ram. For carburetor's I am going with a pair of AVS2 Edelbrock carbs. It will be fun checking out the performance differences between the intakes.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes! TR5 dual quad tunnel ram. I also have an Edelbrock dual quad short intake now, don’t remember the model number. Tom (my employer) recently acquired another TR5, and I’m trying to decide if I need a second one. I just love them.

[@stevetucker7582]

I love the 273 had one in my 1965 cuda put 340 wedge heads and themaquade on it it was a screamer

[@cliffweinan3907]

Small displacement V8 are cool. Long ago GM corp only allowed their brands < 300 cu in. The Trans Alm race series limited displacement to 302 cuz in which, z28 and Boss 302 raced in. Virtual every brand had a small V8; Ford 260, 289, Chevy 283, Buick 215 was among first aluminum block V8, Pontiac had 287.

[@mopartron3030]

I believe there's a nice mild solid cam you could use, the Isky E-4. If you're interested in bothering to change the cam.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Strongly considering. The E-4 is a good fit for what I’m doing.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Nice!!! That's what's in my 66 Coronet 500 SE crew cab. And i didnt even watch the video yet, but i will !!! Update: watching it now and when I rebuilt mine I got stock Egge pistons (30 over) and they suck. Should have put in the domed pistons and picked up more compression. The Egge flattops sit low in the deck and create less than stock compression. It runs great but has no spunk down low (has an Isky E-4 cam for a hint of lope and high rpm fun). Sucks gas like a big block even woth thr 2bbl. I blame the cam overlap and mild compression.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ugh. That’s definitely not what I want. If anything, a compression boost but the mildest of cam upgrades might be the ticket for me. It will be interesting to see what is in this one now. I’m thinking stock everything, but we’ll see.

[@LongIslandMopars]

@@DeadDodgeGarage After 201k miles, it was burning a quart of 20w-50 every 100 miles. Oil rings were gone. The engine thought they'd have to go 40 over but the cylinders cleaned up at 30. His recommendation was to go stock compression since 10.5:1 on the bored out block might have given me other problems down the road. Since dad bought the car new and I grew up in it, I decided to rebuild it the way dad would but took liberty with the cam. I even picked up a factory 273 4bbl intake but never got a small AFB 4bbl to put on it. Right now it runs a factory 2bbl. It's a jewel of an engine and given its family history, I never wanted to swap it out for something else. My dad loved that car and drove it for 30 years straight before it got parked in the garage until I inherited it.

[@Ripsaw17]

curious about 273 always wondered if you could get good power out of it I've seen people build and turbo a slant 6 so I guess it's possible you can get decent power out of a 273 I'll stick to my favorite small block which is the 340 I know those make wonderful power

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh hell yeah. The 340 is awesome. The 360 can really be respectable too - and they cost so much less to start with.

[@clembob8004]

Yep, the 340 is my favorite too. I have 2 340 cars - a 69 Dart Swinger, and a 73 Roadrunner. Love 'em both.

[@Winslow273]

Didn't the intake manifold bolt angle change for the 66 model year?.... i know ads state that 64-65 intakes fit only on 64-65 heads etc. I have a 66 4bbl 273 and it seems to have the bolts perpendicular to the mating surface of the head.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes, that is correct. I had thought that intake pattern stayed through ‘66 but I was mistaken.

[@BlindBatG34]

My '65 Dart with a slant and a a833 is fun to drive around town. Add more horse powers and better MPGs for not much weight while not immediately grenading the 7.25? Sounds like a plan to me!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

An excellent plan!

[@shaneconrad7816]

Did the Poly head flow as well as the Wedge head for a given displacement?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It actually had better potential than the wedge head. That potential was never realized by Chrysler. The wedge was cheaper… so it won.

[@shaneconrad7816]

@ poly headed 273 would be sweet in one of your A body rat rods? That would be a rare sight to see. I love mopars from the 60’s/70’s. Had a 68 charger rt 440 in high school. Looked at getting a Charger when i retired two years ago. Price for a beater out in west Texas was unbelievable and resto parts even more so. Not enough disposable funds on hand to complete. So i watch your vids and dream.

[@HiAxl]

I just picked up a barracuda with a 273 and need to figure out if and what I can do to get the most out of it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

There are definitely things that can be done. Mild head work, cam and springs, intake and carb, exhaust (if you have room for it - the ‘64-66 cars are very limited there.) But you will always be limited by the bore size. We had one of those in a Duster of all things and that engine seemed pretty peppy right out of the box. So make sure it’s running on eight cylinders and timed correctly first.

[@HiAxl]

⁠@@DeadDodgeGarageHey thx for the response and advice. I missed this comment the first time around it seems. I really, really love the car & LOVE the 273 motor. It has a great sound and gets the job done just fine. I may just keep it as a fun cruiser & try hot rodding something else more affordable eventually.

[@ItsMarket27]

On the cylinder heads between the intake ports, what is that upside down U shape passage way?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s an open area to allow air cooling of the central exhaust crossover port that heats the bottom of the carburetor and the choke stove. It does not get sealed or covered by any gasket or anything else, and it is common to all LA heads.

[@r.davecarr6010]

Can the 273 adjustable valve train be used on the other LA family engines?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Absolutely! Requires the matching 273 pushrods with the sockets on one end for the rocker arm adjusters.

[@r.davecarr6010]

@@DeadDodgeGarage always thought it an inexpensive way of getting an adjustable valve train in an LA.

[@peacemaker6156]

I had a 283 chevy that was my favorite chevy engine. Now i have a LA 318 that i really like. That 273 sounds very intresting. Where can i get one ?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well they’re a little harder to come by than the ubiquitous 318. But they’re out there. Mostly found in early A bodies and such.

[@carebear2272]

Ahhhh, I might need your help! The shop may have lost my gauge cluster for my 68 charger, I’m freaking out! I had a tic toc tac in that thing! I’m trying not to panic, hope it shows up! 😱

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Sheeeeeit… just make sure they know what those cost.

[@carebear2272]

I know, I did, I did a good job of bagging and tagging everything, but misplaced my inventory and was starting a new one when I delivered the parts but it was unfinished I remember and the friend that helped me remembers packaging carefully in a storage container, so I hope it shows up at there shop, maybe someone’s else’s box and my got put on a different shelf ahhh, I don’t want my charger to have a bunch of pug and play crap put into it

[@carebear2272]

They found it, put on the wrong shelf, yea!

[@Ripsaw17]

Always like the 327 in the Chevy

[@cowthedestroyer]

People forget you could get good mileage back in the day compared to now were you can have great mileage and power. Well good mileage if you keep the brink off the floor

[@LongIslandMopars]

273 in a b body like mine is terrible on gas

[@Ripsaw17]

Your Chrysler likes to share a lot of stuff which makes it really nice and even the Magnum engine the 39 the five to the 59 and I'm sure it probably fits a few other engines

[@Motociclista760]

So Commando just had dome pistons and crome goodies? My 4.5 will bark them. Crazy how it gets down the road.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Domed pistons, more aggressive cam, presumably springs to match, four barrel manifold, Carter 4 barrel, and the special valve covers and air cleaner.

[@randylenart9674]

Just bought a 65 Bairacuda with a 273 hurst four speed very beautiful car tried to buy one when i was younger and the guy just wanted it to rust away in the driveway

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Very cool! That’s what I am putting together with my ‘66!

[@barryrussell4106]

Wow I want one

[@Youtubecensoredmyusername]

I feel like I’m listening to Fred from roadkill but mixed with a lil freiburger too. 👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I like both of those guys! I’d definitely count them as influences.

[@Youtubecensoredmyusername]

@@DeadDodgeGarage me too, subbed!

[@bobnuttall9203]

I can dig it

[@TimothyRussell-uv7uv]

273 will be perfect in your brothers old car and get great gas mileage.

[@noberet]

I'm so glad I found your channel!

[@1966-Charger]

One Chrysler engine I've never owned. Were they ever painted red??

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes, in fact they were (almost?) always painted red. I have no idea why both of the ones I have are orange.

[@1966-Charger]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Because people have no idea what they are doing? LOL.

[@1966-Charger]

@@DeadDodgeGarage My '67 Charger and '66 Charger's 383s were Chrysler turquoise. My early 70s 318s and 340 were never red. Was it an early 60s thing?