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  #1  
Old 08-02-2006, 08:38 PM
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ram50rocket ram50rocket is offline
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Default 273 info please

Hi, I want to put a small and lightweight V-8 in my 89' Ram-50 pick up. Any info on the chrysler 273 besides what allpar.com shows would be helpfull. I found one complete for $600. Anyone know what these things are worth? Is the 273 block all aluminum like allpar says, and is the 273 a hemi? I read somewhere there was a 270 and 276 hemi once. I know the 273 is an LA engine and very similiar to the 318 according to allpar. If anyone can lead me in the right direction that would be great. Thanks,
Jason,
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Old 08-02-2006, 09:44 PM
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The early HEMI engines came in many displacemnets and are nothing like the LA engines.
If you want to put a 273 in a modern truck, theres 2 things that I have to say. 1st is the earlier years of the engine have smaller attaching hardware (Bolts) for the intake and cylinder head. For sure the head to block.

The other is the 318-340-360 are the same size externally as the 273. Same package, bigger engine.
Think about it.

Otherwise, the little LA can do well, but IMO not great.
Performance parts have a limit to the engine. Bolting on a 340-360 intake may fit, but will perform poorly.

Valve size can not be increased unless 2 things are met.
1. A very hi-performance engine s is built.
2. Making use of the stock 360 sized intake valve (1.88) will only work if you notch the cylinder wall as described in the MoPar engines book.

Think about it. Your call on displacement.
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Old 08-02-2006, 09:46 PM
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Also, I can get a full Magnum 360 @ a local junk yard here in expensive New York. Computer included.
I have never heard of a Aluminum 273. Slant 6 yes. V-8, No. Not unless it's a race block for about $5,000.
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Old 08-02-2006, 11:48 PM
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Thanks, thats what I wanted to know, it's not aluminum. No point in making it harder for myself it's not going to be lightweight anyway. I also read on allpar that the 273 was originally designed as an aluminum engine for the desoto. My father-in-law had a 67' desoto and he said they came with different size hemi's. I might as well go with a chevy 283 now, but that's blasphemy to my little dodge. I guess I better get a book on smallblock mopar. Thanks again.
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Old 08-03-2006, 10:08 AM
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rumblefish360 rumblefish360 is offline
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Then start with the Factory/MoPar performance engines book. Then how to rebuild followed by how to hot rod my S/B MoPar.
Contact this place for possible additinal help. http://www.engine-swaps.com/
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  #6  
Old 08-03-2006, 11:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ram50rocket
Thanks, thats what I wanted to know, it's not aluminum. No point in making it harder for myself it's not going to be lightweight anyway. I also read on allpar that the 273 was originally designed as an aluminum engine for the desoto. My father-in-law had a 67' desoto and he said they came with different size hemi's. I might as well go with a chevy 283 now, but that's blasphemy to my little dodge. I guess I better get a book on smallblock mopar. Thanks again.

Allpar.com has a lot more misinformantion than it does usable info. Rumble set you in the right direction. Put a 360 in it, it's a tight fit and requires some mods to get it to fit, but it will go in there. And they are the same outside as a 318 and 273 as well. They are not that heavy and the 360 will make 400 plus hp easy with just a few correctly sourced bolt ons too. Get the Engine and CHassis manual from your local Dodge dealer or Mancini if they can't get for you quick enough.
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Old 08-03-2006, 12:33 PM
custom880 custom880 is offline
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The 273 is an o.k. engine for a D50. Thats a pretty small truck and the 273 was mainly in smaller cars. They can be made to perform decently but they do have some shortcomings. In my opinion no 273 (not even the HP engines) are worth 600.00 I agree with DWC and Rumble, go with a 318, 340, 360. All are external the same as the 273 and have better parts availability. Heck you could even go with a 318 Poly but I don't think it would fit well. I can't understand why you would want to go to the trouble of putting a 283 in your Mopar. certainly not for any power gains, certainly not for the gee wiz factor, certainly not to impress your Mopar buddies. But it's your truck and you have to do what you feel is right.
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Old 08-03-2006, 07:56 PM
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The poly wont fit. The 360 just barely fits and still needs some cutting to get it all in there. IT will be a job to do, it wont just fall in there and bolt up. I used to have some pics of one that was installing in the D50, but it's lost on the old PC that took a dump on me. Anyone got a cheap HD with windows XP on it they wont to sell cheap ??
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