273 heads on a 318

SpcD1500 · #1 08-08-2009, 07:45 AM

Hey guys, i am still somewhat new to the site but i usally hangout over in the 2nd gen area. Anyway before i left for Iraq i had an 84 ram 150 4x4 i used for mudding. Well the mudding caught up with it and i blew the 318 apart. I was planing on putting another 318 in it but ran out of time and decided to scrap the truck before leaveing. I kept the replacement 318 though and am deciding if i want to find another 1st gen to drop in or just trying and sell it. The engine is out of a 68 Dart and when i was getting it set up for the truck (oil oan, pick up tube, waterpump, etc.) i noticed that the heads were not 318 heads so i ran the numbers and they are 273 heads. My question is have any of you done this or new if there are any gains to come from this?? Also the guy i bought it off of was maken claims that sence the motor was from the 60's it was rated at 250+ hp, any truth to this or was he just playing his sellsman post and blowing smoke??

sorry for the long post but i appreticate the help and info

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charlie1935 · #2 08-08-2009, 09:30 AM

The best I remember the 318 in the late 60's was 230 HP.
I think the 273 heads had smaller valves also.
Did you check the block to make sure it is a 318?

SpcD1500 · #3 08-08-2009, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the info, maybe it was 230 he said i dont remeber all that well but yes i ran the numbers for the block too and it has even though it had 318 stamped on the side i wanted to make sure so i checked them when i checked the heads. the reason i checked the the numbers was because i couldnt find a spark plug that would fit int the heads. the ones out of my 84 318 were to small and the ones that napa pulled up for 68 318 and 273 were the same ones but still wouldnt fit and i ended up having to buy ones that where almost twice the diameter of the others ones for some reason. I actually think it took a 1 1/16" or 1 1/8" socket to torque them down.

1996Ram318 · #4 08-08-2009, 10:19 AM

If I remember right, the 318 in the 1969 Fury made 290HP.

SpcD1500 · #5 08-08-2009, 10:55 AM

anyone think running this engine on unleaded gas would cause problems

nemesis_SS · #6 08-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1996Ram318

If I remember right, the 318 in the 1969 Fury made 290HP.

you arent thinking of the poly 318 from the Fury of the 1950s are you?

charlie1935 · #7 08-08-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpcD1500

anyone think running this engine on unleaded gas would cause problems

Probably pound the valve seats out pretty quick. Don't believe Chrysler had the hardened valve seats then.

1996Ram318 · #8 08-08-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemesis_SS

you arent thinking of the poly 318 from the Fury of the 1950s are you?

I made a typo, that was supposed to 1959. But I believe they had started using the LA by then. I`m not sure though. I`ll have to check it out.

charlie1935 · #9 08-08-2009, 06:08 PM

The LA came out in 1964 in the 273 version. 318 version came out in 1967. The 57 290 HP 318 was the poly head with two 4 bbl. carbs. I think that was the only year for it.