Barracuda engine swap (from 273 to what?)

Hey,

Unfortunately the engine in our Plymouth Barracuda from 1966 broke down, so we need to swap it. Right now it still has the original factory setup consisting of a 2-port 273 with a manual 833 behind it, but preferably I would like to swap the 273 for something bigger (and easier to get hold of in Sweden), but still keep the 833.

What kind of modifications do I have to make in order to swap the 273 for either a 318 or 360? Does the current flywheel/clutch work with a 318? What parts like generator, starter, etc do I have to change and are all the mounts the same? Or if I can get hold of a 273 commando, are it interchangeable with the current standard 273?

 

You can use a 318, 340 or 360, but the engine mount for the left side of the 340 and 360 will be slightly different. A small spacer can be used if you can't find the correct mount.

That said, Chrysler made about a jillion 318s that are reliable and a lot cheaper and easier to find then the 340 or 360.

 

Easy swap.

All accessories will interchange and bolt on.

Alternator, brackets, starter, hoses, etc.

Only issue may be air cleaner as the Stromberg carb on the 273 has a very small and unique air horn, but that is simple.

Although I am a Ford guy I have owned many 64-67 273 Barracuda's over the years. Long story LOL.

If we can help you, please feel free to contact us as we have many customers in Sweden.
LYCKA TILL

 

I believe the late 340 and 360's were externally balanced. So possibly rebalance on the flywheel, and run the correct balancer to motor up front.

 

318 is the same, 340/360 very similar (bolt in) but you will need a complete engine as the heads and intake manifold are different than the 273. As mentioned, 340s after 1972 and all 360s are externally balanced. May be tough to find a flywheel (I think we had this discussion not too long ago?) for the 360.

 

Thanks! Yea 318 are both cheap and easier to find so that what was I was thinking, but we are going for a 360 in our hot rod and thought it might be a good idea to put it in the barracuda and use the 273 as mockup for the time beeing for the rod =)

Will the flywheel from 273 work with the 318 also? I know I need an externally balanced flywheel for a 360 swap, but wasn't sure if the flywheel to 273, 318 and 340 where the same...

Good to know! Yea the air cleaner is no biggie =) Well I can't blame you for all the barracudas, it's a neat car! We had a 1965 before this one =) The engine had been swapped like ten times in that one before we got it tough, so never had an original 273 before, nor an 833. But are eager to learn since we intend the same setup in our hotrod.

Tack!

 

Thanks! Yea I have heads and intake manifold laying around so thats okey just as long as all the other parts are bolt on.

Yea that is correct, I started an other thread about a 360 and 833 setup the other week =) Can't remember if I mentioned the barracuda in that thread though, but now I am thinking that it might be easier to just get a 318 for the cuda and then worry about the 360 flywheel a bit later. Now that my brother is home from the states he can take a closer look at the parts we have tough. I cross my finger for an 360 flywheel, but think it is a 340 one...

 

There are also 2 different front covers and water pumps. You may have to mix and match some stuff there to get the pump inlet pointed the right way. In the late 80s, I did a 381 (.070 over early 360 with 340X heads) in my 68 Barracuda. All of this is coming back from very distant memories...

 

Only one motor for it ... HEMI!

 

If the 273 you have is a solid lifter motor save the rocker arm system for use on whatever small block Chrysler you use, they will fit all of the small blocks and even if you choose to use a hydraulic cam the preload on the lifters can be set which is an important thing if you use a performance cam.

 

340 six pack would be nice motor swap for you

 

318s are everywhere and you can do alot to them, Good luck finding a 340,

 

If you go 318 thats cool and good motor.If you could get a 273 commando,4bbl there hot little motors and not every one has one like the 318,s.If you go 318 or other v8 get all the pulleys that goes to the motor your swaping.Pulleys can be hard to match up if car had power steering,smog pump,a/c and as said in another post the water pump is diff on the 318.And watch for external ballance 318,s as your flywheel will need ballance or a 318 external ballance flywheel,from a truck.plus im sure of a few more things ive forgoten over time..........................YG

 

I'm guessin' you might need more than a motor mount spacer to copy this rig.

dj

 

273 clutch parts and bell housing will fit the 318 just fine.
273 Power Pack 235 HP is hardly worth looking for. Lousy heads.
If you want to upgrade a 318 when you find one let me know.
You can use the 273 adjustable rocker arms and push rods on the 318 also.

Nice to have especially if you want to upgrade to a solid lifter cam like the 273's came with.

LYCKA TILL

 

The swirl-port '85 - '89 heads are great (pre-Magnum) and perform best of the pre-Magnum small-block heads. These bolt onto any LA-318 block.

 

----
273, 318 and 340's were *all* internally
balanced. The 360 was tho only LA-series
engine that was externally balanced.

Mart3406
=====================

 

No, no, no....the 72 & 73 340 were cast crank engines and externally balanced as well as the later 318 (somewhere in the 80's)

.

 

73RR is correct, 72-73 340's are externally balanced.

A crate 360 based engine would be just the ticket for an early 'cuda.

Just sayin'

 

Converter is also different for the 360.

 

"that thing got a hemi?!?!?!....

 

Only the 1973 340 was externally balanced, as far as non-360 engines go. I've owned a few 340s over the years, and the two '72 Demon 340 cars I had were internally balanced 340 engines, with the original engines in the cars.

So, in short, a 360 will require the externally balanced converter (or flywheel), the right crank balancer, and the correct driver's side engine mount to install in your Barracuda. Any pre-Magnum 318, any 273, and any pre-1973 340 is a bolt-in swap in your car.

Personally, I'd go with a 5.7 or 6.1 late Hemi from a wrecked pickup or car and go to town with it, but this is outside the purview of the HAMB, so...

 

the 5.9 or 5.2 magnum motors are the ticket buy an Intake and bolt on and go

 

Big issue with early a ;body....the exhaust manifolds are pretty restrictive.....and the front rims[/QUOTE] is fairly narrow......not sure if tti offers headers for under chassis

 

The 273 probably has a 10" clutch behind it. I put a 318 in a Valiant that had a 273 somewhere about 25 years ago when parts were readily available. The flywheel will bolt on to a 318 but the biggest clutch it will take is the 10". This flywheel is actually the same size as a slant 6. It is a bunch lighter than a 318 flywheel. Being a 10" clutch clamping force is limited. I had a clutch rebuilt using heavy duty springs. Some slant sixes had the 10 inch clutch but the pressure plate came with only 9 springs instead of 12, 3 spots being vacant. The best way to tell if you have the 10" clutch is to look at the pressure plate and see if the clamping area has reliefs in it to clear the bolts holding the plate to the flywheel. The shell of the pressure plate will also have reliefs (cut outs)to clear the bolts. A 10.5" clutch has no such reliefs. Get a 318 bellhousing made for the 10.5" clutch. It will look almost the same as the bellhousing for the 10" clutch except the starter mounting stud and bolt hole will be in a different location to accomadate the larger flywheel. If you get the 10" clutch built it will work good plus the engine will seem a bit crisper due to less weight in the clutch assembly. I ran mine for quite a few years with no trouble except the rotating arm assembly to release the clutch had to be reinforced to hold the stiff springs in the clutch. It liked to split the tube. 64-65 273 had this flywheel. Maybe 66s too. I've been asleep too many times to remember all the fine details.

 

Actually the 273 2V engines in A bodies had a 9 inch clutch.
The flywheel is drilled for both the 9 and the 10.

 

from a Cuda guy....just be wise on the 64-66 body cars - there is not much room for a good set of headers - unless you go with the fender well headers....just saying - you build a big motor - it's going to have to breath - out....as well as in...the left side is the hard side - you can't fit 67 up stock manifolds in there....has to be 64-66 on the left side....there are under car headers but they aint cheap.....send me a PM if you need some body parts....

 

eons ago i stuck a 383 or 440 IN A BARACCUDA WAS a tight fit but cut the tin off around the steer column and got it in had a lot of hairbrained ideas and somewhat sloppy work in those days of youth, that was just one of many engine swaps that proabbly were a crime agains nature and i was a piece of work to get along with then ,with the PTSD and all

 

The 273 had a cast iron water pump, the 318 was aluminum. Don't remember if the 273 pulleys/brackets fit/align with the 318-360 motors. It's been a few years.

 

TTI makes a great heavy wall coated under car header for a 360 in a Cuda, but they go in first before the engine. Recomend pre-running and tuning before install to prevent cooking the coating. And Schumacher (1-206-364-7151)has a engine mount kit for around $150