Plymouth 273 Engine Source

[jjsipes]

What would be the best source for a 273 small block for a 1965 Barracuda? Also what would be the best choice in a donor chassis? MCW says MPC 69 Cuda for chassis but was looking for more detail. Would Revell Dart or AMT 71 Duster be best since it comes with small block as well?

[jeffbrad]

The Lindberg Little Red Wagon has a stock building option and the engine is a 273 with all the right accessories for a 65 Barracuda. Plain valve covers, 2 barrel carb.,etc. Revell Dart is probably best from detail standpoint but you'll probably have to tweak it some.

Edited July 16, 2014 by jeffbrad

[ChrisPflug]

I believe the AMT Duster "street machine" had some valve covers that might look convincing if you're building a high performance 273

[Jon Haigwood]

I am building a replica of my 1:1 66 Barracuda and plan on using the 340 from the AMT 340 Duster kit the"273, 318, 340 and 360 are all from the Chrysler LA engine group

Not sure on a donor kit. A 69 Barracuda may be longer

[jjsipes]

Yes I am looking at the Hi-Po 273 Engine. Should have mentioned that.

[jjsipes]

Looking for valve covers to match these. 273 HiPo Small Block for 1965 Barracuda

Edited July 22, 2014 by jjsipes

[Tom Geiger]

This was my first experiment using an old built up chassis. This is the AMT '71 Duster chassis, under a '63 Valiant, which you know is basically the same car / same wheelbase as your Barracuda.

Here it is cut, note that if you plan the cuts right, the remaining ends butt up against each other requiring no putty, sanding or other fitment work. You can see the line if you follow where I cut back the wheel wells for my stock car build.

Here it is from the top. I basically pinned it together inside the rails using brass rod.

And don't forget the engine bay. There are a few differences in shapes from the '71 Duster to your 1:1 '66 Barracuda. You should see them easily, if they're important to you. Other than an owner, nobody else would notice!

BTW, I had a '65 Barracuda for 35 years!

Edited July 23, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[Jon Haigwood]

I found these for my 66 build pic is small but they look like the 273 valve covers you are looking for. In 64, 65 were basically Valiants with a Sports roof, in 66 the removed the Valiant badging on the grill and replaced it with a Barracuda.

http://www.madmodeling.com/store/ccp0-prodshow/Small+Block+Mopar+Peformance+Valve+Covers.html

Edited July 23, 2014 by Jon Haigwood