Ash Prasad

Hi,
I did a compression test on my 1965 Dodge Dart 273 and the result s were 150 on six cylinders and 148 on the other two. Do I need a rebuild? secondly I would like to install a bigger cam in it and in order to do so will the engine need to be removed. Last question is what would be the best cam to go with. This car will be only for cruising.

Thanks
Ash

Iowan

Welcome to the forum.
All cylinders are even and compression seams high enough, it the motor doesn't use oil you might be able to use a cam that will give you more torque.
Is the car auto or manual transmission and what is the rear end gear ratio.

Ash Prasad

thanks for the reply, The car is automatic and I have an 8 3/4 rear end and I have two options, I can go with either a 742 or 489. Don't know which would be better

Coronet 500

Great numbers. Do you know the numerical ratio of your differentials? Do you need help choosing a cam?

Archer

Ash -

Your numbers are good, and if the rear is stock, it's probably a 2.73. You can get a rough quesstimate by jacking up the rear of the car and, while in neutral/parking break off, rotate a rear wheel and see how many times the drive shaft rotates. Marking both with chalk helps.

Since everything else is stock, think twice about a can swap, unless you plan of changing exhaust and intake/carb later on.
No, you can change the cam with the engine in the car, but the radiator, etc will have to come out.

You really have to think big picture here and getting all the components to work as a unit is key to performance.

Archer

Ash Prasad

Right now the stock is a 7 1/4 rear end. I do not know the gear ratio but will check and post later on. Yes, I do need help with the type of cam most suitable.

TVLynn

definitely change the rear. I had a 77 Volare with a 318 and 7 1/4 had nothing but problems with it until at 30K (that's correct) miles I swapped in an 8 1/4

Coronet 500

Have a look at a Comp Cam XE256H.

Iowan

Me personally I would work on the tune up that is carb, timing exhaust and have everything as far as it can go then work on cam change. The cam that your going to be able to use in your 273 is only going to be a small improvement in bottom end power. The cam will be little more than stock. Not that there's anything wrong with that it's just a small displacement motor. A set of 3.55 gears would help you the most.