5.9 Magnum engine timing cover swap

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nearpar

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I am putting together a Magnum 5.9 engine with a V-belt system for my 65 Dart.
I put a small block timing cover off a 73 charger on it, however, the Harmonic balancer
will rub the timing tab. Do I need to get the older 273 timing cover without the tab to make this work? any suggestions?

Thank you in advance

20190322_170034.jpg


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Hi nearpar,

Just finished this conversion. Here's the cover I used. No problems. I suggest you outline the timing marks after you have painted the cover and before you put the engine in the car. Makes the marks much easier to see when setting timing.


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MOPAR Aluminum Small Block Dodge Plymouth Mopar 318 340 360 Timing Cover
 
Hmmm? I'm in the process of doing the same thing with a 5.2 magnum motor. My balancer ( 7 1/4" diameter ) doesn't hit my cover tab. Same timing cover as you have - I think. The 5.2 Magnum is an internal balanced motor. Not sure on your 5.9? Assume you are replacing a LA with a Magnum motor? I am replacing a /6 ( which had A/C and PS ) with a 5.2 and running in to lots of other issues that you may or may not run in to. Also changing over to the later style A/C compressor, which involves modifying the rear A/C mount ( pic ) so it will work with the Magnum style intake bolt pattern. Other issues I am having are the P/S pump and the alternator mounting. Going with a GM alternator. I should end up with a 2 V belt system. One to run the water pump and alternator and one to run the A/C and P/S pump - if I ever get the right brackets and pulleys. John

DSC01912 - Copy.JPG


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DSC01915.JPG
 
I am putting together a Magnum 5.9 engine with a V-belt system for my 65 Dart.
I put a small block timing cover off a 73 charger on it, however, the Harmonic balancer
will rub the timing tab. Do I need to get the older 273 timing cover without the tab to make this work? any suggestions?

Thank you in advance


Here's my "bullet" just before install. Magnum to LA conversion ,2 belts. Bouchelon supplied PS and alt brackets, early Mopar Chrome valve covers, Chrome unsilenced air breather assembly.


img_0597-jpg.jpg
 
What about the fuel pump eccentric, or more so the fact it doesn't exist?
 
Assume you mean LA to Magnum. Did Bouchelon supply the Pulleys also?
Yes !! Sorry, typing without checking.LOL !!

Actually , LA timing chain cover on a Magnum Engine.

Yup, Pulleys and brackets and chrome bolt package.
 
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What about the fuel pump eccentric, or more so the fact it doesn't exist?

Installed it when rebuilding the engine.

Here's a video of the first fire-up.




2nd Video




 
Last edited:
I am putting together a Magnum 5.9 engine with a V-belt system for my 65 Dart.
I put a small block timing cover off a 73 charger on it, however, the Harmonic balancer
will rub the timing tab. Do I need to get the older 273 timing cover without the tab to make this work? any suggestions?

Thank you in advance

View attachment 1715307979

View attachment 1715307980
OK here are some pictures of the front balancer going to hit the cover. So...does anyone have Ideas?
 
Hmmm? I'm in the process of doing the same thing with a 5.2 magnum motor. My balancer ( 7 1/4" diameter ) doesn't hit my cover tab. Same timing cover as you have - I think. The 5.2 Magnum is an internal balanced motor. Not sure on your 5.9? Assume you are replacing a LA with a Magnum motor? I am replacing a /6 ( which had A/C and PS ) with a 5.2 and running in to lots of other issues that you may or may not run in to. Also changing over to the later style A/C compressor, which involves modifying the rear A/C mount ( pic ) so it will work with the Magnum style intake bolt pattern. Other issues I am having are the P/S pump and the alternator mounting. Going with a GM alternator. I should end up with a 2 V belt system. One to run the water pump and alternator and one to run the A/C and P/S pump - if I ever get the right brackets and pulleys. John

View attachment 1715307801

View attachment 1715307802

View attachment 1715307803
Yes mine is a 360 externally balanced let me know if you find a solution, thinking of going to an older 273 timing cover without the built-in timing tab

20190322_170034.jpg
 
Hmmm? I'm in the process of doing the same thing with a 5.2 magnum motor. My balancer ( 7 1/4" diameter ) doesn't hit my cover tab. Same timing cover as you have - I think. The 5.2 Magnum is an internal balanced motor. Not sure on your 5.9? Assume you are replacing a LA with a Magnum motor? I am replacing a /6 ( which had A/C and PS ) with a 5.2 and running in to lots of other issues that you may or may not run in to. Also changing over to the later style A/C compressor, which involves modifying the rear A/C mount ( pic ) so it will work with the Magnum style intake bolt pattern. Other issues I am having are the P/S pump and the alternator mounting. Going with a GM alternator. I should end up with a 2 V belt system. One to run the water pump and alternator and one to run the A/C and P/S pump - if I ever get the right brackets and pulleys. John

View attachment 1715307801

View attachment 1715307802

View attachment 1715307803
Nice valve covers where did you get them? Mancini?
 
Yes mine is a 360 externally balanced let me know if you find a solution, thinking of going to an older 273 timing cover without the built-in timing tab

View attachment 1715307982


That looks to be the the same harmonic balancer Im using. I will check the p/n of my balancer for you as I think i'm using exactly the same cover you are with no interference.
 
OK here are some pictures of the front balancer going to hit the cover. So...does anyone have Ideas?
1. That's not a stock 5.9 balancer. Did you measure the diameter and depth verses the stock one? Does the stock balancer have the same diameter as my 5.2 motor mentioned above? 2. are you sure it is going to hit? Is it all the way on - bottomed out against the crank?
 
What about the fuel pump eccentric, or more so the fact it doesn't exist?
Depends if you are running a long nose cam or a short nose cam. Long nose = you will have to buy an eccentric, washer and bolt. Short nose you will have to buy an extension kit. Hughes engines out of Washington, Il can fix you up. I bought my cam from Hughes and it cam as a long nose - I already the eccentric, washer and bolt. Of course, you can always block off the mechanical pump outlet and go electric.
 
Depends if you are running a long nose cam or a short nose cam. Long nose = you will have to buy an eccentric, washer and bolt. Short nose you will have to buy an extension kit. Hughes engines out of Washington, Il can fix you up. I bought my cam from Hughes and it cam as a long nose - I already the eccentric, washer and bolt. Of course, you can always block off the mechanical pump outlet and go electric.
Thank you John, that's the info I was looking for. Somebody does make the adapter to convert the short nose cam to do this. Do you have a part # for this application? And sorry about the "hijack" but OP may need to consider this too!
 
Thank you John, that's the info I was looking for. Somebody does make the adapter to convert the short nose cam to do this. Do you have a part # for this application? And sorry about the "hijack" but OP may need to consider this too!
Hughes # HUG7013 - $26. The kit does not include the eccentric, but I think they sell that also - separately.
 
What are you guys using for hardware to mount the LA timing/water pump to the block? I have the LA timing cover but no hardware. I assume the Magnum bolts will not work. Off topic but also looking for info on what intake manifold bolts (LA or Magnum)? EQ heads and air gap intake. Thanks.
 
I am putting together a Magnum 5.9 engine with a V-belt system for my 65 Dart.
I put a small block timing cover off a 73 charger on it, however, the Harmonic balancer
will rub the timing tab. Do I need to get the older 273 timing cover without the tab to make this work? any suggestions?

Thank you in advance

View attachment 1715307979

View attachment 1715307980

What diameter is that balancer?
I believe they need to be 7.25"
I used the same cover, and a profession products balancer on a 5.9 with no issues.
 
No, magnum bolts won't work with a LA cover. Got most my hardware from a hardware store. Grade 5 is more than sufficient. Just be aware that most bolts you buy from a hardware store come in 1/2" increments. Make sure that the bolts are threaded far enough so that they will draw up tight and not bottom out in a blind hole. I like to see about 3/4" of thread engagement.
 
No, magnum bolts won't work with a LA cover. Got most my hardware from a hardware store. Grade 5 is more than sufficient. Just be aware that most bolts you buy from a hardware store come in 1/2" increments. Make sure that the bolts are threaded far enough so that they will draw up tight and not bottom out in a blind hole. I like to see about 3/4" of thread engagement.

Just use your LA bolts, be very careful about the bolt length, there is a threaded hole in the front timing cover, if you put too long a bolt in it, it will crack a cylinder wall.
 
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