Issues with pre - 70's 318 in a 73 Duster

Max1196 said

So in that case, the harmonic balancer would also have the timing mark in the incorrect place too, if there was to be a conversion to use the opposite side w/pump outlet, conversion would need :cover, balancer, w/pump and brackets. View attachment 1715334133

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The way around that is to use the vibration damper for the engine and crank that you are using and put the engine to TDC with a piston dead stop tool, then make your own marks on the vibration damper to match the marks on the timing chain cover...

I prefer to keep the proper vibration damper with the crank that it was originally made for and make a new mark vs swapping vibration dampers on cranks and risk having a vibration problem... That way you are not mixing vibration dampers from forged and cast crankshafts and having a vibration issue... Keep the vibration damper that was made for the crank together with that crank and make a new mark to match the new timing mark location on the timing chain cover... A piston dead stop tool only costs $10 and will enable you to mark the true TDC location on the crank to the timing marks on the timing chain cover... It's easy to scribe and/or paint a mark on the damper with paint or white out...


I covered this on page 1 of this thread, but the post above has pictures to make it easier to see what the issues are...

Post #9:

krazykuda said

You will need to replace the timing chain cover and water pump from the 67 318 with the one that came on the 73...

I would keep the 67 vibration damper on the engine, but the timing mark will be off... Just get a piston stop tool and find TDC and make a mark with paint or white out on the vibration damper to match the timing marks on the 73 timing chain cover...

Then you can use the 73 power steering setup and also use the 73 style alternator mounting brackets...

Now the water pump outlet for the lower radiator hose will match up with the one from the 73 and you can use the 73 lower radiator molded hose and stay away from the flex hoses...

Done deal...

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Post #21:

krazykuda said

Basically, use all the parts from the 73 set-up and just use the 67 vibration damper and make your own mark to match the new mark location on the 73 timing chain cover... It will save you a bunch of headaches... :BangHead:

If you still have the 73 engine and parts, you already have most of what you need and just get the piston stop tool to make a new TDC mark... :D

You will only need the timing chain cover and water pump gasket kit to change it over and then paint it to match... :steering:

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