'68 Idler Arm in '67

I know this has been discussed repeatedly but what I didn't find in any posts during my search was fabricating the correct "top" portion of the mount on my '67 K-frame to use the bolt through '68 idler arm by using the original "bottom" mount currently holding my '67 idler arm. I bought a new Moog '68 idler arm (made in the USA, shockingly) and when placing it side by side to my original '67 idler arm I cannot see a difference in the bends, drops, length etc.. between the two. If all of those things are equal, why cannot I simply weld on the side and top for a '68 idler arm mount and continue using the bottom mount currently holding the '67 idler arm? I've read of the center links between different starting in '68, pitman arms being different etc.. but if the '68 has the same overall dimensions and bends why won't it work as long as I can securely mount it in the '67 K-frame, using the existing '67 mount and welding the rest of the necessary pieces to the k-frame? I must be missing something basic so I am looking for some input. Thank you, JD

Idler arms early a vs 67 up cars | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum
You might want to ask @moparmat2000

I had a similar thought. Machine up a shaft that has the proper taper for the frame but would accept the 68 up arm, no upper support,

The 68-72 idler mount is one piece.

mid you want to add just a top piece you are going to have to fixture and mock that up.

Dana67Dart said:

I had a similar thought. Machine up a shaft that has the proper taper for the frame but would accept the 68 up arm, no upper support,

Click to expand...

I’ve seen that when someone will put a 68-72 idler on a 67 K-frame. The through bolt sandwiches the inner sleeve of the 68-72 against the k-member and a washer was put over the taper hole. Very Mickey Mouse. Poor idea. Better off just using the 67 idler. It was done by someone who didn’t know how to get (search for) a 67 idler.

Never say never. This can all be done. Here ya go. 68-76 idler arm mounting bracket is the same even though the K frame changes in 1973. Use a 68-76 idler arm mounting bracket, lop off the 67 bracket, build a jig with tight slip fit bushings "so theres no slop" off a good straight 68-76 K frame, viola 67 made into a 68-72. The brackets were taken from a rotted 68-72 V8 k frame and a 67 slant sux K frame was made into a 68-72 small block V8 K frame. All I lack is the motivation and time to stitch the idler bracket in. Then sandblast, prime, and paint it.

Heres the motor mount conversion jig. LH mount on 67-72 slant sux is the same as a V8. You remove the RH slant sux mount, bolt the V8 mount to the jig, and bolt the jig in place with K frame shoulder bolts. Weld the mount to the K frame, then unbolt. The templates are for more RH V8 mounts if I cant find good ones off corroded to **** K frames. Where I live theres more darts and scampers with slant sux engines than anything. Easier to mod to V8.

The '67 tab is roughly in the middle of where the '68 idler mounts, meaning that if you just added the upper half of the mount your idler arm would be an inch or so too high.

If you want the 1967 --- 1 year only --- Idler Arm ---
I have it Brand New.... P.M. me, as per forum rules....
Craig

Thank you for the offer for the ‘67 idler arm but somehow I have two, one being a spare. JD