Next silly question V8 center link??

jjr426 said
So your duster is a 70 or71 right. And you had to put a 73 dart front steering system in it is that right. Did you put the whole front 73 up k frame in it or did it have the 73 up front k frame in it when you got it. If so that is the problem and difference in the center link. The 68-72 stuff doesnt mix with the 73 up stuff if you are using 68-72 stuff you have to use it all and if you are using 73 up stuff you cant mix it with the earlier stuff at least that is the way it worked on my dart when i switched it over. The 68-72 center link is different from the 73 up centerlink someone correct me if im wrong but that is probably why they look different. Justin

The 67-72 pitman/idler arms have the stud that goes through the center link from bottom up. The 73-76 pitman/idler arms have the stud that goes through the center link the top down. If you look at the drop in a 73-76 center link it will appear to have less than the 67-72 but the clearance with the oil pan is the same, its because of the side of the center link the ball socket of the pitman/idler sit.

The other difference between the two is on the 67-72 center link is the hole for the tie rod end is oriented front to back and if memory serves me thetie rod end sits towards the rear with the nut to the front. The 73-76 center link has the same top down orientation as the pitmna/idler arm.

The only clearance issues I noted when swapping my 68 over to the 73+ stuff was the orientation of the idler arm with a grease fitting pointing up comes very close to the header tubes on the passenger side. I thought I would have to dent the pipe put it has never touched even though it is very close. Maybe the 73+ stuff swings a different arc that makes more clearance for a big block. But in any case there was no difference between a 67-72 \6 and v8 center link and there was no difference between a 73-76 \6 and v78 center link.

It's hard to say how a 40 year old vehicle came from the factory. Chrysler was notorious for using up parts or using things that fit but weren't spec'd so pretty much anything is possible. Also, in the 40 year life who knows what may have been swapped in for what reason.