[WANTED] early LA 273 timing cover

[Miranthis]

Need a replacement timing cover for a 1966 LA 273. Ideally a late 1965 date code (car produced 11/1965), but the highest priority is good water jackets. Can't use the later ones with the stamped in timing marks. TIA,

 

[65 Dartman]

I have one (date code unknown) BUT it’s still on the engine

 

[AJ/FormS]

The timing marks are NOT the problem.
A problem only exists if you do not know how to reconcile them to the TDC mark on your balancer, or if the marks end up in a place where you cannot read them. Either of those are just a minor inconvenience. Any LA cover fits on any LA engine, and every LA cover can be made to work.
But, if you really want an unmarked cover with a removable timing tab, which you still have to reconcile, I have a couple. I haven't looked at them in something like 50 years but I think I might know where they are. IIRC, one is off a 65 or 66, 273.
I also have regular LA covers, with integral marks on one side or the other.

As to the water tubes, the covers are aluminum, super easy to weld up and grind into submission.

 

[Miranthis]

The timing marks are NOT the problem.
A problem only exists if you do not know how to reconcile them to the TDC mark on your balancer, or if the marks end up in a place where you cannot read them. Either of those are just a minor inconvenience. Any LA cover fits on any LA engine, and every LA cover can be made to work.
But, if you really want an unmarked cover with a removable timing tab, which you still have to reconcile, I have a couple. I haven't looked at them in something like 50 years but I think I might know where they are. IIRC, one is off a 65 or 66, 273.
I also have regular LA covers, with integral marks on one side or the other.

As to the water tubes, the covers are aluminum, super easy to weld up and grind into submission.

I appreciate it. If you have a late 65 date coded one that does not have the water jacket galvanic corrosion I'd be interested. I still have my tab, etc. so just the cover, if you have one. THANKS!!

I do have a guy looking at the original cover fro just what you suggested. The problem is not that there are not hundreds of covers that would work, but that I need a particular cover, with a particular P/N if possible to accomplish what i am trying to do. It's not ignorance, as you assert, but part of a plan.

And yet, i COULD use a later one, or put a crate motor in it, or make it a hemi under glass. But none of that is what I am doing. I have my reasons. Sure it would have been cheaper to do a lot of things. If my engine builder could do it without my input, it would have been a hydraulic roller cam and switched out intake and carb. But, i wanted an original solid lifter cam, and Racer Brown made me one, and I am keeping my original commando intake and AFB4119s carb. I am not building a car so much as rebuilding a memory of my youth. Yes, i have had to make some choices, but when I have the option I gather data and I choose, based on a set of loose rules i have in my head for this rebuild. If that comes off as ignorance of the issues, well, that is a U-problem, not a ME- problem as we used to say. THe plan has been in the making since the mid 1980's and been through many iterations.

 

[blewbyu]

I have it will get pics tomorrow

 

[slapstickjim]

Pm sent