What timing cover are you using with a 7.3 inch damper

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fat-360

fat-360

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G’day. I’ve bought this type of harmonic balancer, with the timing case pictured, balancer is 7’3 inch diameter, looks like it will hit the timing marks on the timing case before the balancer will go all the way on.
Any ideas?

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IMG_0152.jpeg
 
The early 273 timing cover uses the bolts on timing tab, not the casted one as pictured. 65
 
The water pump discharge will obscure that cast timing tab.

The bolt on places the timing marks on the other side.

Screenshot_20250108-110524_Photos.png


Screenshot_20250108-110524_Photos~2.png
 
Plymouth 65 said:
The early 273 timing cover uses the bolts on timing tab, not the casted one as pictured
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Up to thru 68.

But the bolt on timing mark might also interfere. You may have to make a custom one.
 
Ok, I’ll add I have a late model water pump too. Maybe I’ll re ask the question “ what timing cover do I use for a 7.3 inch balancer”….
 
WV64Signet said:
The water pump discharge will obscure that cast timing tab
Click to expand...
Without power steering you can JUST see the marks on the driver's side with the cast iron water pump.

I have a stock 67 273 with a 70 up cover so I have both marks, AND on a side note the two are not 90 deg apart. So if the marks on the damper are designed for a pre 70 SB they will be off with the 70 up cover and visa versa.
 
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fat-360 said:
Thanks. Tho not relevant.
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Yeh, it is relevant. He thought you were setting up an early engine, at the time he posted that, you had not mentioned you are using a late water pump. These little details are important. MY question is, IS this balancer alleged to fit a SB or is it maybe for a B/ RB? Otherwise, I see no solution other than either using the early cover, or maybe cutting off the later cast tab and having the cover somehow plugged, not sure you can weld that "pot metal" alloy, or mill it flat and use a screwed on gasketed patch

The other possible issue with that big balancer is thickness front to rear. What is that going to do with the pulley situation?
 
67Dart273 said:
Yeh, it is relevant. He thought you were setting up an early engine, at the time he posted that, you had not mentioned you are using a late water pump. These little details are important. MY question is, IS this balancer alleged to fit a SB or is it maybe for a B/ RB? Otherwise, I see no solution other than either using the early cover, or maybe cutting off the later cast tab and having the cover somehow plugged, not sure you can weld that "pot metal" alloy, or mill it flat and use a screwed on gasketed patch

The other possible issue with that big balancer is thickness front to rear. What is that going to do with the pulley situation?
Click to expand...
Where did I say I was setting up an early engine? Now this will upset you, I have an early 273 pump with this case on a 410, with W2’s works fine.(period look for the car).
This is why I disappeared of this forum for so long….
Yes it’s a smallblock damper
 
fat-360 said:
Where did I say I was setting up an early engine? Now this will upset you, I have an early 273 pump with this case on a 410, with W2’s works fine.(period look for the car).
This is why I disappeared of this forum for so long….
Yes it’s a smallblock damper
Click to expand...
don't be so touchy, they're only trying to help :rolleyes: . if you didn't supply all the relevant info then suggestions can be 'as you say' irrelevant. take a breath and start again........ :thumbsup:
neil.
 
mygasser said:
don't be so touchy, they're only trying to help :rolleyes: . if you didn't supply all the relevant info then suggestions can be 'as you say' irrelevant. take a breath and start again........ :thumbsup:
neil.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I did supply all the relevant information. That’s all I wanted to know. I’ve been in Chryslers for over 30 years. I know what come out with what, that car in my profile picture makes over 600hp, and I built it.
I just want to know what timing covers are we using with a 7.3 inch dampener…..
 
I thought a 273 was an early SBM.
The cover shown is a very late one.
The balancer appears to be keyed for a passenger side tab.
If it was my problem, I'd mill off the Driverside tab and mig the hole closed. Then install the balancer, shimming it out as may be required, then Find whatever piston-TDC gets you in the ballpark on whatever side you care to use, and index the cover accordingly. Then when you go to set the timing, don't forget which piston you indexed.
Badaboom.
In your case with a calibrated balancer, you don't need a tab anyway; all you need is a fixed stationary reference point somewhere with any appropriate piston at TDC, that gets you visibility to the mark, with all the accessories bolted on.
I have had to, on old Dodge vans, put the mark on the very bottom and read the timing while laying on my back.
On others I had to take the doghouse cover off, and drill a hole in the Bellhousing, put #1 at TDC, then scribe a mark on the convertor in the center of the window.
Whatever it takes. The mark can be wherever you want it to be. Well, with an indexed Balancer, you are sortof limited to four places, two of which you will need to stand on your head to read, lol.
If that's not good enough well, you can always put a timing tape over it.
 
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fat-360 said:
G’day. I’ve bought this type of harmonic balancer, with the timing case pictured, balancer is 7’3 inch diameter, looks like it will hit the timing marks on the timing case before the balancer will go all the way on.
Click to expand...
So you bought 2 parts that you say are not compatible.


several people pointed out that the early timing cover up to 68 does not have a cast in timing mark so perhaps your damper will fit with them.
Plymouth 65 said:
The early 273 timing cover uses the bolts on timing tab, not the casted one as pictured. 65
Click to expand...

Then you add that you have a late (IE aluminum) water pump and ask again which cover you should use
fat-360 said:
Ok, I’ll add I have a late model water pump too. Maybe I’ll re ask the question “ what timing cover do I use for a 7.3 inch balancer”….
Click to expand...

so I pointed out that you can use the 68 and older cover that does not have cast in timing marks
Dana67Dart said:
As mentioned 68 and older does not have molded in timing marks
Click to expand...

to which you reply:
fat-360 said:
Thanks. Tho not relevant.
Click to expand...

then you say this:
fat-360 said:
Well in Australia, this( whatever this is) is the only one available.
Click to expand...
So I guess you don't have a choice you will have to use the 70 up cover with the cast in timing marks and figure in a way to make it work.

have you ever thought it might be YOU?
fat-360 said:
This is why I disappeared of this forum for so long….
Click to expand...

64-68 timing cover NO CAST IN MARKS
1736556945440.png


69 (one year only) cover note the pass side cast in marks

1736556867233.png



70-72 cover note the drivers side cast in marks and the smaller front crank hole for a rear entry seal
1736557153255.png



73- 90? cover note the drivers side cast in marks AND the larger front crank hole for a front entry seal

1736557099000.png


ALL of these can be used on a SB


I really hope this helps
 
Get a 67 cast iron water pump and 67 timing cover with a simple bolt on tab.
I have a Trickflow 19010(7.010 dia) with a 69 cover.
 
on my 318 i used a 70-72 timing cover with the 64-68 iron pump and bolt on timing tab. my balancer had tdc marks for early and late covers/timing tabs (marks about 90 degrees apart).
neil.
 
fat-360 said:
Where did I say I was setting up an early engine? Now this will upset you, I have an early 273 pump with this case on a 410, with W2’s works fine.(period look for the car).
This is why I disappeared of this forum for so long….
Yes it’s a smallblock damper
Click to expand...
I DID NOT SAY you said that. In fact you didn't say WTF you have. How are we to know? Have fun and good luck.

I'll repeat that so you can read it. YOU DID NOT SAY WTF you had. But you already know everything there is to know about SB Mopars so have at it.

So far two of us have suggested you mill off the cast tab on the late cover and do whatever you have to do to plug the hole.
 
Dana67Dart said:
So you bought 2 parts that you say are not compatible.


several people pointed out that the early timing cover up to 68 does not have a cast in timing mark so perhaps your damper will fit with them.


Then you add that you have a late (IE aluminum) water pump and ask again which cover you should use


so I pointed out that you can use the 68 and older cover that does not have cast in timing marks


to which you reply:


then you say this:

So I guess you don't have a choice you will have to use the 70 up cover with the cast in timing marks and figure in a way to make it work.

have you ever thought it might be YOU?


64-68 timing cover NO CAST IN MARKS
View attachment 1716350975

69 (one year only) cover note the pass side cast in marks

View attachment 1716350973


70-72 cover note the drivers side cast in marks and the smaller front crank hole for a rear entry seal
View attachment 1716350977


73- 90? cover note the drivers side cast in marks AND the larger front crank hole for a front entry seal

View attachment 1716350976

ALL of these can be used on a SB


I really hope this helps
Click to expand...
Quite passive/aggressive there aren’t you?
You’ve shown me more timing cases in your post than I’ve ever seen. I have the one in the picture,and the one on my W2 engine. Same, and I run a 7 inch Romac on that.
I’m in Australia. Do me a favour and have a look at what our suppliers have over here. You’ll find the timing cover I’ve bought, is the most available (actually the only one, apart from one billet jobbie that this engine isn’t worthy of). Same with the balancer, it’s the most available other than stock.
And don’t say summit or jegs etc…. Our dollar is rubbish atm…
 
fat-360 said:
You’ve shown me more timing cases in your post than I’ve ever seen
Click to expand...

fat-360 said:
I’ve been in Chryslers for over 30 years. I know what come out with what, that car in my profile picture makes over 600hp, and I built it.
I just want to know what timing covers are we using with a 7.3 inch dampener
Click to expand...
Not sure how I'm being passive aggressive, but what ever!

For someone who has "been in Chrysler for 30 years" you don't seem to know much.

Have you considered contacting the damper manufacturer and ask for what they recommend?

They built it and so there must be a cover available that will work.

Lastly many of us have no problem using used parts.

Have a great day.
 
Dana67Dart said:
Not sure how I'm being passive aggressive, but what ever!

For someone who has "been in Chrysler for 30 years" you don't seem to know much.

Have you considered contacting the damper manufacturer and ask for what they recommend?

They built it and so there must be a cover available that will work.

Lastly many of us have no problem using used parts.

Have a great day.
Click to expand...
Ya haven’t quite worked out, I’m in Australia. Not a great deal of used parts, any that are about they want top dollar for.
And don’t start **** slinging….
 
I got it that you are in Australia, and I get that everything is more expensive for you, but you can buy used parts from people all over the world and they will ship them to you.
 
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