Timing Chain Cover

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olddman

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Pulled the radiator out of my Dart last week to have it cleaned and a leak repaired. Since it was out I gave the water pump a check and saw that water had been seeping out of it. Went down to the parts house and got a new pump. While making one last snug down of the bolts I guess I applied too much force on the top bolt. Ended up cracking the top mounting hole on the timing chain cover. The whole upper half of the mount came off.
Now I need to replace the timing chain cover!!
My question is: Will timing chain cover from other size engines fit, or do I have to find a cover for the size engine I have?
Engine in my 1965 Dart GT is a Charger 273.
 
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All the LA aluminum covers will fit the engine, but, the timing marks may be in a different place depending on year. Your year came with a removeable gauge on the passenger side. In late '68 and '69 it was cast into the cover on the passenger side. In '70 it was cast into the cover on the driver's side. You can use your timing gauge with the '70 and later cover, just ignore the cast in gauge. The only other major change after that was in '78 when they went to a seal that can be installed without removing the cover.
 
Just got to thinking!!! The 273 that is in my car has the timing mark gauge cast into the timing cover on the drivers side, but it also had the removable (bolt on) timing gauge on the passenger side. How do I figure out what year the engine was built?
 
You can determine when the block was cast by the date on the block. The date stamped by the engine size on the left front of the block will be around the assembly date.
 
Sounds like it already had a 70 up timing cover on it. No 273s had timing marks on the driver side (I think).
 
I am not able to use a T bolt, the whole upper half of the mounting hole broke off. Good idea to try, but unable to with this.
Went out today and looked for numbers and this is what I found:
1. Stamped number on end of drivers side head: A 273 - 11 - 5
2. Casting number on drivers side of engine block: 2465330 - 1 ( From what I have been able to figure out this number is for 273 LA - series small block made between 1964 and 1966.)
3. Numbers I found on block on passenger side: 10 - 30 - 6 ( Do not know what these numbers mean.)
So I guess that if I can find a timing chain cover without the timing mark cast on the cover would be nice. If not I will just bolt the removeable timing mark gauge and go on down the road.
Any additional info about the numbers or other thing to check is appreciated.
 
olddman said:
I am not able to use a T bolt, the whole upper half of the mounting hole broke off. Good idea to try, but unable to with this.
Went out today and looked for numbers and this is what I found:
1. Stamped number on end of drivers side head: A 273 - 11 - 5
2. Casting number on drivers side of engine block: 2465330 - 1 ( From what I have been able to figure out this number is for 273 LA - series small block made between 1964 and 1966.)
3. Numbers I found on block on passenger side: 10 - 30 - 6 ( Do not know what these numbers mean.)
So I guess that if I can find a timing chain cover without the timing mark cast on the cover would be nice. If not I will just bolt the removeable timing mark gauge and go on down the road.
Any additional info about the numbers or other thing to check is appreciated.
Click to expand...
If that A273 is on the block and not the head, it's a '65 273 with a Nov 5th build date. I suspect that block casting date is probably 10-30-5 and not 6. Sometimes the numbers are rather crude and hard to read.
 
While you have the timing cover off, I'd replace the timing chain set if there's any slack in it, and/or, if it's not a double rollover.
 
My error, A-273-11-5 is on the block not the head. Will check timing chain for slack and replace if needed. In process of finding cover that does not have timing mark cast on cover.
Whenever I have a question about my car this is the best place to come. Somebody has an answer.
Thanks for everyone's help.
 
I sent you a PM telling you and with a picture that i have one with the separate timing tab on the passenger side ? I don’t know what else i can do?
 
So I guess this one must be the newer style. If ya' can use it, cheap.


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Thanks for the offer of a cover SGBARRACUDA, but I already have a replacement. It is for a 1964 through 1969 small block. Only problem is that it has a mounting hole that the late model cover does not have due to the timing indicator cast into the cover. Whoever replace the original 273 cover put a bolt in the engine block, cut it off and ground it down smooth with the block in order to use the newer cover. Now there isn't a hole in the block to use with the cover that is for early 273 engine. In order to use the proper cover I would have to use an easy out to try and remove bolt from engine. Or leave bolt in block and then tap mounting hole in replacement cover and install a short bolt just for looks. Other option is to purchase a late model cover, 1970 up, and install it. Would have timing indicator on wrong side, but I do have the bolt on timing indicator for the 1965 engine that I could bolt onto the passenger side of the cover.
Would like thoughts what others would do!!
Will take phots and post tomorrow.
 
You need to use the TC that matches your harmonic balancer to be able to set the timing. Or your going to have to find TDC and mark the balancer.
 
Not knowing how the cut-off bolt was sealed into the block, I think I'd just get a short bolt the right size and glue it into the cover for looks. This assumes there are no existing leaks that need to be dealt with on the cut off one. If it has any hint of a leak, I drill and remove it.
 
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