On the crankshaft vibration dampers, found 1975 and 1976 timing marks to be at about 1/2 inch or 6 degrees clockwise (as viewed from the front) of aligning with the bore key way. But on the 1978, the mark is directly aligned with the key way. The 1975 and 1976 use the timing plate mounted on the timing cover, but the 1978 uses an enlarged timing plate incorporating a sort of "tube" that looks like it is for a timing light adapter that I am not familiar with. I will continue checking these 3 engines & dampers tomorrow. I know that the outer ring is mounted in rubber that may have slipped, but it doesn't look like it has. But my first question for now: should the mark on the 1978 damper actually be the same location as on the 1975 & 1976?

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"Louise", a 1976 Dart Custom project, (now sadly reverted to being just an "organ donor" to our other project Darts.)

The timing mark on the damper should not be different, but the stock damper for that setup is a cast crank 6 spoke damper....

The tube style cover is for 1979, and is to incorporate a probe to check timing that is inserted into the tube....

I actually have one of those covers on one of my hi-po engines which is a forged crank with a 3 spoke 1976 forged crank damper....the mark on the damper lines up with the 0 mark on the 0 to 30 tab at TDC.

Thanks! I think you nailed it for me.

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"Louise", a 1976 Dart Custom project, (now sadly reverted to being just an "organ donor" to our other project Darts.)

Just an FYI...
The balancer on my 79 super six has three equidistant marks on it. I thought it was odd, but I plan to verify TDC when I degree the cam and mark the balancer if needed.

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN