I am in the process of figuring out what parts I should buy...
My car is a '73 350 CI - L82, stock hydraulic camshaft. I don't rev it over 6000 RPM.
Oil pan is new, with a FelPro one piece gasket.

Note that at this point, I have not purchased anything.

I am thinking about changing the following parts :

Harmonic balancer,
Timing chain and gears,
Timing chain cover & pointer

Why I want to do this :
Harmonic balancer is 37 years old, so I think it's time for a new one...
When I removed the oil pan 6 months ago, I noticed some timing chain stretch, about 10 mm, so same conclusion as above...

I do NOT intend to change :
Camshaft,
Water pump.

I do not intend to remove :
Engine block !
Camshaft,
Radiator ( I've got electric fans, so no fan shroud ).

Let's begin with the tools :
I chose Summit Racing Harmonic Balancer Installation/Removal Tool # SUM-G1025 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...5/?image=large

I hope it'll make the job easy !

The harmonic balancer :
I want to keep the same diameter ( 8" ) as the stock unit.
This part seems correct for my application :
Pioneer Automotive 872003 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PI...3/?image=large

Of course, I will change the bolt and washer too :
ARP 134-2501 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AR...1/?image=large

Now, the timing chain and gear set. I don't need to advance or retard camshaft timing, but who knows, if I change the camshaft later, it could be an interesting option.
Here, I have a lot of choices, but this part looks fine:
Edelbrock 7800 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7800/?image=large

And the camshaft lock plate & bolts,
Summit Racing # SUM-G1792 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...2/?image=large

I hope this aluminum timing chain cover will fit the previous Edelbrock 7800 kit :
Edelbrock 4240 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-4240/?image=large

I also selected this adjustable timing pointer, even if the Edelbrock 4240 kit includes its own pointer :
Summit Racing SUM-163600 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...0/?image=large

Now, the parts I'm not sure I need to buy :
Do I need a cam button spacer ? Is it already included with the timing cover ?
Some of them are made of steel, roller, others are made of solid aluminum...
Summit Racing SUM-G001 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G001/?image=large

Summit Racing SUM-G003 :

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G003/?image=large


Can anyone confirm that the 3 keyways ( allowing to set +4°, -4° or stock timing ) are included with Edelbrock 7800 kit ?
Will the Edelbrock 4240 timing chain cover fit my stock water pump ?
Do I need to buy something else ?
Will everything fit together ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance.

 

I like all your choices in parts street race, its certainly a nice idea to change balancers after that many years

-i would say buy a romac balancer...piece of beauty and lasts forever . forget timing tape or dial back timing lights-these things come with every degree marked in easy to read markers and numbers.
-timing chain i would buy a rollmaster torrington double roller timing chain.
http://www.romac.com.au/
-even though your running a standard hydraulic i would buy the cloyes timing cover with the cam button adjustment so that if you go roller down the track its there.
(i hate buying things twice if i can help it.)
http://www.cloyes.com/HighPerformanc...S/Default.aspx

-balancer instillation tool is perfect and exactly what i use. this makes it a breeze.
-as for your choice of cover im not sure if it will clear but i cant see why not. if it didnt then it would be unusual and no cam button required if its not a roller cam.

just the usual gaskets , seals and vaseline for dampner installation and i think your in business.as an extra note after 5 minutes of running even a new timing chain will stretch..seems like its loose but its not. i think its just more of a periodic part to replace but generally if its a quality timing chain it will last years.

 

Yours is Street L82 w/ stock springs & cam ... you rev no more than 6K.

Do Not need cam button or torrington timing set. Neither do you need lock plate but it's cheap & easy to install.

The suggested australian parts are Very good; but note many pioneer dampers also mfg australia.

Note: most aftermarket steel covers don't fit pan correct, most aluminum don't fit short/vette waterpumps so well. Suggest keep your OE cover OR get a real good race Steel cover from CVProducts.com ... that's a real race supplier ... they also sell romac rollmaster & cloyes

For this, me thinks this timing set as good or better than edel but less $, plenty good for your use
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLO-9-1100/

Both cloyes 91100 & edel 7800 timing sets do have 3 keyways.

FYI, if you install timing set in advanced position, your stock L82 cam will gain a bit of low-to-mid range torque but will lose a bit of hi-rpm performance.

As said, all chains stretch rather quickly.

The pioneer damper you picked is degreed, as good or better than OE & plenty good for your use.

If you really must have an adjustable pointer, this will work fine & less $.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-4598/

 

Thanks for these tips and informations.

The Edelbroke timing cover notice says they sell the product with two special water pump gaskets thicker than stock,
so they should give enough clearance from ( short ) water pump to cover.

However, I won't probably buy the parts before Christmas, so it lets me some time to think about it...

 

Make sure pointer screws are not hitting on balancer. I installed this one and scratched my freshly painted balancer.

 

Thanks, I'll check it.