OEM timing cover, basically the same or significantly different?

[fairlaniac]

I'm building my 427 and not sure if there is a preferred timing cover? I have a '59 from a 352, '72 from truck and the original one on my '66 390 which the 427 will replace. I'm going to use a Romac balancer. I don't expect to be inside the timing chain area too much so I don't think I'll need on of Jay's design type covers.

thanks,

[Rory428]

Any of those 3 would work, the 59 cover will be stamped steel, and has a pointer made to work with the (almost) paper thin crank pulley. Not sure how well it aligns with a more conventional harmonic balancer. Main differances between the aluminum 72 PU unit and the 66 390, is the appearance.The 66 will have the timing pointer attached with 2 tiny screws, while the 72 will be attached have 1 small screw, and one long 3/8" bolt, which correspondingly has 1 casting boss longer than the other 3, while the 66 cover has the same short bosses and bolts on all 4 lower positions. I would use whichever cover looks to be in the best condition, since you are not building a date coded, all original combination.

[fairlaniac]

Any of those 3 would work, the 59 cover will be stamped steel, and has a pointer made to work with the (almost) paper thin crank pulley. Not sure how well it aligns with a more conventional harmonic balancer. Main differances between the aluminum 72 PU unit and the 66 390, is the appearance.The 66 will have the timing pointer attached with 2 tiny screws, while the 72 will be attached have 1 small screw, and one long 3/8" bolt, which correspondingly has 1 casting boss longer than the other 3, while the 66 cover has the same short bosses and bolts on all 4 lower positions. I would use whichever cover looks to be in the best condition, since you are not building a date coded, all original combination.

Thank you Rory!

[gdaddy01]

the gasket is not the same for the stamped cover .