I need to replace the timing chain and sprockets in our 225 slant six. The car is a 73 Duster but I believe the engine is newer. The manual I have says to remove the vibration damper with a puller but do I first remove the large bolt in the center that threads into the crank? If so, how do I keep the damper from moving when loosening the bolt? Thanks.

What I do is: Take a socket and breaker bar and put them on the bolt. (Your motor may not have a bolt in it anyway) Then, rest the bar on the frame so that it will hold the bolt, and tap the starter ONCE. (Make sure of direction of rotation BEFORE you do this) The bolt will loosen up easily.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Thanks for the tip. Do I even need to take the bolt off to pull the balancer? Also, as I check into this further, I believe the timing chain is not terribly stretched because it moves less than 6 degrees before moving the rotor. It appears that the previous owner has the distributor in wrong or the distributor gear is worn. When we first got it, we tuned it up and timed it. Later, we noticed two bad valves and redid the heads. However, it is almost impossible to start. When I finally got it started, it was more than 30 degrees BTDC and of course, that cannot be adjusted out with the distributor. Anyway, now that I have tha radiator and all pulled, maybe I should go ahead and replace the chain and sprockets anyway?? Thanks.

6* total is not too bad. I personally wouldn't bother unless you think the stock nylon gear is coming apart. If the big center bolt is in there it will have to come out.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

You can get the distributor adjusted to the correct position. (6-8 degrees BTDC) You may need to loosen the bolt holding the slotted plate, this is under the distributor were you can not see it from the top.
In some cases you may need to move the distributor a tooth to get the adjustment into the range you need.
DD