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I wondered about that as well.  By measuring everything as best I could (balancer off but oil pan and timing cover installed and engine in the car) I believe there is about 7/16" gap between the balancer and the timing gear once the balancer hits the timing cover.  Could be some combination of both I guess.  Anyone else had issue when changing out the timing chain?

Thanks for the reply!  So the outer ring has possibly shifted inward?  That would make sense in why it would hit the cover.  In looking at it there is a slight difference from the forward facing edge of the inner hub to the forward edge of the outer ring.   

The harmonic balancer on my '68 302 appears to be an original style though I don't see 3817173 anywhere on it.  It has the correct timing location and the "Y" extends all the way to the rubber.  I have run it with a minimal gap (1/4 inch?) out from the timing cover and the belts line up.  The pulleys are correct though the water pump is a '72 GM.  My issue is that the balancer will press against the timing cover before it bottoms out on the crank gear.  The timing cover has a 67 date but I thought 67 and 68 covers were the same for 302's.  The timing chain and gears have been replaced with a Cloyes double chain (not an uncommon product) which makes me wonder if that is the issue.  The crank gear is pressed fully in place and the timing chain is aligned.  Is there a certain distance the outer face of the crank gear should be from the nose of the crank?  Is the inner hub of the balancer supposed to be a certain length?  Laying a flat edge across the back of the balancer, the inner hub extends about 3/8" past.  The entire set up has been run without issue up to this point but I'd like to remedy this if possible.     

Is the chrome with pattern shifter ball original?  My friend put a used one (but 4 spd) on his 71 Z28 because he didn't like the stock piece.  This is the only other one I have seen that is chrome with a pattern on it.  Just wondering what they may have come with as stock items.  Certainly looks original here.  Please let me know if there's already a post on this.   

Sorry he doesn't have any contact info.  I tried Intelius.com and found a possible hit for both a person in their 60's and also their 40's.  Neither in Waverly but one had some very close towns.  Give it a shot.  Wish I could be more help.

Just curious since you have the POP have you tried contacting the original owner?  He may not be able to verify any of the information you are looking for but it can't hurt.  The guy I work next to is from Waverly IA and recognized the name when I asked him.  He is thinking the son is also named Rod and around 40 yrs old which means the dad would have been prime age to buy a new '67 Camaro.  Again just curious.  This was quite an interesting thread.  Best of luck!

Dave

Crank pulley 3858533 (double) 

If power steering also add single groove 3916385 at the crank. 

The pulley on the power steering pump would be 3873847

On a personal note 20 years ago my dad tried buying back the '70 LS6 Chevelle he bought new.  He had ended up with the original engine block after the local dealer tried scrapping it due to a "casting issue" that never checked out.  (The CE block was built into an LS7 that I still own today - 2nd design open chamber aluminum heads and all.)  However the guy who now owned the car wanted to buy the block.  Neither would give and my dad then realized this block was no more valuable to him than any other 454 block.  While he was offered $10,000 for the block he made a deal for a lesser amount because he felt it was more reasonable.  He also threw in all the original paperwork including the check he paid with.  You know your Z28 is worth more with the original block.  I only hope you are dealing with someone who will treat you right.   

Years ago I had a Chevelle with a "quiet" Pete Jackson gear drive and it made no sound at all.  But the sound of solid lifters is something I will always have in my Z.  Plus there's few things that sound tougher than the whine of an M-22 so drowning that out with a "noisy" gear drive would be a shame.   

Shipping to specific regions would make economical sense.  But the same truck that took Camaros from LA to the midwest might have just finished hauling Chevelles from KC to California.  And let me just say though I am new to this site it is great to see Camaro enthusiasts helping each other out!

Dave