From: mike myhrvold
Email: [email protected]
Date: November 26, 2001
Yes the timing chain is still available. Some parts have to special order it, but you can get a late model 318 chain and gears for about the same price as the chain to fit the original gears. The "LA" is for "light A" engine. The blocks were redesigned to cut weight in the newer, smaller cars. The crank, rods, distributer, timing chain and gears, water pump housing are interchangeable. The term "wide block 318" is a misnomer. The engines almost the same. Just the heads, intake and pistons are basically different.
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