Duster centerlink question

Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 03:48 AM

Is the centerlink different on a 71 slant 6 and a
73 v8 car?

We have a 71 duster which was originally a slant 6 car, we swapped the K-frame to a 73-up style K-frame and stuffed a 360 in it. We're trying to hook up the center link and it interfieres heavily with the oil pan. Is there a V8 specific centerlink? Is the spool type K-frame centerlink different? What's the deal here?

Thanks for your help!

Craig

Posted By: MoparJoe

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:00 AM

Yes the centerlink is different on a /6 car, the V8 version has more droop to clear the pan.

Posted By: Neil

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:02 AM

Many moons ago I bought a so called V8 centerlink for a 70 a-body and it turned out to be the same part I already had. I don't know about the spool type k-frames.

Is it possible that you have it installed backwards?

Posted By: JonsGottaDusta

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:32 AM

I tried to install it both ways and it does not work.

It seems that the problem is that the hole are tapered the wrong way.

I need to find a v8. Does anyone have a close up photo of one?

Craig

Posted By: mopowers

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:42 AM

This may help

http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/linkage.shtml

There is a difference between a 71 and 73 centerlink as shown in the link above. However, it has nothing to do with whether it came on a /6 or a V8 car. The only A bodies that had different centerlinks for /6 and V8 cars were 66 and earlier A's.

Posted By: mopowers

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:43 AM

Quote:

Yes the centerlink is different on a /6 car, the V8 version has more droop to clear the pan.

Only on an early A (66 and earlier).

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:56 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Yes the centerlink is different on a /6 car, the V8 version has more droop to clear the pan.

Only on an early A (66 and earlier).

67-72 /6 and V8 centerlinks are the same. And 73-76 /6 and V8 centerlinks are the same.

Common mistake and something a lot of Mopar parts guys love to take advantage of.

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 06:04 AM

Quote:

Is the centerlink different on a 71 slant 6 and a
73 v8 car?

We have a 71 duster which was originally a slant 6 car, we swapped the K-frame to a 73-up style K-frame and stuffed a 360 in it. We're trying to hook up the center link and it interfieres heavily with the oil pan. Is there a V8 specific centerlink? Is the spool type K-frame centerlink different? What's the deal here?

Thanks for your help!

Craig

I've run a 73-76 Centerlink in a 68-72 K-member. I had to because I have a large spline power steering box.

I later converted to a 73-76 K-member. Used all the same suspension pieces, just swaped the K-member.

I didn't have any oil pan interferce and I didn't gain of loose any.

I have a 187? 68 oil pan

This a 68 oil pan in my 68 Barracuda with a 73-76 steering box, linkage, K-member, LCA's...

Attached picture 5261776-9_06FtSusp0004.JPG

Attached picture 5261776-9_06FtSusp0004.JPG

Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 06:11 AM

Quote:

Is the centerlink different on a 71 slant 6 and a
73 v8 car?

Yes, they are different, but not because of the engine, but because of the year. You have already figured out the difference. They are interchangeable with the proper matching parts.

Posted By: CokeBottleKid

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 09:37 AM

Ah didn't notice the pitman/idler entered from the bottom on the earlier A's.

Ok another question for you guys, they're running the 73-up style spool K-frame, should they also run the 73-up idler, pitman and centerlink?

Posted By: slantzilla

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 10:27 AM

You can run either the 68-72 steering or the 73-76 steering, but you have to use all the right generation parts. Either generation will fit the K-frame.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 01:06 PM

Quote:

I've run a 73-76 Centerlink in a 68-72 K-member. I had to because I have a large spline power steering box.

When you did that did you use a 73-76 idler arm along with the large spline 73-76 pitman arm? So is the kframe end of the 2 different idler arms the same?

Posted By: MoparJoe

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 01:46 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Yes the centerlink is different on a /6 car, the V8 version has more droop to clear the pan.

Only on an early A (66 and earlier).

67-72 /6 and V8 centerlinks are the same. And 73-76 /6 and V8 centerlinks are the same.

Common mistake and something a lot of Mopar parts guys love to take advantage of.

I used to think the same thing but my /6 '73 Duster had a straight centerlink, it also had 5x4 wheels which were not supposed to be around after '72.

Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 04:25 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Yes the centerlink is different on a /6 car, the V8 version has more droop to clear the pan.

Only on an early A (66 and earlier).

67-72 /6 and V8 centerlinks are the same. And 73-76 /6 and V8 centerlinks are the same.

Common mistake and something a lot of Mopar parts guys love to take advantage of.

I used to think the same thing but my /6 '73 Duster had a straight centerlink, it also had 5x4 wheels which were not supposed to be around after '72.

The later centerlink is flatter because the idler and pitman enter from above, not below. Late /6 cars with drums still had small bolt pattern.

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 04:54 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I've run a 73-76 Centerlink in a 68-72 K-member. I had to because I have a large spline power steering box.

When you did that did you use a 73-76 idler arm along with the large spline 73-76 pitman arm? So is the kframe end of the 2 different idler arms the same?

Yes the K-frame idler bracket location is the same. I used a 73-76: steering box, pitman, centerlink, idler

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Duster centerlink question - 05/30/09 05:03 PM

Thank you Autoxcuda