In a 1973 Dodge Coronet , the 318 was set at ( TDC ) with the automatic transmission
( a 1973 manual transmission equipped 318 was set at 2 and 1/2 degrees BTDC )
1998, 318 is fitted with a timing chain not a timing belt.
A-108 transmission.
If it's a M43 engine it has a chain.
27-33 shoot for 30-31.
( .035 inch ) spark plug gap for a 1973 Dodge 318 V8 engine , according to my Chilton book
should be close to 318/5.2
Valve timing is not adjustable on a stock engine. The timing chain is either installer correctly or not.
a 318 and 383 look totally different, I believe the 318 has the distribuetor in the back of the engine and the 383 has the distribuetor in the front on the passenger side. The 383, however, wasn't available in 1973.
any 4 speed tranny from a 340 engine will bolt to a 273, 318, or 360 engine as they are all the same engine block.
That is the timing chain cover.
1/4 MAX
The timing should be set at 12 degrees before top dead center. If this is a Canadian heavy duty engine, it should be set at 2 degrees after top dead center.