I do not believe there is anything wrong with the fibre camshaft timing gear as the engine would just never run once out of time. and playing with distributer would make no difference. So yes i agree there is something strange going on with the distributor bracket or the distributor roll pin.
My bracket is still the original and covered in oil, dirt and crud. Not going to clean is off. it probably holding it together.

Good Luck
Ian 

G'day Glen
Welcome to  the forum. A little of topic but who Re cored your radiator. i am in need of getting this done soon. would be easier to send to NZ than USA if i had to. There is a place in QLD but i think his prices are way to high in my opinion anyway.

Ian

How is everything going. I hope you have succeeded and she is now running.
Ian

If the battery is a little weak it may cause it to back fire. due to slow cranking. I know with my engine in cold weather I do need to retard the timing a little otherwise she backfires. but once running I put back to full advance

Hey mate
Just wondering how u r going with it. Did u get her running.
Another thing to note is that u have the correct firing order at distributor.
1-3-4-2
To advance the timing u turn the distributor anti clock and retard is clock wise.
U might also have to remove the distributor and replace to obtain the correct position

If only chrysler put timing marks for a timing light (if they were around then?) on the front pulley. Would make this process a lot easier.
Ian

If u set the ign timing to advanced and it kicks back u can always us the timing control to find the right position. Then just hold distributor and push control to full advance position.

No. You are to far past tdc. Cyl 4 valve must be rocking between exh closed and inlet just about to open. This will give to tdc on both cyl 4 and 1. But cyl 1 will be on fireing stroke. Now once this position is found you can then turn engine back 5-10deg. This would be a good start.
Forget what manual says.
Ian

There is a clamp down near the headlight switch. You will have to remove the idle control lever and headlight switch.
The horn button will then slide out of steering coloum.
There is to screws that hold the horn button housing to lever rod.
The button will then come out with the wire attached.
I would connect a dummy wire to the end of horn wire. To aid in fitment of horn wire on instalation
Hope makes sense.
Ian

Tdc on cyl 1 firing
Cyl 4 valves should be rocking between exhaust closing and inlet opening.

Ok so the bearings numbers for rear axle are
Pinion: 3188, 3120, 3198, 3120
Diff carrier: 28153 x2, 28315 x2
Axle bearing: 14138a x4, 14276 x4
Inner axle seal: 1.375 x 2.313 x 0.438
Outter seal: 52 x 68 x 8 ( metric seal was just a conversion )

These outter seals are pressed into original seal casing. Easy to do and cheaper.

Ian

Could it be a fairly bad ignition break down. Like as if the engine has a weak spark.  I would be checking the spark from the coil. Should throw a spark 1/2 an inch. Are u still running original coil?
I highy doubt you have blown a piston. Not enough combustion pressure and temp. But anything possible.

Ian

Ill be picking up the bearings from AA bearings, a local bearing supplier here in melbourne on friday.He specialises in dodge and chev vehicles. but has books that go way back.   will post the bearings numbers as well as seal size dimension when i pick them up

ian

My 28 tourer does not have a foot rest but has an 'o jesus cord' as i call it. the only thing is i don't know if its original or not. but the brass ends look as if they are. Not many of us tourers around.
When I'm back will take a photo of it for you
Ian

My 28 is the same as racerb. dash light switch under dash panel.
Mines a tourer

Ian

I too have been told about a vin that was stamped on the chassis. but i have looked up and down both sides of chassis rails, no numbers to be found.
but all the information found on websites for both ply and chrysler vehicles say fedco is the only way of identification.

The only info i have on my car is engine number and body spec and number.

Ian