Spence,

It's probably the balancer starting to come apart. I've seen that before on other engines. Once you find a good balancer you can compare it. Try calling Ransom motors in Brandywine (301-372-8811). They have a pretty good selection of Jeeps and if they don't have the parts on site they can try and locate them for you.

Lee

/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif Lee 1970 Jeepster Commando

 

Depends on what part of the damper is worn, I assume it's the portion that protrudes inside the timing cover and rubs against the seal.

Sometimes the seal that's pressed into the timing chain cover comes loose or self destructs. There's a little spring inside that holds it together. If it tears, the metal spring can rub a notch in the damper, or dirt getting on the surface can wear a groove in it.
Parts houses (real ones, not discount ones) carry a sleeve kit to repair worn dampers. Try them, take it to them and match it up. It's just a thin sleeve that slides over the worn part to seal again.
If you put it back together with it worn, it will leak oil like crazy.