I messed up my timing chain cover and picked up a chrome one, will those chrome timing tabs that are for a 7" balancer be close enough for my 6.75 inch one? it seems they only have a 7" and 8" balancer option.... Any thoughts?

 

Depends how you set your timing. If you have a normal timing light and look for the advance marks on the pointer then the timing will probably be off since the space between the marks is calibrated for a different size balancer. If you use an advance timing light and only look for the zero mark then any timing pointer will work. You set the timing light to the timing you want then only need to look for the zero mark on the pointer.

Don't assume the timing mark at TDC means the piston is actually at TDC. A piston stop and degree wheel should be used to find true TDC. Chances are the timing markls won't line up. The first time I installed a new cover and balancer I had the total timing set to 43* and the car was still running faster as I increased it. I found out later my timing mark was out 8*. I now use an adjustable timing pointer and reset it after locating TDC with a piston stop.