big block valve cover question

[tor-red]

I have a couple of sets of 74 big block valve covers. what are the differences between 72 and 74 valve covers. I will be putting a 72 400 in my 72 SSP and would like to have it looking correct. I know there are some extra brackets on the later covers. Would I be able to just remove the unneeded brackets and clean them up or are there other things that are different besides the extra brackets? Any pictures would be appreciated. Thanks!

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

72' Big blocks in these cars used covers configured as shown. No brackets on the driver's side at all, I removed some plug wire brackets from the cover pictured as it was from another application. Carefully grind down the small welds and fill any low spots. The passenger side cover has three wire loom wraps and two plug wire brackets for the #8 wire.
BTW, the missing/damaged rubberized coating on the brackets are easily replicated with a product called Plasti Dip, found at your local hardware store.

[tor-red]

Thanks for the pictures and info. Now I have something to do tomorrow morning. Thanks Again!

[Moparlar]

The 72's I have had also had a tab on the passenger side cover where a holder clipped on to support the emission hoses going to the carb from the vapor canister.
Larry

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Love to see a picture of it Larry, none of my original 72' BB covers have that. Don't recall every seeing anything for the vapor lines on anything else. Is that your v-code car?
Doug

[Moparlar]

It was on my 72 440 4 bbl car built in Sep 71 and also on My blue sky 400 auto car built i believe in apr or may of 72. I will look at work I am pretty sure I have another bracket and valve cover with the clip on it. If you have a copy of MCG April 1994 my car was on the cover there might be a picture in that article. All my mags are stored away right now

Larry

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

I will have a copy of it in a few days! That's your car on the cover?
How original was the car in 94'?

[Moparlar]

It was my car i let the wife have it in the divorce. It was restored by me if you look in a parts book you can find a part number for the support bracket.

Larry

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

So it would appear that this bracket(support) was not welded to the valve cover. I was thinking more in terms of a different cover part numbers for different welded bracket configurations used in 72'. Never found a picture of it in the parts book but clearly this description fits, very curious as to what it looks like.

[Moparlar]

That is the support and there is a clip welded to the valve cover it clips on to
Larry

[Moparlar]

Here are the pics .


Larry

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Thanks for posting those pictures Larry, interesting, can't say I've seen any like that on these cars for sure. The way the parts book describes it, the support should be on all other 8 cylinder motors as well. Can't find the clip for it on my very original 318 either. Is that a wire loom wrap on the front of that cover?

[Moparlar]

It is a wire loom wrap on the front. I also found a set of valve covers like the ones you have on your car. I am not sure if this is a part year only thing or not. My 6 pack car did not have an engine in it when I got it. I will have to look for the pics and video of the 72 red 6 pack charger that was at Slobes to see if it had it or not.
I am also going to check all my parts books from different dates to see if it was added or removed sometime in the model year. This does happen as later parts books do not show 6 pack parts available in 72. I believe I have a August 71 dated book a December 71 dated book and an April 72 dated book. I just have to find them.

Larry

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

A couple original 72' reference shots I have. The six-pack may be the Charger you are talking about. Vapor lines appear to be draped over the cover in both pictures.

[Moparlar]

I have seen my fair share of cars with the tab on the valve cover but the support missing, Probably 1 of those pieces that gets pulled off and never got back on.