Chrome Big Block Valve Covers

[matthon]

2 sets.
One from each set in each picture.

At least that's how I bought them 100 years ago.

I think I know what they came off, but what say the experts?

 

[rklein383]

I know factory big block A-bodies came with chrome valve covers.

 

[Murray]

Very close to my 1968 BB. Unclear from your photos are the wire loom tabs and spark plug wire tabs. They look very nice, cost me $600 to re-chrome mine.

 

[413]

Those have heater hose brackets on them. Some 383 A bodies don't have them on the cover they are on the fenderwell.

Then the pass side has spark plug brackets in a different place. See end of cover on right = rear of engine

 

[496 polara]

First pic 66 or 67?

Second one early 70's ?

 

[Mtrhead]

67 GTX

 

[Murray]

Heater hose brackets are correct.

 

[matthon]

First set, both have plug wire brackets on top/back and inner/side, with heater hose bracket on one.

 

[matthon]

Second set, one has plug wire brackets on the back/side and the middle/side, and has the heater hose bracket.

The other has no plug wire brackets, no brackets at all.

 

[RustyRatRod]

You know, those look a lot like big block Mopar valve covers.

 

[matthon]

You know, those look a lot like big block Mopar valve covers.

You might be on to something.
I knew there were experts here.

 

[RustyRatRod]

You might be on to something.
I knew there were experts here.

Just another service I offer. lol

 

[matthon]

Took pics of a 64 Street Wedge.
Original owner car.

Both valve covers have nothing on them, no plug wire brackets, no electrical brackets, no heater hose brackets.

So the second set I have has the same driver side valve cover.

I thought this would be more straightforward.

 

[matthon]

Post #8
FABO and FBBO agree they are those 67 GTX, some add they are 1 year only.

Aren't they also 67 a-body as well?

And therefore 68 a-body too?

67 and 68 big block a-body cars came with "Chrome-plated cylinder head covers, oil filler cap and crankcase vent cap."

69 did not, no mention of them anyway.

 

[413]

Again I will post this

A bodies went to a heater hose bracket on the fenderwell, so these you have are not from that.

I don't know exactly when an A body went to this, surprised nobody else brought this up.

 

[66fs]

I have an original 68 383 car. It has the heater hose bracket. I'll find some pictures.

 

[66fs]

1968 Formula S Fastback Barracuda. Original 383 with Automatic Transmission valve covers.

 

[matthon]

Strange that the rear plug wire bracket is on the top on the driver side, and on the side on the passenger side.

Driver side from my first set, Post #8.
Passenger side from my second set, Post #9.

That passenger side of mine has broken off wire looms and some rust, the other passenger side valve cover I have is in excellent shape, of course.

Maybe the 67 valve covers were different, typical 67 stuff being slightly different.

I found an original owner unrestored 67 GTX on YouTube with the set in Post #8.

Recently met a guy who has an original bb 67 a-body, trying to get pics.

 

[matthon]

I looked up a-body bb spark plug wiring bracket sets on Brewer's.

67, 68, and 69 a-body sets are all separate and different.

The pics are different, descriptions different, but it also leaves out some brackets that I received and are listed in the instructions.

I pulled out my unused set and the instructions are for 66-67, a-body and c-body big block.

There are pictures but none show the wires or the valve covers.

2 brackets, L and R2, are 67 a-body only and not listed on the website.

It does list one bracket as:
"K" required Big Block a-body & c-body applications where #7 cylinder ignition wire runs over left valve cover.

 

[matthon]

 

[matthon]

Looks like I was able to get this answered 16 years ago, doh!

Unable to locate this thread until this moment, but this reply makes sense.

Looks like I have:
A-body set (with the engine wire looms busted off the passenger valve cover).
Passenger side GTX valve cover.
Driver side street wedge cover.

People, stop bending the wire looms open and closed a thousand times until they all break off. Rant over.

Might just keep them all, not sure what the best path is to sort out a good passenger cover.

Thank you all for the input.

BB valve covers
The driver's side B-body HP manifold exits aft of the #7 exhaust port. On A and C-bodies, it exits between #5 & #7, thus requiring the #7 plug wire to be routed from the back, and requiring that one retainer on the top aft of the valve cover on those vehicles, but not on B-bodies.