Original parts info request - 73 Cuda

[Aus_Cuda]

I've just bought a '73 cuda. It is mostly original & number matching with only a few common mods made to it.
My target is to get the car 100% back to original.

Could someone please post details on the original fitment and possible photos of-
1/ Original exhaust manfolds including heat riser/heat shields. For a 73 model what date should be typically cast into the manifold?
2/ Air cleaner assembly - internal flap or no flap?
3/ Valve covers - photos of correct setup including PCV tubing

I am currently sourcing a thermoquad carb to replace the holley.
As you can see the car currently has headers, moroso air cleaner and alloy valve covers. All these must go.

Any help will be much appreciated.

[Jamiez]

This is the best air cleaner reference I know of:

http://www.nicksgarage.com/aircleaner.htm

Welcome 

And we'd love pictures
 

[burdar]

72 has a flap...73 does not.  What's the cars SPD?  Also look at the MDH code on the door sticker.  It's a 6 digit number in the lower left corner.  If it's a very early built 73, it could have come with the 72 air cleaner.

The DS valve cover should be the same as a 318.(tall stand at the back with a 4 wire holder...2 wire holder at the front on the side)  Wire holders, PCV valve/grommet, oil cap and breather grommet should be painted with the engine.
 



PS valve covers might be different between a 340 and a 318.  Ask members Bullitt and Hood where the rear wire holder is located on their cars.

318 PS cover with "two" 2 wire holders on the side.
 

340 valve cover with one 2 wire holder at the front but a 4 wire holder at the back on a short stand.(This 73 was built in Feb 73 and has the door in the air cleaner.  I don't think this is correct for that late of a car.)
 

I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is correct for 73.  If you have any questions just ask me.  Also, if your car is an auto, the top section of the kickdown rod should be sprayed with yellow paint.  340 rods got the yellow paint...318's did not.

[Aus_Cuda]

Great reply Burdar, thanks a lot.
I should have mentioned the car is a 340 auto.
I will contact the other members you listed also in regard to the valve cover.

[73RallyeChallenger]

Larry's (Hood) car is a very early built 73 and came with 72 valve covers.

Normally, the 340 cars received the exact same valve covers (both sides) as the 318 as Darren (Burdar) has indicated above.

I tend to agree with Darren that the 73 did not have the trap door flapper in the air cleaner, however the parts book for 1973 does list 2 separate part numbers for 340 air cleaners, one before December 1972, and one after 1972. I'm sure Larry could clear that one up.

This is a recent pic of my engine, the engine has been since completed. One thing we haven't been able to figure out is when or if the spark plug wires were orange in 1973. I'm changing the Bosch spark plug wires, to a set of NOS black wires as that was on Larry's car when it came from the factory.

[Road_Runner]

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing!  Since I'm either going to stay with the original 318 or swap in an original appearing 73 340 these are all great reference material.  You mention painting the top kickdown linkage bar yellow?  I don't think I've ever seen that mentioned elsewhere.  Is the whole bar painted and what shade of yellow?

Later, Jim

[burdar]

Bullitt has the picture of the yellow paint.  I'm not sure if he put it in the "reference pics" thread or not.  It looks like it may have been brushed on the very top so the people assembing the engine/trans assemlies knew what part to grab.  There are as many 73 details as the more popular years...just no one has found the need to research them.  I'd love to see pics of 73 survivors but I havn't found any.  I know of a few 74's though.

[73RallyeChallenger]

Jim, just the tip was painted yellow as I did on my engine (see pic) I just used a bright yellow rattle can paint, called "Daytona Yellow".