1973 340 valve cover

[73RallyeChallenger]

Hi, could someone post a picture of a 1973 340 driver side valve cover? Specifically I would like to see a good shot of the drivers side wire holder, and what it looks like. I'm sure that there is somebody on here with a survivor 73 cuda or challenger that stills has the orginal valve covers? Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Road_Runner]

Do you think its different than an original 318 valve cover?  I've got the originals on my 73 Barracuda.  I also have an original set of 1972 valve covers off a 340 Cuda that I think are identical, but I haven't put them side by side yet to be sure.  I bought them specifically for the 340 block I'm going to be building to go into the Cuda.  Let me know if you want a picture of either.

Later, Jim

[73RallyeChallenger]

Hi Jim, are you saying that your 73 318 valve covers are the same as your 72 340 valve covers? If you could post a picture of the drivers side stand off wire loom it would be appreciated.

I have a theory that in 1973 the style of the drivers side high standoff wire loom changed. I have posted a picture of a 73 drivers side 340 valve cover. Notice that the high standoff wire loom is angled on top, and has a hole in the center. In 72, this wire loom is straight, with no hole, I think. Please post post what you have to prove me wrong.

[Road_Runner]

Hi Jim, are you saying that your 73 318 valve covers are the same as your 72 340 valve covers? If you could post a picture of the drivers side stand off wire loom it would be appreciated.

I have a theory that in 1973 the style of the drivers side high standoff wire loom changed. I have posted a picture of a 73 drivers side 340 valve cover. Notice that the high standoff wire loom is angled on top, and has a hole in the center. In 72, this wire loom is straight, with no hole, I think. Please post post what you have to prove me wrong.

I'll post pics tomorrow.  Like I said before, I'm pretty sure the valve covers on my 73 318 are original and the others I bought off Ebay and the seller said they were off a 72 340 Cuda engine but I can't confirm that so take that into consideration.

Later, Jim

[hooD]

Hi, could someone post a picture of a 1973 340 driver side valve cover? Specifically I would like to see a good shot of the drivers side wire holder, and what it looks like. I'm sure that there is somebody on here with a survivor 73 cuda or challenger that stills has the orginal valve covers? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Hope this helps.  My covers are original, except for the hemi orange paint.  They are on my '73 340 but the car was manufactured in OCT. of 1972.

[Road_Runner]

Here's the pics of my 72 Cuda 340 Valve Covers.  The drivers side is the one w/o the breather:

[73RallyeChallenger]

Thanks Jim & Larry!

I'm definitely leaning towards the fact that the 72 340 valve covers did change in 1972. In 1972 they started stamping a hole in the drivers side high standoff wire loom, supposedly to secure the blue idle stop solenoid (ISS) wire. I have attached a photo of what it looks like. I'm trying to get better pictures of the plastic piece that inserts into this hole. I guess most guys just removed them, thinking it robbed them of horsepower like everything else.

As for the bend at the top of the wire loom holder, or it being completely straight... I think that throughout 1972 and the early part of 1973, the wire loom holder is straight, and for 1973 & 1974 the wire loom holder was curved on a 45degree angle, for reasons that are somewhat intuitive. Also, I'm certain that there is no difference in the valve covers for the 318 or 340 engines for 1973 & 1974 in that they have the high standoff wire loom holder on the drivers side valve cover. Further evidence of this can be found in pictures of the 318 & 340 engines in the dealership data books from 1973 found here; http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/

Now here is the real million dollar question... (Scott, you can chime in now)... could you have a drivers side valve cover in 1972, 1973, or 1974 with the low standoff wire loom holder on either the 318 or 340 engines? Maybe the 72 318 engine only? I don't think you could because the high wire loom was now serving an additional purpose; holding the ignition stop solenoid wire which required the high stand off wire loom. But I'm willing to hear the thoughts on this one. We are not quite finished yet!