Correct valvecover for 70 383?

[runcharger]

Anyone have a photo of the correct, factory installed valvecover on a 70 383. I'm pretty sure my right VC is original however the left one has some sparkplug wire looms on it that I'm not so sure about. They look like something a Motorhome may have had. I want this truck correct when I put the engine back together.

Sheldon

[legacyABQ]

Find the casting/part number on the valve cover in question.. I'll look it up for you in my book!

Also, I have a 68 383 if you want pictures of those covers I'll post em.

[ufo]

I'm not a expert on this but it would make sense to have two wire loom brackets on each side to clear the center dump of the exhaust manifold.

[Hobcobble]

Anyone have a photo of the correct, factory installed valvecover on a 70 383. I'm pretty sure my right VC is original however the left one has some sparkplug wire looms on it that I'm not so sure about. They look like something a Motorhome may have had. I want this truck correct when I put the engine back together.

Sheldon

What you're describing is correct. I have a '69 & 'a 71 Sweptline
383 with the exact same set up.
John

[Rodger]

Hola There

Here is a photo of a engine with Valve Cover's
that have the Spark Plug Holding Loom as you
described. Take note of the Exhaust Manifold
design too.

This design was used for several years and
divisions.

The 300 and larger series trucks with the 361
or 413 used a differant design Valve Cover
( and they do bolt to your engine's heads ).



Rodger & Gabby
COS

[Hobcobble]

Hola There

Here is a photo of a engine with Valve Cover's
that have the Spark Plug Holding Loom as you
described. Take note of the Exhaust Manifold
design too.

This design was used for several years and
divisions.

The 300 and larger series trucks with the 361
or 413 used a differant design Valve Cover
( and they do bolt to your engine's heads ).



Rodger & Gabby
COS

Rodger,
Those valve covers in your "Imperial" picture, although
the proper fit, weren't used on the '70 Dodge Sweptline
383..... I'm pretty certain about it. If anyone
knows differently, please advise.
John

[Rodger]

John

download/file.php?id=2958&mode=view

This is where I was "coming from".


Rodger & Gabby
COS

[JimE]

I've got 70 w/383. Roger's picture is about right with the only exception being the 70 does not have the front cable support. They are on the back. Jim

[Hobcobble]

I've got 70 w/383. Roger's picture is about right with the only exception being the 70 does not have the front cable support. They are on the back. Jim

Cable meaning spark plug wires? I think the main question was the right side valve
cover not having a plug wire loom.... which neither set of valve covers on my '69
& '71 have. I'll get another look at mine to confirm. This is an item that could
have been easily changed when the engines were assembled too.... just food
for thought.... Keep the information coming.

Thanks for that link Rodger.
John

[MOPAT]

Can't say for certain about the 70's.
These were off my 68 W 200 with the 383

[MOPAT]

AND THESE are on my 71 383 D200

[Rodger]

Reason's

On this subject I speak from my learnings in the
Imperial Car Division.

Some one realized that if the Spark Plug Wires
were re-routed so that a mechanic could re-
move the Valve Cover without having to re-
move the Spark Plug Wires, they could save a
few minutes of time ( since all to not graduate
with honours, these mechanics did not need
to make sure # 5 wire was being routed to
the correct location as they were finishing ).

I have the 1969 383 Truck information which
some one posted once and fell into the "wrong
year information" for a 1970 383 Dodge
Truck.

I like the learning from this site.


Rodger & Gabby
COS

[runcharger]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. It looks like I have the correct covers. Here are photos of the right and left covers.

Sheldon

[Trailmaster]

Can't say for certain about the 70's.
These were off my 68 W 200 with the 383

valve covers 1.jpg

From what I've seen on period R motors in the yard this is what they had if they had A/C.

If they didn't have a/c I've seen several variations, but the one Sweptline that I would think was the most original had 1,3 and 5 routed in front of the valve cover and back, with loom holders beside the thermostat housing, at the lower front of the head, and between 1 and 3. & routed over the manifold and behind the valve cover as the manifold dump was between 5 and 7.

[Hobcobble]

Here's JeffC's '68 383.
http://imageevent.com/jeffc/jeffcsmopar ... =4&s=0&z=2
I'm not sure the valve covers are stone stock.... maybe
Jeff can fill us in. If so.... yet another version.
John

[Hobcobble]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. It looks like I have the correct covers. Here are photos of the right and left covers.

Sheldon

Yours are correct right down to the Chrysler Blue.
John

[legacyABQ]

In 68 the 383's had factory red valvecovers,and I forget what color for 440 and I think 360's are blue? Not sure. I'll look it up; mine still have factory red paint, this motor has never been rebuilt.. I'll post a picture for fun, since everyone else is! lol


EDIT:

OK for factory paint color, just for fun and in case anyone is interested, someone told me this about OEM engine/valcecover colors:
Does this match up with your guys' experience? Might be useful info..
1961-1963:
* 170- Yellow
* 225- Yellow
* 251- Silver
* 318 Poly- Turquoise
* 361-Turquoise
* 413-Turquoise
1964-1965:
* 170-Red
* 225-Red
* 318 Poly-Turquoise
* 361-Turquoise
* 413-Turquoise
1966-1967:
* 170-Red
* 225-Red
* 273-Red
* 318 Poly-Red
* 318 LA-Red (1967)
* 361-Turquoise
* 383-Red (1967)
* 413-Turquoise
1968-1969
* 170-Red
* 225-Red
* 318-Red
* 361-Turquoise
* 383-Red
* 413-Turquoise

1970+
* All Blue


My VC's look just like those black ones a few posts back, except red.. Creds for info to MrValiant!

[RussRoth]

Here's JeffC's '68 383.
http://imageevent.com/jeffc/jeffcsmopar ... =4&s=0&z=2
I'm not sure the valve covers are stone stock.... maybe
Jeff can fill us in. If so.... yet another version.
John

If I'm not mistaken that rig was not originally a 383. I think Jeff told me that's a later engine.

[MOPAT]

I looked on my black ones and couldn't find ANY blue paint