Note that the unrestored engines pictured have black dipsticks.

Heres another unrestored 340 with a black dip stick handle.

Nice catch Barry !

Let me try again. These are a few pics I took last year.

Another.

One more.

Common small block restoration errors also include the spark plug looms, they should not be painted.

Also, the negative battery cables were not attached to the engine when painted. (this is a big block only thing)

I agree with all of that Barry, however my mind is open for the possibility that some battery cables may have been painted with the engine. I haven't seen absalute proof yet but have seen some pretty convincing evidence. As common as they are you'd think the details of small blocks would be set in stone by now but it seems that allot of people are still pretty confused on what's correct or not, self included on some smaller details. Still learning,little things everytime I see a good survivor example.

What about the fuel pump ? I believe they were installed on BBs, How about SBs ?

And until we learn of a small block with an original painted battery cable, we have to say none are known.

I will also add that I usually only look at 1970 cars, so I have no clue if it changed later.

Original 1970 fuel pump;

Someone asked about the alternator as well;

Mopar Action showed an untouched...I think late 71-up small block (as it was blue/turquise) that clearly had the neg. battery cable installed when painted and was laying across the valve cover when done.

This doesn't help, of course, on a 70. But never say never. It would be nice to see more untouched 69-72 340's documented for reference.

That's correct Barry, and I haven't seen a documented painted 70 cable either......Yet (just leaving the possibility open since I have seen later ones as noted above).

Here's one for you, what year do you think these valve covers came off of? That's original paint.

Another view

Inspection mark

How about a list

intake - painted
Coil bracket
throttle bracket
clamp
return spring bracket
spring
auto trans return spring
temp sending unit
therm housing
Bypass hose - Painted
clamps - painted


Valve covers painted
bolts
grommets
PCV valve
Breather
oil cap
wire looms


Dip stick tube
Dip stick handle


Alt brackets
Spacer
bolts
Alt pulley


Fuel pump
Bolts


motor mounts
hardware

Battery cable
bolt

Oil press sending unit

Distributor clamp
bolt

this is my I did learn LONG ago never say never on mopars

Quote:

---

How about a list

intake - painted
Coil bracket - clear zinc
throttle bracket - engine color
clamp - clear zinc with a dark/black phosphate captive washer nut
return spring bracket - engine color
spring - depends on number of coils, and I'm not completly 100% convinced which one IS correct. I can say for 100% certainty a 1971 duster 318 2bbl with 3 spd trans it was yellow
auto trans return spring - see line above
temp sending unit- yellow zinc di-chromate
therm housing - engine color
Bypass hose - - engine color
clamps - - engine color


Valve covers painted
bolts - engine color
grommets- engine color
PCV valve- engine color
Breather - lower gloss black
oil cap - engine color
wire looms ?


Dip stick tube - engine color
Dip stick handle - on my own 1970 340 challenger it was still original paint - orange


Alt brackets - low gloss black
Spacer - dark phosphate
bolts -dark phosphate
Alt pulley - low gloss black


Fuel pump ?
Bolts - obviously phosphate if the pump is unpainted


motor mounts - low gloss black
hardware - phosphate

Battery cable . I removed the original from my brothers 41K mile 1971 duster 318 and it was definitly engine color at the cyl head end ( blue btw )
bolt - see above

Oil press sending unit - yellow zinc di-chromate

Distributor clamp - Plated in ??????
bolt - same 1971 duster the bolt was yellow zinc with a captive washer

---

70 340. Taken before I got the correct hoses and PVC from Scott or was that Bill? Fuel line is incorrect from filter to carb. What else?

another

another1