what do the 72 340s look like i thought by 72 the pass side sheild was gone other than that they look exactly like 70/71's

On the drivers side valve cover, the high stand off wire loom, has a hole in it, unlike the 71's that do not have this hole. I think the intent was a plastic piece inserted into this hole, held the idle stop solenoid wire.

The 72 and VERY early 73 340 valve covers are fairly unique, but can also be found on the 72 318 engine with electronic ignition.

On a side note, by 1973 the 318 and 340 valve covers are the same.

Check out this link, it helped me, but it is not entirely correct, there are some minor errors.

http://books.google.com/books?id=phKNxZn...p;q&f=false

Does the pass side have the sheild in 72? also the one i'm looking at has a different looking driver side standoff, its still tall but is bent.

No, there is no shield. The 71 & 72 passenger side 318 AND 340 valve cover is the same.

If the high stand off wire loom on the drivers side is bent at the top, then the valve cover is correct for 318 / 340 / 360 drivers side valve cover for 73 and 74, definitely not 72.

Here is a pair of 100% correct 72's.

If you are interested in seeing what 1973 318/340 valve covers look like, go to this ebay link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...RK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

well i know the 71's have the sheild, was mostly wondering about the 72 having them.

Sorry about that... you are correct, the heat shield is only on the 70 & 71 340's.

Someone should post or do an article on all the different 340 valve covers by year! Any mopar magazine editors reading this???

Some orange painted 70 and 71's lacked the shield, most original (post April 71) blue painted 71's I've seen don't have it.

Did the rubber coated shield & wire clips come painted or were they masked off???

all i have seen were painted over,

Yes, all painted over.

Thanks guys I'm getting ready to refinish mine now.
Bryan