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E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS #3079135
09/20/22 08:18 PM
09/20/22 08:18 PM
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S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline OP
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Folks, a member of my Magnum group has a 360 HP with black valve covers. 79 Magnum. I can't say I've ever seen that.

Would anyone have a clue about that?

How about you LRE folks?


"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


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Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Magnumguy] #3079138
09/20/22 08:25 PM
09/20/22 08:25 PM
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Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
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All LRE's had chrome valve covers, the couple hundred I have seen and the 5 I have owned all had chrome valve covers. shruggy


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

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Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Rhinodart] #3079141
09/20/22 08:36 PM
09/20/22 08:36 PM
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Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
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I remember the black valve cover thing from the days of working on police cars. I can't recall what all was different, but it was supposed to be a special motor.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Rhinodart] #3079147
09/20/22 08:46 PM
09/20/22 08:46 PM
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Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Rhinodart
All LRE's had chrome valve covers, the couple hundred I have seen and the 5 I have owned all had chrome valve covers. shruggy


Suppose it's a factory replacement engine? They're not the original owners


"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


https://www.facebook.com/groups/146952895354657/
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Magnumguy] #3079216
09/21/22 07:19 AM
09/21/22 07:19 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,604
Cleveland, OH
TWS Offline
top fuel
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Google "Dodge Super Coupe Engine." Our SC had them; seems like about 2/3rds of the ones I've seen were black. Not sure if it was a mid-year changeover thing, or people painted theirs blue at some point.

Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Magnumguy] #3079230
09/21/22 08:30 AM
09/21/22 08:30 AM
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Clinton, NJ
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njmopar Offline
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Clinton, NJ
I have a E58 equipped 79 Cordoba Crown Coupe, in family since new with black valve covers. From what I recall hearing, the E58 engines came from Chrysler Marine plant with the black valve covers installed.

Photo from a recent local show we were just at.

306622025_10100681939105794_8674953963480381392_n.jpg
Last edited by njmopar; 09/21/22 08:35 AM.
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: njmopar] #3079273
09/21/22 11:56 AM
09/21/22 11:56 AM
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Colleyville
3hundred Offline
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Seems odd the 1979 300's with standard E-58 360 engine don't have black valve covers on blue engines, no? As I recall, they were painted as an assembly with some parts attached, like negative battery cables.

1979-Chrysler-300-E-58 engine.jpg

'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: 3hundred] #3079279
09/21/22 12:06 PM
09/21/22 12:06 PM
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Clinton, NJ
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njmopar Offline
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Originally Posted by 3hundred
Seems odd the 1979 300's with standard E-58 360 engine don't have black valve covers on blue engines, no? As I recall, they were painted as an assembly with some parts attached, like negative battery cables.



Does seem odd. But I recall specifically when my Dad bought this car new from the dealer and he suspected something was wrong and someone was in there for a repair before sale. This is the first time we heard the Chrysler Marine story.

Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: njmopar] #3079282
09/21/22 12:30 PM
09/21/22 12:30 PM
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Super Spudsville
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Lets not over hype a simple smog motor built with some HD parts more for durability vs performance.

Look at your engine stamp, the prefix before the 360HP, it will be 8W, 9W ect. for the year and built at the Windsor plant like so many other mopar engines.

Logic says vs guessing and speculation if one really wanted to sort out the valve cover color deal folks would be posting engine stamp and block casting date pics and things of the likes and really sort out the pattern.

I love the E58s but still an under powered over hyped mid-late 70-s zero performance motor.

They still sledged up inside and ate rod bearings like any 318 of the time period. The best thing about the E58 is the T quad sound and its just a smog version like all else.

I have a couple and although better then a 318-2bbl at WOT, with the E58 at WOT leaves one still waiting for the power to come on to match the noise but it never does and thats what makes them fun.

The real head scratcher is trying to sort out a 40 year old motor by the color of the valve covers.... get on it and take a pick of the block stamping and the block casting date and make this here posting fun.

Also post the PN sticker on the drivers side valve cover. Ever think the black covers were just for simple E58 ID at a glance in some cars?

Dont forget the air pump version also.




DSC07210.JPG42.png41.JPG

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Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #3079432
09/21/22 09:13 PM
09/21/22 09:13 PM
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Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline OP
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Wow, not what I expected. We all know smog engines don't deliver the power it's predecessors did. We got that.

Jut wondering why some had black valve covers, that's all.

BTW, this isn't my car, it was just a "wonder why" on my FB Magnum forum.

And here's a picture of said engine.

Black Valve Cover.jpg

"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


https://www.facebook.com/groups/146952895354657/
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Magnumguy] #3079448
09/21/22 10:18 PM
09/21/22 10:18 PM
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Super Spudsville
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Ha ha, I wondered why you were not just asking there. But id almost guess maybe it was a 78 motor or just left over 78 black covers. Ive seen a few 79-s with black but wondered why or when it stopped. Look that PN up on the valve cover sticker.

Would be cool to see the block stamp for kicks. Sorry if I sounded harsh on the E58-s, I do love them (after a cam/exhaust swap).


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Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #3079450
09/21/22 10:24 PM
09/21/22 10:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
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Colleyville
3hundred Offline
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Originally Posted by Mr PotatoHead
Ha ha, I wondered why you were not just asking there. But id almost guess maybe it was a 78 motor or just left over 78 black covers. Ive seen a few 79-s with black but wondered why or when it stopped. Look that PN up on the valve cover sticker.

Would be cool to see the block stamp for kicks. Sorry if I sounded harsh on the E58-s, I do love them (after a cam/exhaust swap).


IIRC, the last three numbers are the sequence of engines built that (832nd of the) day. I assume the first four are a date code but can't dredge up the memory.


'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #3079499
09/22/22 06:36 AM
09/22/22 06:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,630
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Mr PotatoHead

Would be cool to see the block stamp for kicks. Sorry if I sounded harsh on the E58-s, I do love them (after a cam/exhaust swap).


I've "heard" you can advance the cam timing several degrees and wake them up significantly wink


"Multiple Magnum owner since 1978!!"


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Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Magnumguy] #3079523
09/22/22 08:40 AM
09/22/22 08:40 AM
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Iowa
burdar Offline
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Any chance those engines had an upgraded valve cover gasket for less leakage? That might explain the black valve covers. The blue ones were removed after the engine was painted and the black ones (with pre-installed upgraded gaskets) went on?

Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: burdar] #3079659
09/22/22 02:50 PM
09/22/22 02:50 PM
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Posts: 19,237
north of coder
moparx Offline
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i obtained a new crate E-58 360 engine and transmission assembly in mid year 1978. [july/august time frame]
it came with a "build sheet" [which of course i can't find at the moment] and "premium" stickers on the blue valve covers.
it had a roller timing chain set, but i replaced it with one that had the multiple key positions.
i advanced the cam whatever the timing set had, just using the dot-to-dot, and that engine ran great in my 38 plymouth coupe !
i ran that engine/transmission for a little over 10k miles, then a guy bugged me enough to buy the car [without the engine/transmission], so the E-58 combo has been on my rack for many years now.
if it were to be installed into something else, it would need to be freshened up.
of course if that happened, a different cam, new aluminum heads,.............you know. mission creep.......... biggrin
beer

Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: moparx] #3079700
09/22/22 05:32 PM
09/22/22 05:32 PM
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Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
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My 1980 Aspen A38/E58 had blue Valve Covers and absolutely did not look to have been repainted


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: moparx] #3079715
09/22/22 06:26 PM
09/22/22 06:26 PM
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Super Spudsville
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Could you post a pic of your block stamp just for kicks?

With it was sitting on my shelf. apimp



Originally Posted by moparx
i obtained a new crate E-58 360 engine and transmission assembly in mid year 1978. [july/august time frame]
it came with a "build sheet" [which of course i can't find at the moment] and "premium" stickers on the blue valve covers.
it had a roller timing chain set, but i replaced it with one that had the multiple key positions.
i advanced the cam whatever the timing set had, just using the dot-to-dot, and that engine ran great in my 38 plymouth coupe !
i ran that engine/transmission for a little over 10k miles, then a guy bugged me enough to buy the car [without the engine/transmission], so the E-58 combo has been on my rack for many years now.
if it were to be installed into something else, it would need to be freshened up.
of course if that happened, a different cam, new aluminum heads,.............you know. mission creep.......... biggrin
beer


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Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Magnumguy] #3080469
09/25/22 10:41 AM
09/25/22 10:41 AM
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Answering the call of the wild
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ThermoQuad Offline
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E58 engines were all manufactured with a special care process vs the normal engine assembly process
E58 blocks are a high nickle cast iron block, full groove mains bearing with special inspection process along with tighter tolerancing with the crank, rods and piston, Rods were magnafluxed and shot peened for strength and durability Ad double roller timing chain, lubrite treated camshaft, windage tray and heavy chrome piston rigs completed the short block. Heads were hot alkali cleaned for more effective cooling passages. Valve springs were hot pressed, exhaust valves were a mnemonic ally with chrome flashed exhaust stems, silichrome-1 high temp steel intake valves, viton valve seals and HD rocker arms. As part of E58 the car would have the HD cooling assy consisting of an AC water pump with the large bearing, 26 inch radiator, a 20 inch fan with a thermostatic clutch

As far as black valve covers they came with the orange silicon valve cover gaskets. E58 Cop cars were supposed get painted valve covers as did the 1979 Chrysler 300 1979. Little Red Express got chrome valve covers. Super Coupes, Kit cars have been seen with black valve covers but never say never as far as that goes. Cordoba's & Magnum's have been seen with them as well. All E58s were assembled on a special line but the black valve covered engines were said to have been assembled at Chrysler Marine. I have no proof other than the research and interviews that I did back in the late 80's That is what I was told by the people that worked at Chrysler in those times.

Btw a well tuned E58 360 is no slug. Properly & well tuned are key words. Just a cam change alone woke them up big time. Up the compression to 9.0:1 with 202 heads as the 68 340 cam and it will beat up your 340's built the same way all day every day.

Last edited by ThermoQuad; 09/25/22 10:42 AM.
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: ThermoQuad] #3081021
09/26/22 11:42 PM
09/26/22 11:42 PM
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minnarusta
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Here is my untouched 1980 Gran Fury MN state patrol car. They are engine color and appear to never been off. The car was parked in 1989 and never touched again.

IMG_20220327_122722119_HDR~2.jpg
Last edited by TX9H6E4CUDA; 09/26/22 11:43 PM.

For the absolute best powder coating go to J.I.T powder coating, contact infomation is in my personal profile..
Re: E58 BLACK VALVE COVERS [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #3083303
10/04/22 04:53 PM
10/04/22 04:53 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
moparx Offline
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Originally Posted by Mr PotatoHead
Could you post a pic of your block stamp just for kicks?

With it was sitting on my shelf. apimp


that may not be possible, as there is a lot of "stuff" piled around [and on top of] it.
not promising anything, but i'll try.
i'm just catching up after my brother's visit. i haven't seen him in person for the last 5 years, so there was a lot of catching up to do [for us] in the last 8 days.
beer



Originally Posted by moparx
i obtained a new crate E-58 360 engine and transmission assembly in mid year 1978. [july/august time frame]
it came with a "build sheet" [which of course i can't find at the moment] and "premium" stickers on the blue valve covers.
it had a roller timing chain set, but i replaced it with one that had the multiple key positions.
i advanced the cam whatever the timing set had, just using the dot-to-dot, and that engine ran great in my 38 plymouth coupe !
i ran that engine/transmission for a little over 10k miles, then a guy bugged me enough to buy the car [without the engine/transmission], so the E-58 combo has been on my rack for many years now.
if it were to be installed into something else, it would need to be freshened up.
of course if that happened, a different cam, new aluminum heads,.............you know. mission creep.......... biggrin
beer







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