I've recently been delving into the subject and have more questions than answers, so, here are some for starters:

1. When did the large, passenger side, center, valve cover wire harness retention tab begin and end during production?

2. What was the location of the plug wire loom that stands upright on the rear, top, of the drivers side valve cover for 1970 & 1971? If the location varied, how and why, and for what specific applications? Was this exact same cover & loom configuration used on non 340 engines? Was it used during any year beyond 1971?

I don't know much about valve covers, but I'd love to listen in and learn a thing or two.

Tav

Scott, I belive you have some pictures of my 340 on the stand. SPD 418
Hope that helps
Bob

Scott those are the same style as i have for my demon. my question. is the black correct or should they be painted? were they dipped before or after paint?

That's how I picked that set up, already painted.

All the wire tabs were supposed to be painted engine color as well

I bought these several years ago, still have them. That's original paint and they came off of a 71 340 (Duster) notice the wire tabs on the pass side. Forget for a minute that they were on a 71 Duster, let's assume for a minute that they could have been swapped on and that they were on a 70 at one time. One thing is for certain, that's original factory paint and they only painted 340's orange 2 years, 1970 & 71. So, the question remains for what period in time did this style get used exactly?

i thought they were but wasnt 100% sure.

these are mine, plus i have this set i got on a parts car. 340 ones but chrome. thought it was strange.

chrome ones

Those both look correct to me Chris (except that none were ever chromed from the factory), is the rear stand up bracket on the drivers side in the exact same location on both?

i thought the chrome ones were kinda weird having all the factory tabs on them. worthless?almost. lol

both tall ones are in the same spot

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There's the theory that AAR and T/A valve covers have a different location for that tab.

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Yes, I've heard that as well, problem is that I've recently found a bit of evidence that might prove that theory wrong or at least inconclusive.

these several years ago, still have them. That's original paint and they came off of a 71 340 (Duster) notice the wire tabs on the pass side. Forget for a minute that they were on a 71 Duster, let's assume for a minute that they could have been swapped on and that they were on a 70 at one time. One thing is for certain, that's original factory paint and they only painted 340's orange 2 years, 1970 & 71. So, the quetion remains for what period in time did this style get used exactly?

My 1971 Duster 340 has these type valve covers. it's a late build car, (july 9th) and has the blue color engine..

Here are two different drivers side covers (shown in bare steel), notice the different location of the rear upright? Please explain this if anyone can.

Hi Scott, i have gotten a few sets of the 340 valve covers you show in the first pick over the last 8 months or so and for what its worth a few sets of "standard" sb covers, i have noticed all the wire stands on the drivers side where in the same spot to the 32nd of a inch this includes the standard 318 ect.. covers with the short stand, I did notice they very in orientation like some are at say the 11:00 position and some are in the 11:30 position you can see that in one of my pics. As for the heat sheild i always thought it was for the t-quad cars with their wider carb bodys moving the choke linkage and well very close to the V/C. I thought it was a late 70 on some AVS cars, and 71 only thing but i/ve had guys tell me 69's would have those to, so i'm very confussed about the sheild also. I think the whole V/C was painted orange including the sheild but i'm going to keep the sheild black for some contrast.

Scott, here is a pic (a bad pic) of some origonal 73 318 valve covers. They look to be the same as the 340 ones you posted unless I'm missing something.

On the last pic you posted Scott i would give my uneducated guess that that bottom cover is a 6 bbl cover tab i thought was moved back to clear the long linkage of the 6 bbl

pic

another