1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**72 Super** · 10-23-2012, 08:55 PM

Are there two versions of the small block 350 valve covers for our trucks? The reason I am asking is on the trucks without the oil fill tube, there isn't an opening on the rear of the drivers side valve cover. The trucks I have seen without the tube have three openings drivers side PVC valve- passenger side oil fill cap, air cleaner elbow.

So should the trucks with the long oil fill tube have two openings on each cover? I know the covers can't be switched because of the factory wire clips on the one.

thanks,
Ray

da-burb · 10-23-2012, 11:46 PM

the covers Left or right are interchangeable. One cover with 2 holes, one with one small breather hole. With the filler neck the 2 holer goes on the LH side or it goes on the RH side if you don't get the fill tube. The single hole cover is then on the opposite side.

I haven't seen spark plug mounts on the valve covers for 72 and older. Rams horn manifolds have wires that run down the back side of the heads and under the manifolds. There is no reason for wire keepers on the valve covers. They must be 73+ covers.

**72 Super** · 10-24-2012, 10:55 AM

Da burb, that. Is what I had thought, but the clips I am referring to hold the wires running along the intake. I have seen the clips on the single hole cover and on the cover with the two openings. These were on different trucks though and only one cover has the two clips.
Posted via Mobile Device

Ozark Tim · 10-24-2012, 02:18 PM

Those are for routing of the temp sensor wire and a/c solenoid wire (if 1/2 ton with a/c) and would be the driver side valve cover.
Every 72 V-8 I have ever seen have two holes on each valve cover with the crancase vent going to the smaller and rubber plug oil fill caps on the larger or the driver side rear gets the extension with power brakes and a/c.
Here are the best pics I have.
71 307 without extension (no p/b)
72 with all (a/c, p/b) etc
And yes, plug wires routed from distributor to tower on rear inboard v/c bolt, down to a bracket mounted to the rear of the block just behing head and then routed along block/oil pan and up between block and motor mount for front 2 wires

Ozark Tim · 10-24-2012, 02:21 PM

Wait a minute, that center pic is wrong! Try this again.
Maybe this one is better??

**72 Super** · 10-27-2012, 10:03 PM

Ozark Tim,

thanks for the infomation and pictures. There have been a couple sets here lately on the board for sale. They all were the 3 opening type. I would of thought like Da burb mentioned that they were interchangeable from side to side if it wasn't for the wire routing clips not being located on the same cover on the couple sets I have seen for sale. One set the 2 clips were on the 1 opening cover and the other had the 2 clips on the 2 opening cover.

Here is a picture from Ebay, are these correct 72 truck covers?

Thanks,
Ray

**72 Super** · 10-30-2012, 01:51 PM

Anyone have an a picture of their valve covers on a 72 4x4 non-AC truck?

thanks,
Ray

10-23-2012, 08:55 PM	#1
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,685	1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences Are there two versions of the small block 350 valve covers for our trucks? The reason I am asking is on the trucks without the oil fill tube, there isn't an opening on the rear of the drivers side valve cover. The trucks I have seen without the tube have three openings drivers side PVC valve- passenger side oil fill cap, air cleaner elbow. So should the trucks with the long oil fill tube have two openings on each cover? I know the covers can't be switched because of the factory wire clips on the one. thanks, Ray __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

10-23-2012, 11:46 PM	#2
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Re: 1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences the covers Left or right are interchangeable. One cover with 2 holes, one with one small breather hole. With the filler neck the 2 holer goes on the LH side or it goes on the RH side if you don't get the fill tube. The single hole cover is then on the opposite side. I haven't seen spark plug mounts on the valve covers for 72 and older. Rams horn manifolds have wires that run down the back side of the heads and under the manifolds. There is no reason for wire keepers on the valve covers. They must be 73+ covers. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

10-24-2012, 10:55 AM	#3
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,685	Re: 1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences Da burb, that. Is what I had thought, but the clips I am referring to hold the wires running along the intake. I have seen the clips on the single hole cover and on the cover with the two openings. These were on different trucks though and only one cover has the two clips. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

10-24-2012, 02:18 PM	#4
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 1,018	Re: 1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences Those are for routing of the temp sensor wire and a/c solenoid wire (if 1/2 ton with a/c) and would be the driver side valve cover. Every 72 V-8 I have ever seen have two holes on each valve cover with the crancase vent going to the smaller and rubber plug oil fill caps on the larger or the driver side rear gets the extension with power brakes and a/c. Here are the best pics I have. 71 307 without extension (no p/b) 72 with all (a/c, p/b) etc And yes, plug wires routed from distributor to tower on rear inboard v/c bolt, down to a bracket mounted to the rear of the block just behing head and then routed along block/oil pan and up between block and motor mount for front 2 wires Attached Images

10-24-2012, 02:21 PM	#5
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 1,018	Re: 1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences Wait a minute, that center pic is wrong! Try this again. Maybe this one is better?? Attached Images

10-27-2012, 10:03 PM	#6
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,685	Re: 1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences Ozark Tim, thanks for the infomation and pictures. There have been a couple sets here lately on the board for sale. They all were the 3 opening type. I would of thought like Da burb mentioned that they were interchangeable from side to side if it wasn't for the wire routing clips not being located on the same cover on the couple sets I have seen for sale. One set the 2 clips were on the 1 opening cover and the other had the 2 clips on the 2 opening cover. Here is a picture from Ebay, are these correct 72 truck covers? Thanks, Ray Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

10-30-2012, 01:51 PM	#7
72 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hyattsville, Maryland Posts: 3,685	Re: 1972 chevy truck small block valve cover differences Anyone have an a picture of their valve covers on a 72 4x4 non-AC truck? thanks, Ray __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super (Purchased new by my parents in August of 71) Black and White

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