What the heck are these brackets????

[jlmerie]

A buddy and I just got back from looking at a 1972 Cheyenne Custom Camper truck for sale. It is a very nice and very original truck, around 74,000 miles. Everything looks right from front to back. SPID matches truck and options. It is a small block truck and when looking under the hood we saw something we could not explain. I don't know wether to call them brackets or what. Oh each side of the engine bolted to the frame rail above where the motor mounts would be were these brackets. I took some pictures and am attaching them. These look like they have been there a long time. What the heck are these brackets????

[litew8]

Strange. Both have empty holes. Maybe there's more missing.

[Cash3481]

I believe I read on here that It's a heat shield on small block trucks.
I have parted a few trucks with them on both sides of the motor.
Mike

[litew8]

I think there are shields that go over the exhaust manifolds, but I've never seen anything like the pic. Guessing, look at their shape, kind of curved up in the rears. Maybe they deflect air onto the exhaust manifolds for cooling? idk

[undertaker72]

they are a heat shield /type wind dam to cool the exhaust manifold , as you know the ram horns destruct in that area , the small amount of breeze actualy helps cool them

[chiefcfd]

My '72 had them on there. I got rid of them but I wish I had them back. They did cut down heat on the Ram horns.

[midniteblues]

i'm thinkin that i read on this board before that they were a 72 only item also

[thelonerife]

I had them on my first truck. A 72. They are the exhaust manifold (coolers) lol

[jlmerie]

Are these actually 1972 only exhaust manifold coolers? I tried to search the old threads, but I think I must not be using the right key words.

[RenoKeene]

Yep, 72 manifold coolers. My stock 72 Custom Camper has these.