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Joe, for those of us(me in particular) less educate (or as some may say "dumb a$$es") what is wrong with the valve covers?
The notches on the 67-72 A-body cars with BBO are intended to clear the brake booster and HVAC box, and thus go towards the BACK of the motor. It's pretty obvious in the photo I posted above that having that notch forward is doing NOTHING as far as helping any clearances.
The notches on the 67-72 A-body cars with BBO are intended to clear the brake booster and HVAC box, and thus go towards the BACK of the motor. It's pretty obvious in the photo I posted above that having that notch forward is doing NOTHING as far as helping any clearances.
If I'm not mistaken,the 67 cars only used a notched cover on the booster side as there is no conflict with the evaporator housing. The evaporator housing on a 67 is in the cowl and the blower box isn't in the way. I also think that all 68's had notched covers on both sides if it was an A/C or P/B car or not. I could be wrong on that one but that's my understanding.
Last edited by 66-3X2 442; January 21st, 2017 at 01:31 PM.
If I'm not mistaken,the 67 cars only used a notched cover on the booster side as there is no conflict with the evaporator housing. The evaporator housing on a 67 is in the cowl and the blower box isn't in the way. I also think that all 68's had notched covers on both sides if it was an A/C or P/B car or not. I could be wrong on that one but that's my understanding.
You are correct on both counts. 67 was the only year that used the early style HVAC box that didn't pose a clearance problem, but upgraded from the 9" booster to the 11" booster, thus one notched cover on the driver's side only. And yes, all 1968-72 A-bodies with BBOs got notched covers, regardless of the options selected.
Now, explain this motor that I saw at Carlisle a few years ago. It looked like completely untouched original paint on the covers. All I can figure is that since it has 7A heads, it must have been an end-of-production 1972 motor.
You are correct on both counts. 67 was the only year that used the early style HVAC box that didn't pose a clearance problem, but upgraded from the 9" booster to the 11" booster, thus one notched cover on the driver's side only. And yes, all 1968-72 A-bodies with BBOs got notched covers, regardless of the options selected.
Now, explain this motor that I saw at Carlisle a few years ago. It looked like completely untouched original paint on the covers. All I can figure is that since it has 7A heads, it must have been an end-of-production 1972 motor.
Yep,that's weird one there. Never seen notched covers on a small block. It could be that it was a late production and they were using any and everything they had to deplete the inventory.
Yep,that's weird one there. Never seen notched covers on a small block. It could be that it was a late production and they were using any and everything they had to deplete the inventory.
I have seen two 350 72's with notched valve covers. One of them belonged to the original owner and it also had a dual gate shifter even thought it wasn't ordered with one. I also assumed there was some sort of shortage near the end of production. ~BOB
I have seen two 350 72's with notched valve covers. One of them belonged to the original owner and it also had a dual gate shifter even thought it wasn't ordered with one. I also assumed there was some sort of shortage near the end of production. ~BOB
Considering that the 1973 motors changed to the valve covers with the OLDSMOBILE script, and the notched covers were no longer used, I'm guessing this is exactly what happened.
January 21st, 2017, 10:24 AM
