Simple Valve Cover Question

[Kilian]

The 350 V8 in my 83 GMC has valve covers that each have two flat brackets with a couple of holes. Are these for mounting spark plug wire holders or serve some other function? Thanks.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Through the 1970's into the 1980's the emission standards were tightening. Some models use the brackets for vacuum hose clips or even wires. Many years had the spark plug wires running behind the back of the valve covers and not over the top.

There were even times where, say, an engineer would last minute change how the vacuum purge valve was plumbed. The new added vacuum line was factory tie-wrapped to one of those brackets. Then later, same year runs, there would appear a better looking plastic clip holding the hose.

Different options like AC or cruise control may use the brackets for wires, etc.

 

[75gmck25]

My '75 has the brackets, and the original setup used clip-on wire retainers that are sized to clip over the black plastic flexible tubing around the wires. You can still buy replacement clips and tubing at the parts store. This is one of the clips https://www.amazon.com/Wire-Cable-Routing-Retainer-12040984/dp/B01M0UQUXW, and the tubing is sold in a packaged roll (10 feet?).

The flexible tube on the passenger side protected the alternator charge wire, which came up from the starter through a metal protective (from exhaust heat) tube on the back of the engine, and then over the back of the valve cover and down to the alternator. The clip and tubing on the driver's side was gone on my truck, but I assume it may have contained the wire running to the temp sender and the wire for the A/C compressor.

Bruce