Valve cover bolts, heads, engine casting numbers

[chargerman67]

I have a couple questions. I removed my valve covers today so I could clean them and put on new gaskets. I noticed that what I removed the bolts they were about 3 different sizes amongst them. I am quite certain they aren't supposed to be this way. Does any of you know what the proper bolt size is for the valve covers? I think I need to just get new ones. I was also thinking about getting the wing nut type but wanted to know your thoughts on those. Also, while I have the valve covers off is there anything I could look for that would tell me what type of heads they are? Is there anything I should be looking for to see if they are in good condition?
   The other question is I have been trying to learn a little more about my 440 engine block. I am trying to locate the casting number on it. I checked on the passenger side of the front of the engine block right below the head and it wasn't there. I also read that it could be in front of the valley pan right on the distributor mount but it wasn't there either. Any other ideas on where to look?

thanks

Luther
   

[General_01]

The casting numbers for the heads are on top of the heads under the valve covers.

[gtx6970]

all valve cover attaching hardware is 1/4-20 thread pitch with 7/16" hex head regardless of engine size.
type though will vary by application
some use a mix of bolts and studs with nuts, some use all bolts, some use all studs with nuts

[John_Kunkel]

I also read that it could be in front of the valley pan right on the distributor mount but it wasn't there either. Any other ideas on where to look?

The low blocks (383, 400) have stamped info there but the 440 does have a machined pad in front of the intake with stamped build data...you might have to scrape off some crud and paint to read the data.

6-bolt valve covers usually have studs/nuts in the front and rear corners with captive-washer bolts in the center four.

The pic below shows the location of the raised casting number and the stamped VIN on '69 and later blocks.

[chargerman67]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up with an engine casting number of 2536430-7. Also right on the front of the block in front of the valley pan the is a very light stamp that says "F440".
   Part of the reason i am looking up stuff like this is because I really don't know what has been done to my car. I got a few different numbers on my heads but i'm not sure what I should be looking for. One was just a stamp that looked like an engine stamp that read :2843906 and then there was some numbers that looked like they were screwed onto that on the drivers side read 0099 and on the passenger side read 10213. Does anyone know what I should be looking for? Or do these numbers look correct?

thanks again

[General_01]

You can get some answers here:

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepages/Id_info/mopar/mopar%20casting%20numbers/castingnumbers.html

[maxwellwedge]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up with an engine casting number of 2536430-7. Also right on the front of the block in front of the valley pan the is a very light stamp that says "F440".
  Part of the reason i am looking up stuff like this is because I really don't know what has been done to my car. I got a few different numbers on my heads but i'm not sure what I should be looking for. One was just a stamp that looked like an engine stamp that read :2843906 and then there was some numbers that looked like they were screwed onto that on the drivers side read 0099 and on the passenger side read 10213. Does anyone know what I should be looking for? Or do these numbers look correct?

thanks again

F440 is an engine that came out of a 1970 model year vehicle - There should be a Month/Day number under that and possibly an HP or HP2 - See attached pic - 9 4 = Sept 4th. Your engine casting # is for a 440. The "906" heads are correct for a 68-71 +/- range.
The other numbers on the heads are date codes.

[chargerman67]

whats the difference between the HP and the HP2?

[maxwellwedge]

Nothing other than - 1st shift, second shift

[chargerman67]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up with an engine casting number of 2536430-7. Also right on the front of the block in front of the valley pan the is a very light stamp that says "F440".
  Part of the reason i am looking up stuff like this is because I really don't know what has been done to my car. I got a few different numbers on my heads but i'm not sure what I should be looking for. One was just a stamp that looked like an engine stamp that read :2843906 and then there was some numbers that looked like they were screwed onto that on the drivers side read 0099 and on the passenger side read 10213. Does anyone know what I should be looking for? Or do these numbers look correct?

thanks again

F440 is an engine that came out of a 1970 model year vehicle - There should be a Month/Day number under that and possibly an HP or HP2 - See attached pic - 9 4 = Sept 4th. Your engine casting # is for a 440. The "906" heads are correct for a 68-71 +/- range.
The other numbers on the heads are date codes.

Are those 906 heads any good in your opinion?

[maxwellwedge]

For what year car?

[chargerman67]

My car is a 67

[maxwellwedge]

Well - 915's were used on 67 440 HPs. The 906 heads started in 68. If you dont care which one is correct for your car - the 906 is a good stock head.

[chargerman67]

I'm not worried about correct numbers by any means. My car was an original 318 car anyway. I just didn't know if these 906 heads were worth keeping or if it would be recommended to swap out to something else. I really do want the maximum performance I can get while still keeping it just a street car and occasionally taking it to the strip.

[maxwellwedge]

A properly rebuilt set of 906's should be plenty fine for your use 

[charge-it]

Here you go!
http://pepsparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1000048