Is the Valve cover wire bracket for a May 68 car just spot welded tabs on the top? When did the bracket cease to be spot welded to the side (month)? I have examples of both but not sure which is correct for my Early May 68 built car. Engine stamp is 8E8U.
The small L shaped bracket is spot welded to the valve cover. You will have another longer sheet metal bracket attached to the small L bracket on the passenger side of the engine. Its attached with screws. You can see examples of all of this in some of the pictures posted in the Unrestored Picture Thread on the main page. Just choose the year your interested in then the thread - each shows the engine code in the title usually
Second question is was there any markings on the valve cover for part code? .......
No. Don't even recall if the 68 small block ones have a stamping date on them
What do most people do for the covers. Do they try to find NOS or is the aftermarket acceptable? What does one look for when purchasing?
Most just purchase another nice, unrusted and undented set from a donor engine/car. There were hundreds of thousands of cars that use the same valve covers. Look to the south west if you can or from cars from that general area. Might even check with WCC since they have a small yard and have some. Just make sure you get the same design you need fro your application since they did change through the years.
