250 valve cover clips
 

I'm getting a 250 valve cover ready for paint and was wondering if the clips on the side of the cover are necessary? If so what do they hold? Sorry it's my first time doing one of these and I didn't take pictures when we turn I apart. There's four on the drivers side and 3 on the other. Thanks

Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

they hold part of the wiring harness

Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

Also held the stock vacuum line wrapping around from the alternator on the passenger side to the carb on the drivers side. I think it was aluminum 1/8'' tubing. Possibly even the stock steel 5/16'' fuel line, if I can remember that far back.
The wires from the bulkhead connector to the Coil and Alternator were clipped on the passenger side. [Plus water temp gauge line and elec oil pressure idiot light.]
If your oil pressure warning light went on -- it meant you were screwed.

Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

Thanks guys. I left them on.

Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

Before you paint the valve cover, you could bend the tabs out. Then after the paint has dried, you could dip them in Plasti-Dip before you bend them back on your wiring harness to soften the edges so they don't cut into the insulation. The factory did some kind of rubberizing on the tabs. Usually it comes off when the sheet tin is hot tanked and/or bead-blasted.
Plasti-Dip comes in many colors, but probably not Chevy Engine Orange. [Assuming that's your color of choice.]

Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/272417394522

There is usually clips like these wrapped into the harness that clip into the holes around the valve cover. I have re-used them and put back. The ones I have seen up into the square body trucks are black, longer and thinner. I have never seen the tabs bent over the harness

Plastidip isn't a bad idea for the clips. I'll probably use some rubber hose cut lengthwise to cover them. Then again I could just wrap the wires with with something where they lay in the clips.
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Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

I have nicked an ungloved finger on them once or twice -- they can get sharp. Just sayin'.

Re: 250 valve cover clips
 

I use shrink wrap on them. Heat, then trim.