Frequently Asked Questions

Q: 400 Hood Scoops

I just picked up a 1967 400 hood for $500 — straight, no rust, but has chromed scoop inserts. Question for list: are these an aftermarket item?

A: No. Someone took the scoop inserts and had them chromed. I’ve seen quite a few cars with them painted black as well. This might have been something a dealer may have also done. But they were all originally painted the body color.

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Q: 400 Hoods

Can I put a 1967 400 hoods on a 1968? What type of problems or modifications will I need to make?

A: For all you trivia buffs the difference in 1967 and 68-9 hoods is not the hinges, its in the inner frame and the hood latch. And yes, its important even to a non purist when he replaces his 350 hood and it wont latch, OR if it does latch and then comes open at 60MPH. The 1967 400 hoods had a inner structure that was unique to that model and year only. The 68-9 400 used the same inner structure as all 68-9 flat hoods. I havent tried to put a 1967 400 hood on an OHC-6 but I bet it wont fit. So question again ,whens someone going to repo these in USA?

A: I always look forward to your comments. They agree with my own experiences and usually add to what I know. I just went through installing a nice 1967 400 steel hood on my 1969 bird. The following is what I learned in the process.

*The 1967 400 hoods are unique. They have a different “flatter” hood catch hole (didn’t realize the rest of the substructure was also different and now I know to watch for rust through the scoop holes). The 1967 hood latch is also unique. It does not have the extra safety mechanism (ear on the passenger side) that shoves the safety part of the latch (upper catch) over if the primary catch releases. The secondary safety catch in 1967 relies solely on its spring to shove it into the path of the upcoming hood.

*In 1968 Pontiac changed the catch in the understructure of the hood, it sticks down slightly farther on the drivers side. If you look closely you can figure out that this is required to work with the redesigned (more positive) latch. The new latch has an extra ear sticking out on the passenger side to force the safety catch into place if the primary catch releases. One other thing, the 1968 latch has the same “lever” pull as the 1967. So in summary, in 1968 the catch (which is spot welded into the hood substructure) changed, the hood latch mechanism changed and the pull lever on the hood latch remained the same.

*In 1969 the hood remained the same as 1968, the hood latch also remained the same, and the hood latch pull was changed to a “rod”.

So every year has its differences but all hoods can work for all years and external appearances are the same. However, do not try to cut corners and mix the wrong latch with the wrong hood catch. I know a few horror stories from those who have tried this.

Oh and by the way it took me about 30 minutes with a drill, jig saw, and dremel to make a perfect “factory” hood tach hole. I’m sure the second one would be faster.

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Q: Hood Styles for Different Models

I was under the impression there where two hoods the stock hood & the 400 hood. Is this not true?

A: True. 1967, 1968 Firebird had (2) different Hoods. 1969 had (4) Hoods….

1967 Standard (flat) 9788846
1967 “400” (scooped) 9789418
1968-1969 Standard (flat) 9793429
1968-1969 “400” (scooped) 9793430
1969 “400” w/Ram Air 9797763
1969 Trans Am 5460140

*NOTE: Despite the ‘modification’ to the underside of most factory Ram Air Firebirds in 1967 and 1968, there was not a unique “Ram Air” Hood for these years. The modification was done at the Dealership.

The factory 1967-1968 “Ram Air” Firebirds used the standard “400” Hood and actually were shipped with closed Scoop Inserts installed and open Scoop Inserts in the trunk (for dealer to install along with Hood Baffle, Carb. Shroud and seals). So, a ‘functional Ram Air Hood’ for a 1967-1968 Firebird is no different than a regular “400” Hood (except the Scoops are open). Now, for the pursuist, there was a dealer modification required in order to install the Ram Air Hood Baffle. This involved trimming a portion of the under-structure of the Hood along the RH scoop.

The 1969 Firebird (exc. Trans Am) used a slightly different Hood when Ram Air was ordered. This was due to the new Ram Air design (functional, driver controlled scoops). There was a different Hood Baffle for 1969 which combined with a ‘Flap-System’ that allowed the driver to pull a cable-controlled knob under the dash that opened or closed the scoops. The Trans Am Hood though different than the “400” Hood, also used a similar cable-controlled scoop system.

A: I believe you may be mistaken there, that’s another one of those things about the 1969 TA that some sales literature states came with the car. The TA I owned didn’t have any provision at all for driver control of the intake scoops, nor have any others I’ve seen. We’ve most all seen that picture from the accessories brochure of the pull knob and the Ram Air decal on the mounting plate, but I have only seen that on GTO’s. I cannot answer for the 400 Sport Option cars, as I’ve only seen a couple in all the shows and POCI conventions I’ve attended, and don’t remember whether those cars were equipped.

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Q: OHC Hood Emblem Restoration

Hey guys, I searched the archives but could not find info about reworking the 3.8 Liter OHC hood emblems. Is it possible and who does it. Thanks

A: There are still lots of 3.8 liter hood emblems left out there NOS… I ve been looking for 4.1s but it seems I always found 3.8 ones. PS dont bother reworking them its just not feasible.

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Q: Ram Air Hood Pans

I was wondering if anyone has ordered and installed a reproduction Ram Air hood pan and air cleaner from either Ames or Year One for a 1968 Firebird? How was quality and fit? Thanks.

A: …The reporduction ’67/’68 Firebird Ram Air Hood Baffle was orginally from a Barry Martin (Sonic Motors) project about 8 years ago. At the time, he had hired a retired die-maker to reproduce the Baffle with a Kirksite Die. The Die Maker was surprised when Barry said it must have all original ‘Draw-Marks’ because with today’s technology, the ‘draw-marks’ do not occur as they did 30yrs ago. Anyhow, he duplicted all draw marks and stamped out less than a 100 pieces. I believe the original price was $450 and then was reduced later. I do remember going by to see the first batch of Baffles and comparing them to the original that was used as a template. The large hole was cut out using a Laser Cutter. This produced very clean edges. At the time, I couldn’t tell the difference between the two. One note though is that Kirksite material is softer than most production Tool Steel used for dies. It’s cheaper and will only last for 75 or so hits until the sharp definition starts to diminish. The last thing I remember about this project was seeing the Dies sitting on a flat bed trailer (uncovered) about a year later. Who knows how many total pieces were produced (I saw the first 50). Perhaps Year One or someone else popped out a few more. I do know from speaking with several Die makers, showing them the part, that the work required to produce this die would not have been that involved; as with everything, quantity dictates the total investment.

A: Barry Martin (Sonic Motors) did have Kirksite Dies made several years ago for the 1967-1968 Firebird Ram Air Hood Baffle. I believe he worked with Performance Years and they stamped out approx. 75 pieces and retailed them for $375-$450 ea. As for the Lower Ram Air Shroud, I’ve heard rumors of several dealers reproing this piece but have never seen one. Used, these items have been selling for close to what they went for on the recent auction. $400-$500 for the Carb. Shroud and about the same (or more) for the Hood Baffle. Scoops, wellll….. they’re all the same; Closed/Open.. doesn’t matter since the factory Ram Air Scoops were actually regular closed scoops, milled out and repackaged in a Ram Air Part Numbered GM Box. (So, don’t pay big bucks simply because of the ‘Ram Air’ label unless you’re a collector of NOS GM Boxes). If you are able to find an experienced Die Maker/Stamping facility and have the Hood and Carb Pans reproduced AND be able to sell these pieces for $400 a pair, you will have plenty of customers… no problem. Plus, remember the usage here:

Hood Baffle: 1967-1968 Firebird (and 1969 for those non-pursuists) Carb. Shroud: 1967-1968 Firebird, 1968 GTO (and 1969 F, 68-69 non-pursuists)

Thats a big market.

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