Ram Air Features for 1968
Short answer: This is a reference list of the 1968 Firebird Ram Air specifications and part numbers, with member corrections noted below.
| Component | Details / Part Numbers |
|---|---|
| Engine block | Casting 9792506, 4-bolt main. Codes: WI (RA-I MT), XN (RA-I AT), WU (RA-II MT), XT (RA-II AT) |
| Cylinder heads | Casting “31” (RA-I, D-port), “96” (RA-II, round-port) — cast (see correction below) |
| Exhaust manifolds | RA-I & H.O.: cast-iron long-branch (D-port) 9779424-R / 9779495-L. RA-II: round-port 9794036-R / 9794038-L. Thermostatic heat-control valve in RH manifold |
| Axle | 3.90 “ZP” (4-pinion). No factory Ram Air Firebird came with the 4.33 (though available); Safe-T-Track mandatory |
| Transmission | Manual: M-21 close-ratio Muncie (“FX”). Auto: TH400 (“PQ”). All 1967–68 RA cars used two-piece speedo cables and gear reducers |
| Intake manifold | 9790140 (1st type, all 4-bbl incl. RA-I, exc. RA-II); 9794234 (2nd type, all 4-bbl incl. RA-II, after May ’68) |
| Carburetor | RA-I: 7028277 (MT) / 7028276 (AT). RA-II: 7028273 (MT) / 7028270 (AT) |
| Carb vacuum-break control | 7038237 (RA-I, black cover); 7038239 (RA-II, green cover) |
| Throttle cable bracket | 9792242 (1st-type intake 9790140); 9797415 (2nd-type intake 9794234, stamped “F-4”) |
| Oil filter adaptor | 9794111 (aluminum, all RA & H.O. engines) |
| Distributor | 1111449 (exc. RA-II; same as 400 MT and H.O.). RA-II unique: 1111941 (MT or AT) |
| Radiator | HD Harrison: “UQ” (MT), “UP” (AT) |
| Ram Air hood baffle | 9793161 |
| Hood baffle seal | 9789883 |
| Carb shroud (air inlet) | 9792987 |
| Carb shroud seal | 9793163 |
| Air filter element cover (black) | 6424398 |
| Air filter element | 6421746 (A212CW & A-274C, paper wetted) |
| Hood scoops (open, cast metal) | 9794283 / 9794284 |
Notes:
- All Ram Air cars were shipped to the dealer with the baffle, shroud, air filter, seals, and open hood scoops in the trunk (early on, guards/inspectors removed these to the parts crib over theft concerns; later forwarded to dealers for installation).
- All Ram Air cars used a standard 4-blade cooling fan unless the Flex-Fan was ordered.
- Cars with both Ram Air and the underhood lamp had the lamp moved slightly outboard at the dealer to clear the baffle; the underhood structure near the RH scoop was also trimmed (usually a crude, noticeable cut) for the baffle to seal.
- The Broadcast-Sheet code for Ram Air engines was “Y.” No Ram Air code appears on the trim tag or VIN.
- Fewer than 50 Ram Air Firebirds have been accounted for. RA-I production: Aug 1967–May 1968 (earliest known Oct 1967). RA-II production started May 20, 1968 (option code still 347, higher price); last 1968 RA-II invoiced Aug 6, 1968.
Corrections from members: Most 1968 RA-II engines actually used standard 400 blocks (9790071) fitted with four-bolt caps — some had the last four digits ground off and re-stamped “2506,” but most were left 9790071. Also, the cylinder-head casting numbers were cast, not stamped (all 1967 RA “997” heads and 1968 RA-I/RA-II “31”/”96″ heads) — heads with stamped numbers were done by racers for NHRA, not the factory.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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