Ram Air Features for 1968

Q: Ram Air Features for 1968

*Please review and advise on any discrepancies. If you have corrections, please provide references for verification (Pt.No’s., etc.) Thanks !

1968 Firebird Ram Air Features…

ENGINE BLOCK
Casting Number… 9792506
Codes… WI (RAI-MT), XN (RAI-AT), WU (RAII-MT), XT (RAII-AT) {4-Bolt Main}

CYLINDER HEADS
Casting Number… 31 (RAI ‘D’ Port) 96 (RAII Round Port)…’stamped’
* Not all “96” Cyl.Heads were stamped

EXHAUST MANIFOLDS
Ram Air I & H.O….. Cast Iron Long Branch (‘D’ Port) 9779424-R…9779495-L
Ram Air II….. Cast Iron Long Branch (round-port) 9794036-R…9794038-L
* w/Thermostatic Heat Control Valve in RH manifold

AXLE
3.90… “ZP” (4-Pinion)
*No Ram Air Firebirds came from the factory w/4.33axle although it was available. Safe-T-Track was mandatory.

TRANS
Manual Trans… M-21 Close-Ratio Muncie (“FX”)
Auto-Trans… T.H.M (“PQ”)
* ALL 1967-1968 Ram Air Firebirds came with two-piece speedo cables and gear reducers. ((( ? PART NUMBER ?)))

INTAKE MANIFOLD
Casting # 9790140 (1st Type…. all 4Bbl’s incl. the RA I… exc. RA II)
Casting # 9794234 (2nd Type….all 4Bbl’s incl. the RA II … after May’68)

CARBURETOR
RAI…. (MT) 7028277 (AT) 7028276
RAII… (MT) 7028273 (AT) 7028270

CARB. VAC. BREAK CONTROL
Pt. # 7038237 (Ram Air I) …Black plastic Cover
Pt. # 7038239 (Ram Air II) …Green Plastic Cover

THROTTLE CABLE BRACKET
Pt. # 9792242 was used on the 1st Type Intake Manifold (9790140)
Pt. # 9797415 was used on the 2nd Type Intake Manifold (9794234)
* 2nd Type stamped “F-4”

OIL FILTER ADAPTOR
(Alum.- filter to block) *Used on all RA & H.O. engines Pt.# 9794111

DISTRIBUTOR
Pt. # 1111449 (exc. RA II)
The Ram Air I cars used the same Distributor as found on 400 M.T. and H.O. cars
*Only the RAII had a unique Distributor, Pt. # 1111941. (MT or AT)

RADIATOR
All Ram Air cars used the H.D. Harrison Radiator.
Manual Trans: “UQ”
Auto Trans: “UP”

RAM AIR HOOD BAFFLE
(pentagon shaped stamped sheet-metal pan, screwed to hood)
Pt. # 9793161

RAM AIR HOOD BAFFLE SEAL
Pt. # 9789883

RAM AIR CARB. SHROUD (Air Inlet)
(round stamped sheet-metal ‘tub’, set on carb.)
Pt. # 9792987

RAM AIR CARB. SHROUD SEAL
Pt. # 9793163

RAM AIR AIR FILTER ELEMENT COVER (black)
Pt. # 6424398

RAM AIR AIR FILTER ELEMENT
Pt. # 6421746 (A212CW & A-274C- paper wetted)

RAM AIR HOOD SCOOPS
(Cast-Metal Scoops “open”)
Pt. #9794283/84

NOTES:
* All Ram Air cars were shipped to the dealer with the Ram Air Baffle, Shroud, Air-Filter, Seals and Open Hood Scoops shipped in the trunk. From ’67 until early 1968, the parts were removed from the trunks and returned to the parts-crib by guards/inspectors while preparing to ship as they suspected theft. This discrepancy was corrected and it is assumed that parts were forwarded to the dealership for installation.

* All Ram Air cars came with a standard 4-Blade Rad’t. Cooling Fan unless optioned with the ‘Flex-Fan’.

* Ram Air Firebird’s ordered with the Ram Air Option and Underhood Lamp were modified at the Dealership in order for the Lamp Assy to clear the Hood Baffle. The Lamp was moved slightly outboard to clear the Baffle.

* The Underhood Structure req’d. a modification to the RH side near the Scoop in order to allow proper fit/sealing of the Ram Air Baffle & Seal. This was performed at the dealership while the Ram Air parts were being installed. A small section of the Underhood Metal was snipped away. In most all case’s, this was a crude alteration and is usually quite noticeable.

* The Code used on the Broadcast Sheet for Ram Air Engines was “Y”.

* No identifying codes were noted on the Firewall Trim Tag and/or VIN to indicate the Ram Air option.

* Less than 50 Ram Air Firebird’s have been accounted for to date.

* The Ram Air I production was from Aug 1967 until May 1968.

* Ram Air II production started May 20th 1968. The option code was still “347” however, the package price was increased. (sometimes found noted on the Billing History).

* Earliest known RA I was built in Oct. 1967 (Verdoro Green)

* The last 1968 RA II ‘Bird produced was invoiced Aug. 6 1968 (4spd coupe)

*For more information…please contact John Schuh FRamair@aol.com

“GENERATION-1 Firebird Registry” http://members.aol.com/Framair/Gen1.html

A: If you were surprised about the “standard” block for the 1967 Ram Air cars, how about learning that most of the blocks for the 1968 Ram Air II engines were “standard” 400 cid blocks (9790071) that were fitted with four-bolt caps!!! Some had the last four digits ground off and were re-stamped with —“2506”, but most were left with the 9790071.

Also your 1967 and 1968 lists show that the cylinder heads had their numbers stamped on them. Not so! All of the ’67 Ram Air “997” heads and the 1968 Ram Air I and II (“31” and “96”) heads were cast!!! Any heads with the numbers stamped on them were done by racers to satisfy the folks at the NHRA, for drag racing.

Find that information on a build sheet or trim tag!!!

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