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#1
06-24-2008, 08:22 PM
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71/72 Ram Air System
I was thinking about buying this system for my 71 GTO 455HO car but I am not sure if it is right for my car. The lid is chrome which I know is not right but was wondering if somebody chromed the orginal lid? Also the diaphragms are missing are they available or reproduced or just as hard to find as the system? Thanks for any help you guys can give me.
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71 GTO Convertible 455HO AT Canyon Copper Last edited by JOHNNYGOAT; 06-24-2008 at 08:50 PM. |
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#2
06-24-2008, 08:45 PM
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Reproductions are available for most 71-72 ram air parts...Hood Pan, rubber boots, diaphrams, supports, etc..They are not exact replicas or origional quality but I used it all on mine. They are available from Aames and PY. Also your air cleaner has the studs coming out of the bottom of the snorkles for the air cleaner support brackets...cool. The replicas don't have them and if you search earlier threads here there was a whole discussion about them. I think they help keep the snorkels and boots in a tighter seal around the hood pan openings. I can't answer the question about the chrome lid on your air cleaner..you might be right that it was chromed. The shape looks correct.
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Matt in L.A. 72 Lemans, Endura Option, Bright Yellow (over original Monarch Yellow), Black Interior and Vinyl top, Rally IIs, 350 Modified with: w/Q-Jet and Ram Air, Buckets, console shift and custom sport wheel. |
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#3
06-24-2008, 09:40 PM
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I had a RA air cleaner years ago that was also modified like this one, someone removed the thermac valves/doors for more airflow. They also cut the openings bigger in the air cleaner where the boots from the hood rest. You may want to have the seller take some pics without the home made boots attached to the snorkles to see if this one has been modified there also. If your going for a factory look you'll want to correct those modifications & fixing the snorkle holes if they've been cut oversize isn't an easy job.
I'm not sure if the repro thermac parts will fit in the original air cleaners or not, you'll almost need to have them side by side to compare. |
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#4
06-24-2008, 10:16 PM
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No chrome lids after 1970. Painted lids only. Check the latest HPP for some good pics (especially the last page) of a RA system for '71/'72.
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JLP |
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#5
06-24-2008, 10:49 PM
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Okay, a couple of things on this lid. You can get the vacuum diaphrams as they are reproduced, BUT they are not correct. The hose attachment is turned about a quarter turn and the arm where it attaches to the flap(door) is MUCH shorter than original. They are made to fit the repo'd air cleaners so they won't sit in the right configuration in an original air cleaner. I have one similar to the one for sale, it is missing the flaps. You can buy the flaps repo'd. They are close, but not quite right. Fit is off slightly and won't completely cover the warm air hole. I have searched for originals, but haven't found any. Also, the repo'd flaps don't have the little "tent" in the flap where the vac. diaphram attaches. The repo'd flaps attaches underneath and they are flat. You can use original diaphrams from other air cleaners with the repo'd flaps, you will just have to shorten the attachment rod and make a new bend to connect to the repo flap. I have taken off ones from single snorkel air cleaners and will be using those as they are the exact same. Only way one will be able to tell is by the missing "tent".....that little bump in the flap. Hopefully the seller still has the flaps(doors)....be sure to check.
I'll take some pics of what I have and post when I get a chance.
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Pat Brown Last edited by PB; 06-24-2008 at 10:56 PM. |
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#6
06-24-2008, 11:06 PM
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Do you guys think it would be better to just buy a repo. How is the quality and fit. Do you weld studs onto to the snorkels.
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71 GTO Convertible 455HO AT Canyon Copper |
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#7
06-24-2008, 11:07 PM
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Here are some pics of what I described above. REPO on the left, ORIG on the right.
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Pat Brown |
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#8
06-24-2008, 11:16 PM
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First pic shows the repo vs original...shorter connecting rod and the vac connection is on the OPPOSITE side.
Second pic is of the bracket that holds the diaphram. FONT is WAY off from original. You should be able to find these no problem...cob em off old single snorkels. 3rd and 4th pic is of the flaps (doors). Very close and Better than nothing. BUT, not quite right. Note in the 4th pic the "tent" I refer to. Hope these help. I bought these and will be retro fitting the flaps into my original pan. The lay person probably won't be able to catch it...the missing tent. I have thought of grafting one onto the repo ones, but I think it will be more work than reasonable.
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Pat Brown |
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#9
06-24-2008, 11:24 PM
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Quote:
 .You could purchase the one above, but with the flaps and diaphrams missing, that price is a little steep, JMO. Though, I wouldn't hesitate if they were all there.
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Pat Brown |
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#10
06-25-2008, 08:34 AM
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The air cleaner is from a 71, it has the correct rounded bumps in the pan and the one flat spot at the back.
I have one that has been modified as well, it will still work, but not correct...sad!
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Some guys they just give up living And start dying little by little, piece by piece, Some guys come home from work and wash up, And go racin' in the street. Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978 |
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#11
06-25-2008, 08:57 AM
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PB
Thanks for sharing the photo's and info. This is the kind of stuff that makes this site so valuable.
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"Honestly the car will only be there for a few weeks, OK maybe a month at the most" |
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#12
06-25-2008, 09:55 AM
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Quote:
Mine looked similar to yours before I started, only though that back hole on mine wasn't quite as big! I took a donor single snorkel air cleaner and cut out the curved section and grafted them in. I would have to point out where the holes were in order for you to see them now...it turned out great. I think you could do the same with this cleaner.
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Pat Brown |
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#13
06-25-2008, 10:02 AM
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Quote:
Glad to do it. Especially since I have been working on one in the same condition!
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Pat Brown |
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#14
06-25-2008, 10:08 AM
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Here's the one I'm talking about. I bought this air cleaner for the flaps (doors) to put in a nicer condition one that is missing the flaps. I will install the repo doors and original vac cannisters in this one and no one will be the wiser....EXCEPT those reading this
 . I was able to bend the smashed down pre heater connection lip back. It turned out pretty good. At least now I can get an elbow on that bad boy!
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Pat Brown |
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#15
06-25-2008, 10:13 AM
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IF you do buy that, be sure to see a pic with those homemade boots removed. Like Steve said, many times they would cut the openings there where the boots sit. If that is the case, I'd steer clear unless for cheap or don't mind the openings.
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Pat Brown |
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#16
06-25-2008, 02:24 PM
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Thanks PB Great pictures and info. All you guys have been a great help. Still decicing what to do. Will have to check those holes.
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71 GTO Convertible 455HO AT Canyon Copper |
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#17
06-25-2008, 04:29 PM
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Just one last thing. Can you put the repo air cleaner on a car with an HIE distrib?
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#18
06-25-2008, 05:29 PM
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Awesome info and pictures Pat! Thanks for taking the time to post and explain. I have a repop on my 71 HO car and one problem that I have is that it will not set properly on the 7041273 Carb. A casting on the passenger side that looks like it protects the secondary linkage or something - hits the underside of the breather and causes it to sit to high on that side. I would love to see an original next to a repop to see the difference in the forming of the donut. The original has to have some sort of offset indention to accomodate that part of the original carb so that the breather will sit flush and everything line up right.
BJ
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1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership 
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#19
06-25-2008, 05:54 PM
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Here is a pic of an original inside and back side I have on my puter, see if you can see any differences here BJ. Post a pic of your repo and maybe we can hash it out
Oh, that pic on the left below, is the one that had two holes in it for a holly. Looks pretty nice eh?
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Pat Brown |
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#20
06-25-2008, 07:59 PM
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Quote:
 Mike |
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