Does anyone know what would be involved with adding a ram air setup to my 73? I know the original system had some kind vacuum setup. I've seen non original ones without the vacuum hoses. I'd rather it look original but I'm not sure where the vac hoses would go.
Thanks....

 

Would require the appropriate hood (ram air, of course) a fiberglass plenum under the hood, base assembly, vacuum actuators for the flapper doors on both scoops, seal for the plenum... i think thats about all.

 

I think everything is now available. It even seems itlooks more so like the NOS stuff.I think the vacuum hose kit has the clamps to hold itunder the hood and there is a diagram as to where they clamp. There is a 429 Mustang and Cougar megasite that has a lot of photos and info. I have my 429 J code torn down and will have to refer to that site for the info. Should be easy to add, just make sure the air breather height is OK before you drop the hood.
http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/

 

If it helps... one thing to be mindful of is that the 73 Ram Air base is unique to the 73. I ran into trouble installing Ram Air on my 73 Q code car because the system I used came off of a VERY rusty 1971 Boss 351. In 71 and 72 Ford did not use EGR plates. The use of the EGR plate in 73 necessitated a shorter base to maintain proper hood plenum to air cleaner base fitment. Since I had my system in hand... I just removed the EGR plate and stored it away. All is well without it. It is also worth mentioning that I used one of the D1ZX / Buddy Bar aluminum Boss 351 intakes on my car. It has the proper height to allow the Boss 351 system to fit as it should.

There is a HUGE difference between the 429 Ram Air and the 351 Ram Air bases. They will not interchange. The Ram Air lids are also specific to the 351 OR 429. They are NOT the same.

The plenum and flappers are the same for all 3 years and all models 351 or 429.

BUT...if you plan on competing in a concours class you probably should research the numbers and markings etc... There are specific stamped in numbers on the original bases and they are easily seen from the top. A concours judge might deduct points for an incorrect number. Also, Ram Air was ONLY available on the 351-2V in 1973. You could not get it on any other engine. Not even the 4 barre Clevelands.

Lastly, you will run into a few folks who'll tell you that the standard Mach 1 hood from 71-73 was the plain jane flat hood. ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. All Mach 1's used the same Ram Air style hood.

Others will also tell you that you could get Ram Air on a 302 in 71, 72 or 73. Again, ABSOLUTELY FALSE ! Ford did tool up to put the Boss 302 in the 71's but it was NEVER built. The Boss 351 was the only Boss engine ever used from 71-73 and it was 1971 ONLY.

The only engines which could be had with Ram Air was the 351 in 2 barrel or 4 barrel form from 1971-72. In 1973 351-2V ONLY. In 1971 ONLY, you could get Ram Air on the 429 CJ and SCJ's BUT the bases are different even between these two. One used a Holley carb and the other used a Rochester Quadrajet. Yes indeed, I said Quadrajet.

I hope this helps, Dean

P.S. I've added a pic of my Boss 351 system on my 73 4 barrel car. It isn't concours correct but I like it so I'll leave it be. I did not use the Vac lines because I leave the flappers open all the time. It just looks better that way.



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You can buy a factory correct setup from a number of sources, NPD, JC Pony Parts, Ohio Mustang, to name a few places. Don't worry about a vacuum source because the flappers will stay open without vaccuum. However, at the rear of your intake manifold should be a metal fitting that has vacuum ports.
FWIW I intalled on of those repops on my engine with Blue Thunder and I don't have an clearance problems at all.

 

i got super lucky to have gotten all my ram air stuff when i bought my car in 79 i had to make a coupla trips back to the guys house to pick up all of it cause he had takin it off and used a chrome cleaner, but he found all of it and it still works ive had to replace the vac pots but other than that it works...