Topic: 1971 Mach I Ram Air Question

[Laurie S.]

Through a business partnership I am acquiring a very solid, nice 1971 Mach I.  I got the Marti report and it does show it is a 351 2V with an FMX transmission, a/c, p/s, console, full tinted windows, and am radio.  The car has a NASA hood and Ram Air, but without the rubber seal.  I am being told that the Ram Air was put on by the dealer because a 351C with a/c wouldn't receive Ram Air from the factory. 

Is this true, or do I need to adjust my bs meter?  I won't be going concours with the car, but most likely occasional driver.  It depends on what is actually original.  There may be some other dealer changes, but I don't have any documentation yet.  Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but I would like to know what is in my stable.

[DWhitaker]

Laurie,
  Not so. My wife has a 71 Mach I 351 4V with ac that she has owned since 74. It is factory equipped with ram air and is so reflected on the Marti report. If not equipped with the ram air, the hood had honeycomb block off plates to cover the holes in the hood. Hope this helps.
                               Regards,
                               Dennis

[Laurie S.]

Thanks Dennis, I haven't seen the car in person yet, so I can't check details.  What I did just learn is that the 351 2V cars (H code) couldn't receive Ram Air from the factory, so that's apparently what is happening here.  It's nothing to do with the a/c, but rather the engine code, which makes a lot more sense to me.

[roadrunner]

In 71 only 351-4v, Boss 351's, and 429 cars could be equipped from the factory with Ram Air. In 72 only 351-2V cars had it from the factory which was also the year Ford lowered the compression ratio. Made no sense to me then or now.

[svo2scj]

Ford got into an battle with US gov over 1972 emissions levels when they "tried" to submit the 2V figures to cover all engines with the 351C.  I think it was the 4V that DIDN'T pass the levels and thus lost the Ram Air

Mark

[nham3407]

I beleive it was the H-Code 351-2V that could receive the ram air option from the factory.  Does anyone have a copy of a build sheet indicating if ram air was installed?  I have my Marti Report and it does not indicate ram air, but I beleive the car may have had it based upon the dimpling of the attachment points on the underside of the hood.  My Marti Report does not include the front and rear spoilers, but my build sheet indicates they were installed at the factory. 

[J_Speegle]

.......... Does anyone have a copy of a build sheet indicating if ram air was installed? .........................

Have one from a Boss 351 (so we know it would have had the ram air) with the "HOOD OPT." box B-40 marked with an "F" . Have a number of other 71's that look like they got the hood, but not the ram air - marked with a "N" in that same box

Hope that helps a little

[nham3407]

Jspeegle,

Thank you.  My build sheet shows "N".  Darn, I was hoping it was originaly equiped as I just purchased an OE plenum and flappers at a great price.  I made need to sleep on this one to see if I may just go ahead and install it after all.

[desperadoron]

I ordered my '71 Mach1 Logan ford Springfield Va. M code 351 W/ac ram air