RAM AIR SYSTEM INFORMATION

Click this Link for the Photos on Ford Ram Air.com reproduction Ram Air Seal: Repro Ram Air Seal Page

Above is the ram air air cleaner used on the 429 CJ and SCJ Mustang. The MPC shows two different parts numbers - one for the CJ ram air air cleaner and one for the SCJ. 

This is due to a difference in the design of the anti-rotation tabs which were unique to the Holley (for SCJ) and Rochestor (for CJ) carburetors as shown in the photo above. Research is currently underway to see if any dimensional differences exist.

The photo above left, for comparative purposes, shows the type of ram air air cleaner used on the 351 Cleveland in a 71 - 73 Mustang. At center, an A to B comparison of 351C to 429 CJ/SCJ ram air air cleaner (side view). At right, a top view of 429 CJ/SCJ  to 351C type. Notice how on the 429 air cleaner, the rubber seal is concentric to the housing whereas on the 351 version, the seal is offset from the housing. 

The drawing above details the components of the 429 CJ/SCJ ram air air cleaner to the 351C version.

Ram Air Hood Rear Edge Blackout

This photo shows the black paint applied by the factory to the rear edge of light colored 71 Mustang hoods. (original and restored pics shown)

429 MUSTANG RAM AIR SYSTEM

Note that the 429 Mustang Ram Air Air cleaner came from the factory with no decals.

Ram Air Assembly Details

Note the silver zinc coating on the vacuum actuators and the dichromate coating on the vacuum hose bracket. Correct hose routing and vacuum hose markings and T are also shown. (Thanks to Thiago Muneratto for these excellent photos)

Ram Air Hose

It is believed that the original factory ram air hose was marked with a series of blue "x"s as shown on the reproduction sample above. We would like to find an original sample to confirm this.
 

Installed view of plenum

. 

Vacuum Actuated Flapper

 Plenum 

Plenum and Flappers

429 Ram Air Air Cleaner (Top View)

429 Ram Air Air Cleaner (Side View)

Snorkel Details

Snorkel Underside with Part Number

Snorkel Part Number

     

71 429 Mustang Snorkel

To be sure you have a correct snorkel, make sure the flange end looks like our example with the snorkel attachment holes centered vertically on the flange with a recess present. Other snorkel versions can look very similar but are not the factory correct version for the 71 429 CJ/SCJ Mustang. Check out Tom Cherry's Snorkel Identification Page for more details.
 

Ram Air Seal

Note that the correct seal for the 429 Mustang has 3 raised ribs along the top as shown below.

Seal & Lid   

Note that the correct 429 Ram Air lid is flat (not dimpled in) in the area shown by the red arrows.

Artist's rendering of ram air ducting above and diagram showing expanded view with all components below.

Based on the two most original 71 429 SCJ Mustangs in our group, it appears that the "hump" around the carburetor was painted flat black as shown on John McMasters (L) and Fred Coyner's (R) extremely original (less than 20,000 miles) cars. The underside of the lid was painted Ford blue like the rest of the air cleaner.

Above and below are installed views of the 429 Mustang non ram air (C-Code) air cleaner.

About that Decal on the lid...

We have been trying to confirm 1) Whether there was decal on the chrome lid from the factory and 2) If there was a decal, did it say "Cobra" of "Cobra Jet".  Recently, we heard from an original C Code owner who told us his did, in fact,  come with a decal on the chrome lid and it said "Cobra Jet".

Where things stand...
Based on the small amount of info we have received to date, it appears that  the 71 429 Mustang Air Cleaner decal may have said "429 Cobra Jet", however,  when reviewing old air cleaner lids, it just isn't possible to tell if an old decal is original or not, we can't be certain, so the "429 Cobra" decal could have been used - we just don't know. One suggestion we received was that the  "429 Cobra" decal could have come from a Torino application - not sure.  With all the old decals out there, we may never know for sure. Research will continue.
 

The photos above and below show detailed views of the C-code (non-ram air versions) of chrome lid air cleaners with the "Cobra Jet" decal submitted by Megasite readers.

Below is a "barn find" 71 429 CJ Mach 1 (built 4/71) with a "429 Cobra" decal.

Note the vacuum door on the side of the air cleaner that opened to let in more air than what flowed through the snorkel.  It worked the same as the ram air flapper doors on the hood. The actuator is shown above. A diagram showing an expanded view of the entire assembly is shown below.

Cougar Air Cleaner

Cougar Flapper Lid (top)

Cougar Flapper Lid (bottom)

Cougar hood underside 

Seal Locating Tab 

Mercury Cougar