1972 Mustang functional Ram Air

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My Car
1971 Boss 351
1971 Mustang Sportsroof
1972 Q Code 4-speed conv.
I found this information about Ram Air for 1972 Mustangs I had archived a few years ago.

While I cannot validate the accuracy of the story it is interesting.

1972 Mustang Ram Air

From Dan Davis (429megasite - via Boss302.com 2004)

Ever wonder why in 1972 the Mustang two barrel had ram air and no other 1972 Mustang engine combination did? This is what caused that to happen.

RAY EDIT: We know some early to mid-year 351-4V 1972 Mustangs DID receive functional Ram Air from the factory. Explanation below helps explain these too.




In 1971 I was involved with the local Mustang Club. {One of the members} was working in the Ford test track and was complaining about the amount of overtime he had to work. He had a 1971 Bright Blue Mach 1 with a 429 CJ. He had a car for daily driving and saved his Mach 1 for those nice evening cruises. His complaint was that he couldn’t enjoy his car at all since he was working nonstop.

At that time Ford would run every engine calibration for 50K for emission certification. This was engine, transmission and final drive gear combination. This was done on the Dearborn test track. All the mileage and emission test data was input into a key punch type system for recording and governmental inspection. That was {my friend’s} job. He was one of the data entry and record keeping persons.

Each drive train combination had to go through a 50k mile emission certification. There were many combinations that had to be proven out. Having ram air was another combination that had to be tested. He was anticipating the completion of the test cycles so he could get some time off to enjoy his? 71 Mach 1.

There were government prescribed maintenance intervals and tasks that could be done to the test cars. Only the allotted tasks could be performed at the set mileage.

For whatever reason, {Mr X}a supervisor at the test track decided one fine evening to have the mechanics slap a tune up on a car. It was, I believe, a Mustang with a 4 barrel 351 Cleveland. They were ahead of schedule and the car could be taken off the track. The next day, when management reviewed the data, they observed a spike in the readings. When {the supervisor} came in for his night shift they were waiting for him.

He was quite proud of the fact that he had ordered a tune up to assist in getting the cars to successfully pass the tests and be on time. Hello Houston, this is a big problem. Management went into orbit. The problem they faced was to keep it quiet and let life go on or tell the government. They called in the government and put it all on the table.

The final resolve was to repeat the test on the cars that were in process. Rather than doing the whole 1972 line up, the government agreed to let those that had completed the test go into production. Ford figured that if they had to repeat the entire test sequence on the 1972 line up they would be introducing 1972 models in 1973.

The company also looked at the driveline combinations and started pulling out those that would increase the testing time. There were some engine, transmission, body combinations that were scrubbed from the 1972 line up. An easy one to drop was ram air.

I figured they would have fired the test track supervisor for this, they didn’t. Seems {his boss} didn’t tell him about the maintenance. He just told him to run cars and get the tests done on time.

I remember that there were large numbers of new 1972 models locked down at the assembly plants. They couldn’t get sales release until the calibration for that drive line was certified.

{My friend} got to see even less of his beloved Mach 1. He was now on a 24/7 schedule. They had people quitting the job because of the work load and pressures put on them. The government group was camped out at the test track to insure that procedures were being followed.

Remember this occurred when the emission concerns were growing and everyone was paving the emission road as they drove down it. All the auto manufactures were scrambling to meet the requirements. The government was making up testing standards on a daily basis. This had the potential to cripple Ford Motor if they had not come forward when the mistake was discovered. The entire 1972 model line was at risk. They couldn’t have gone back to selling the 1971 model as they didn’t meet the 1972 standards.

This whole mess rated a little blurb in the newspaper that Ford had encountered a problem with the government testing requirements. Ford was working with the government to insure compliance.

This is the reason that some models have ram air and others don’t. It all depended on where their driveline was in the test cycle.

--------------------------------------------------------------

 
Just shows why we need the government involved in everything..... yeah right

 


I have a complete ram air setup that I can't use. Air Cleaner and plenum that mounts to hood & uses stock air inlets. I'll take a picture of the parts tomorrow if interested.

 
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So how much does a factory installed functional ram air system on a 72 4v model affect the value against a similar non equipped model?

How can you verify it wasn't installed afterwards?

 
So how much does a factory installed functional ram air system on a 72 4v model affect the value against a similar non equipped model?

How can you verify it wasn't installed afterwards?
Verification will be on Marti Report.   Value is probably relative to the overall condition of the car and in the wallet of the purchaser.

 
I found this information about Ram Air for 1972 Mustangs I had archived a few years ago.

While I cannot validate the accuracy of the story it is interesting.

1972 Mustang Ram Air

From Dan Davis (429megasite - via Boss302.com 2004)

Ever wonder why in 1972 the Mustang two barrel had ram air and no other 1972 Mustang engine combination did?  This is what caused that to happen.

RAY EDIT:  We know some early to mid-year 351-4V 1972 Mustangs DID receive functional Ram Air from the factory.  Explanation below helps explain these too.




In 1971 I was involved with the local Mustang Club.  {One of the members} was working in the Ford test track and was complaining about the amount of overtime he had to work.  He had a 1971 Bright Blue Mach 1 with a 429 CJ.  He had a car for daily driving and saved his Mach 1 for those nice evening cruises.  His complaint was that he couldn’t enjoy his car at all since he was working nonstop.  

At that time Ford would run every engine calibration for 50K for emission certification.  This was engine, transmission and final drive gear combination.  This was done on the Dearborn test track. All the mileage and emission test data was input into a key punch type system for recording and governmental inspection.  That was {my friend’s} job.  He was one of the data entry and record keeping persons.

Each drive train combination had to go through a 50k mile emission certification.  There were many combinations that had to be proven out.  Having ram air was another combination that had to be tested.  He was anticipating the completion of the test cycles so he could get some time off to enjoy his? 71 Mach 1.

There were government prescribed maintenance intervals and tasks that could be done to the test cars.  Only the allotted tasks could be performed at the set mileage.

For whatever reason, {Mr X}a supervisor at the test track decided one fine evening to have the mechanics slap a tune up on a car.  It was, I believe, a Mustang with a 4 barrel 351 Cleveland.  They were ahead of schedule and the car could be taken off the track.  The next day, when management reviewed the data, they observed a spike in the readings.  When {the supervisor} came in for his night shift they were waiting for him.  

He was quite proud of the fact that he had ordered a tune up to assist in getting the cars to successfully pass the tests and be on time.  Hello Houston, this is a big problem.  Management went into orbit.  The problem they faced was to keep it quiet and let life go on or tell the government.  They called in the government and put it all on the table.  

The final resolve was to repeat the test on the cars that were in process.  Rather than doing the whole 1972 line up, the government agreed to let those that had completed the test go into production.  Ford figured that if they had to repeat the entire test sequence on the 1972 line up they would be introducing 1972 models in 1973.

The company also looked at the driveline combinations and started pulling out those that would increase the testing time.  There were some engine, transmission, body combinations that were scrubbed from the 1972 line up.  An easy one to drop was ram air.

I figured they would have fired the test track supervisor for this, they didn’t.  Seems {his boss} didn’t tell him about the maintenance.  He just told him to run cars and get the tests done on time.  

I remember that there were large numbers of new 1972 models locked down at the assembly plants.  They couldn’t get sales release until the calibration for that drive line was certified.

{My friend} got to see even less of his beloved Mach 1.  He was now on a 24/7 schedule.  They had people quitting the job because of the work load and pressures put on them.  The government group was camped out at the test track to insure that procedures were being followed.  

Remember this occurred when the emission concerns were growing and everyone was paving the emission road as they drove down it.  All the auto manufactures were scrambling to meet the requirements.  The government was making up testing standards on a daily basis.  This had the potential to cripple Ford Motor if they had not come forward when the mistake was discovered.  The entire 1972 model line was at risk.  They couldn’t have gone back to selling the 1971 model as they didn’t meet the 1972 standards.      

This whole mess rated a little blurb in the newspaper that Ford had encountered a problem with the government testing requirements.  Ford was working with the government to insure compliance.

This is the reason that some models have ram air and others don’t.  It all depended on where their driveline was in the test cycle.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting story. I guess Ford did not bother to do anything about re-running the emission test on all the 1973 models either. Only the Cleveland 2v, or maybe they were able to just carry the 1972 certs over to the new models year. I found the following document from the EPA an interesting historical summary how emission standards evolved in the 60s and 70s. 



 
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I believe putting Ram Air on a properly adjusted 2 barrel will increase the efficiency of the smaller carb but will not bring you up to what you can get with a 4 barrel double pumper. The 351 likes fuel and lots of it. If you're wanting economy your better off looking at a Pinto with small 4 banger.

When I had my engine built, the intake manifold made it too tall to install the factory Ram-Air so I made my own.



 
Couple of things. I use to buy used tires that came off the cars at the Ford test track they were usually feathered from going one direction more than the other in the turns. I think they were $5.00 each including the wheel.

The 72 Q code Mach 1 T-5 sitting in my back yard had ram air on it when I got it off insurance yard in the 70's. I have never got a Marti to see if it came on it or not. I have heard that only 72 Q code T-5's got the ram air since they were not sold in the U.S.. Might order the simple Marti to just see if that holds water. If it does show up I guess it is a hens tooth for sure.



 
David,

I know some early 72 Q codes (including cars built for USA market) definitely got functional ram air from the factory. But when the Feds put their preverbial foot down, that option was no longer available. I believe the cut-off date was around mid-year (about Jan 1 1971). This date is just a 'best guess' derived from misc original owner recollections and source documents including Marti reports and window stickers.

Ray

 
I seen a commercial some were that said "Has a 2 barrel with Ram Air performs like a 4 barrel that saves gas" it might have been a dealer thing
I installed the Ram Air kit on my '72 2 barrel last year and I think it made a big difference. I like the way it looks(some don't like my paint job, but they can do what they want with their car). Either way, it is always a topic of discussion at the "Cruise-in". 

If all Mach1's looked the same, it would be a pretty dull world. I guess if you plan on "Concourse Quality" you have to follow a more strict restoration code. I (me and my wife), just want to have fun!







 
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