Ram Air vacuum actuators

[The Granjer]

Where is a good source for ram air actuators? I have hear of using the actuators off of the air cleaner intake snorkel, but I don’t want to buy one just for the actuator. I have one, but it doesn’t hold vacuum. I did a search but didn’t have much luck. TIA

Kevin

 

[donkost]

I don't believe there are repops of these available anywhere. There are threads which show how to open them, replace the rubber inside from another currently available part, and then close them up again. Mine are not connected to vacuum and are presumably bad, and my ram air flappers are just in the open position ('71 429CJ-R).

 

[Paul M]

Where is a good source for ram air actuators? I have hear of using the actuators off of the air cleaner intake snorkel, but I don’t want to buy one just for the actuator. I have one, but it doesn’t hold vacuum. I did a search but didn’t have much luck. TIA

Kevin

It's hard to find a direct replacement, when you do they are proud of them. I just went through this a cpl o wks ago. I ended up cross referencing the original numbers and came up with a list of @ 8 different ones & found one on Ebay for 20.00. There's another one on the x ref list on Ebay now for double that price. I found a Napa Echlin Air Cleaner Vacuum Motor 2-2219 and used it. The tang/prong had to be slightly modified (shorter) to close completely and one hole had to be drilled since one tab was 1/4" off. If you are going for a concours exact part, you can disassemble your original ones, mark the direction of the prong and reassemble with new vacuum diaphragms or wait for an original to pop up on the net for 60-150.00.

 

[The Granjer]

Thank you all. That's kinda what I was thinking. I'll keep on looking.

 

[Paul M]

There's other links on this site that shows the rebuild in detail. There's also a place that rebuilds them it starts w/a P. I didn't like their prices.

 

[Stanglover]

We made millions of vacuum motors at Canadian Fram back in the 70's. In the prototype shop where I worked (1973+), we had tooling so we could fabricate whatever was needed. I lost count of how many I fabricated or changed over the years. Boy, do I wish I'd snagged a box or two of parts, I'd be rich!
Hind sight hind sight.

 

[AcesArneson]

We made millions of vacuum motors at Canadian Fram back in the 70's. In the prototype shop where I worked (1973+), we had tooling so we could fabricate whatever was needed. I lost count of how many I fabricated or changed over the years. Boy, do I wish I'd snagged a box or two of parts, I'd be rich!
Hind sight hind sight.

I don’t know about being rich but you would have a ton of thankful friends.

 

[Bobby]

If you are speaking of the vacuum actuators on the ram air plenum, you can just buy an new repro plenum and remove the vacuum actuators from the plenum or remove your old plenum and replace it with the repro.

 

[The Granjer]

Thank you all. That's kinda what I was thinking. I'll keep on looking.

Rather dated update:

Standard Motor Products VA20 Vacuum Actuator $43.73 / ea.​

I found these on Amazon and seem to be the correct spec. They have two screw holes for mounting but have a black plastic body. So if you're not building a concourse car, I thin these would be a good replacement to get your flaps working.

 

[71coop]

Vivid racing sells them too

 

[The Granjer]

Vivid racing sells them too

I forgot about them. They were cheaper than Amazon, too, so I bought my second one there. Thanks for the input.

 

[73mockone]

Does anyone have experience replating the actuators? My originals operate but are definitely looking a little ratty!

 

[JPWally]

I had my actuators stripped & re-plated by my local plater with no problem. However, there is something I would recommend you do. That is, find a way to block the actuator rod & diaphragm part way open so any trapped fluids that seep into the canister can drain/escape.
My diaphragms leached a minor bit of acid out of the canisters that eventually took off some of the new zinc di-chromate.

JPW

 

[tony-muscle]

I posted these cross-references a few years ago. They may need minor mods to fit. I used a screw instead of a rivet.
Borg Warner #EC514
BWD EC514
AIRTEX 6V1021
CARQUEST 577750
WELLS E308

A lot of info here:
https://7173mustangs.com/threads/hood-ram-air-housings-inserts-flap-components.28767/

 

[73mockone]

I had my actuators stripped & re-plated by my local plater with no problem. However, there is something I would recommend you do. That is, find a way to block the actuator rod & diaphragm part way open so any trapped fluids that seep into the canister can drain/escape.
My diaphragms leached a minor bit of acid out of the canisters that eventually took off some of the new zinc di-chromate.

JPW

I would have probably over looked that, Thanks!

 

[73mockone]

I posted these cross-references a few years ago. They may need minor mods to fit. I used a screw instead of a rivet.
Borg Warner #EC514
BWD EC514
AIRTEX 6V1021
CARQUEST 577750
WELLS E308

A lot of info here:
https://7173mustangs.com/threads/hood-ram-air-housings-inserts-flap-components.28767/

The actuators are functioning fine, but using the links provided, and a search of the forum, I could not find anyone with experience replating or refinishing them. Thanks!