[oldsmobiledave]

I came across a 1974 Formula 455 for sale. Seller claims that it is 1 of only 160 cars built with Ram Air.

Does the 1 on 160 refer to all Formulas (400 and 455 combined) or just 455 cars?

The re-po sale sticker shows $43.68 charge for the Ram Air hood. Does that prove that this is 1 of 160?

Thanks in advance

[oldsmobiledave]

A friend is telling me that on another site it is posted that 455 cars could not get functional Ram Air in 1974 rather only 400 cars could. Is that correct?

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by oldsmobiledave

A friend is telling me that on another site it is posted that 455 cars could not get functional Ram Air in 1974 rather only 400 cars could. Is that correct?

I have a Firebird Red Book - it might show the "ram air hood inlet" option as requiring the L75 & M40 - otherwise you would have to reference to an options book, or an ordering sheet (supplied with PHS package).
The Canadian version of PHS will list options, but not much for the extra stuff which comes with PHS.

[unruhjonny]

PHS will verify if it's a "ram air hood inlet" car;

This was only available from the factory on L75/455 M40/automatic cars for this year;

I know for a fact they were installed on other applications through to 1975 at dealers - I have a first hand account of seeing new for 1975 Formulas having the setup installed on unsold cars on the dealer lot.

I pulled all the hood parts off of a '74 L75/M40 SK car many years ago...

[johnta1]

I think there were 1,478 Formulas produced with Ram Air (functional hood)

Not sure if for 400 and 455 or just 455?

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Not sure if for 400 and 455 or just 455?

I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first, or the last time) - but I seem to recall this was brought up recently, and that it was mentioned that this was an L75-only thing for 1974 ~ and in 1974, the L75 required M40.

<- because the 455 requiring an automatic make ZERO sense to me... maybe emissions or warranty claims issues?

AFAIK the L75 could be had with either spd (M21 required) or M40 for 1973;
So maybe they didn't want to put a 455 infront of an M20.. or the forthcoming ST-10?
(iirc the ST-10 replaced the M20 part way into the 74 model year)

Then for 1975 & 1976 the 455 could only be had with the ST-10.




hopefully this post isn't lilttered with errors, I am trying in earnest to be helpful.

[oldsmobiledave]

Originally Posted by johnta1

I think there were 1,478 Formulas produced with Ram Air (functional hood)

Not sure if for 400 and 455 or just 455?

Since there were only 702 455 Formulas if 1478 Formulas had Ram Air then some of the cars has to be 400 equipped. Was Ram Air optional with the 350?

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by oldsmobiledave

Since there were only 702 455 Formulas if 1478 Formulas had Ram Air then some of the cars has to be 400 equipped. Was Ram Air optional with the 350?

nope;
from 1970-1974 the Pontiac 350 was only available with a 2bbl carb.
The only 1974 Pontiac 350 which came with a 4bbl carb was the one installed in the GTO's;
The RA air cleaner required a 4bbl carb.

[johnta1]

the L75 required M40.

This is correct also for 1974.

[unruhjonny]

GM of Canada documents are nice;
They will give you a "1 of" stat base on the more rare options;
It could be that GM of Canada has literature which suggests something along the lines of "1 of 160 W66/L78 cars sold in Canada with the ram air hood option".

And for those who need a brishing up the only year which a Ram Air engine was an option for second gen Formulas was 1970;
1970: "Ram Air 400" engine (RAIII) included a functional hood.
1971: The "ram air hood" was an option available exclusively to 455HO Formulas.
1972: The "ram air hood" was included no charge on all 455HO Formulas.
1973: The "ram air hood" option returned; unsure of availability, apparently 553 Formulas has the option; I suspect both Formula 400(L78) & Formula 455(L75) could have it.
1974: "ram air hood" option returned; some sources state only Formula 400(L78) could have it, but it is known to be factory equipmment on Formula 455(L75) cars.
1975: Last year of 1st design Formula hood; "ram air hood" option nla - dealer installs only.

[oldsmobiledave]

I appreciate all the input on this thread. Anyone care to tell me what it is worth?

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

GM of Canada documents are nice;
They will give you a "1 of" stat base on the more rare options;
It could be that GM of Canada has literature which suggests something along the lines of "1 of 160 W66/L78 cars sold in Canada with the ram air hood option".

Dave, have you contacted GM of Canada Vintage Services yet to see if they do have a 1 of ... stat?
http://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/options.html

[oldsmobiledave]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Dave, have you contacted GM of Canada Vintage Services yet to see if they do have a 1 of ... stat?
http://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/options.html

Not yet. I am looking at several cars and will only buy the docs for a car that I plan on purchasing.

[formula kid]

Ram air was available on the 74 Formula 400
With either manual trans or auto. The 455 was only available with an auto trans. The SD got
You the TA shaker hood scoop rather than the formula hood. The standard 350 could not be ordered with ram air since it was a 2bbl carb engine.

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by formula kid

Ram air was available on the 74 Formula 400
With either manual trans or auto. The 455 was only available with an auto trans. The SD got
You the TA shaker hood scoop rather than the formula hood. The standard 350 could not be ordered with ram air since it was a 2bbl carb engine.

Agreed X2. Dennis

[johnta1]

From the order sheet:




35S - 400 4bbl
35W - 455 4 bbl
35X - 455 SD

So it appears they considered the TA hood for the Formula as a RAM AIR hood.
(and probably included in the count of 1,478 RA Formula)

The data Formulajones posted from the Red Book seems to be what the sheet shows except it didn't include the 455?
(maybe they didn't know what 35W was, or possibly the W was for 'with'?)

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by johnta1

From the order sheet:




35S - 400 4bbl
35W - 455 4 bbl
35X - 455 SD

So it appears they considered the TA hood for the Formula as a RAM AIR hood.
(and probably included in the count of 1,478 RA Formula)

The data Formulajones posted from the Red Book seems to be what the sheet shows except it didn't include the 455?
(maybe they didn't know what 35W was, or possibly the W was for 'with'?)

Correct, the Red Book says ram air hood only available with "35S only" and there is no mention of it being available for the 35W (455 d-port engine)

But I'm not saying that is correct, it's just what the book says and we all know that books over the years have discrepancies.

[Formulajones]

Looks like you have Canadian docs there listing WU3. I'd say you have yourself a 455 RA car.

[trishieldchief]

Originally Posted by johnta1

From the order sheet:




35S - 400 4bbl
35W - 455 4 bbl
35X - 455 SD

So it appears they considered the TA hood for the Formula as a RAM AIR hood.
(and probably included in the count of 1,478 RA Formula)

The data Formulajones posted from the Red Book seems to be what the sheet shows except it didn't include the 455?
(maybe they didn't know what 35W was, or possibly the W was for 'with'?)

So,1478 Firebird 400/455 Formulas in 1974 had factory Ram Air package?

[johnta1]

Plus the SD Formulas.