[The Boss]

That's a very rare & valuable exhaust manifold!!!

[wovenweb]

I'll try running with just the one, I don't think it is going to work well...

[wovenweb]

Originally Posted by BigJoel

Ram Air 2 Heads on E-bay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181967258588?
What will they bring?

Bid to $US 1,782.11 but didn't hit reserve. I did inquire, the owner did not have any flow numbers on the heads. That along with no shipping makes it a bit more difficult of a sale.

[1971455HO]

Originally Posted by wovenweb

Bid to $US 1,782.11 but didn't hit reserve. I did inquire, the owner did not have any flow numbers on the heads. That along with no shipping makes it a bit more difficult of a sale.

I agree on the no shipping!

I'm guessing no flow numbers because he didn't finish them, just bare cores with new guides &seals. I expected them to be pricey, and I would have bid, but local pick up only knocks that in the head. 2800 miles between me & him.

[70L34]

This is one of my favorite threads. Since I am new to Firebirds in general, can someone summarize the telltale signs of a RAII Firebird in case I am lucky to ever come across one?

[PurelyGTO68]

Originally Posted by 70L34

This is one of my favorite threads. Since I am new to Firebirds in general, can someone summarize the telltale signs of a RAII Firebird in case I am lucky to ever come across one?

I believe all RA II cars have a build date of 05C or later (3rd week of May) so anything earlier would not be a candidate. Also must be a non-A/C car.

If you find a car that meets those first two criteria then other clues would be round port heads with "R" and "A" on the end exhaust ports, Ram Air pan and hood baffle, open hood scoops, HD axle with 3.90 or 4.33 gear set and M-21 trans (if manual). I think many or most F bodies had the 3.90 gear set but the 4.33 may have been available as an option.

If you find a car with some or all of these items then a PHS inquiry will confirm or deny RA II heritage.


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[1971455HO]

For identification purposes 1968 RA II heads are as follows: Code # 96, Casting # 9793596, Screw in Studs, 2.11 intake, 1.77 exhaust, Volume 71cc.

These are good high compression round port heads. RA 1 & RA III are also good heads, however, they are D-port. Not saying you can't get D-ports to flow great numbers, but for the sake of describing RA II heads, remember they are early round port heads.

If you happen up upon an abandoned 1968 firebird and you see heads attached to an engine that bear this description, you may wish to take a much closer look at what you have found.

Verify the casting numbers to be sure. Don't mistake 1971 400 Cu In #96 heads for these. The 71's are great for bumping up the compression on 455 engines with their 96cc volume, but won't do much for your 400 engine.

Hopefully, other guys will chime in and give you a lot better quick reference than I can.

[70L34]

Thanks guys, this is exactly what I was looking for.

[TedRamAirII]

ID wise, early heads are marked R on one end exh port and A on the other, later castings are 96. If the Firebird has Round port heads, pay the guy before he figures out what he has. Look at the difference between D port and O port, (middle exhaust port area) and you will be able to spot them across the parking lot. Of course there are many O port heads, RAII, RAIV, 455HO, 455SD,along with Aluminum Edelbrock, Kauffman, etc. But any O port head will be worth more money, along with Exhaust Manifolds/ headers.

[PurelyGTO68]

My RAII heads have both casting marks.... R, A and 96. It is my understanding that early heads had R on the left exhaust port, two center ports blank and A on the right exhaust port. Later heads added 96 on the center ports but the R, A remained.

If this is correct, then it is super easy to identify RA II heads with zero chance of confusion by looking for the "R" and "A" cast marks on any round port head. Some may have 96 on the center ports while others may not so it isn't really that important for identification purposes initially.

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[The Boss]

The #96 cast on the center exhaust ports appeared some time during the night shift of D228, the heads cast from the day shift do not have it and ALL of the heads cast on D238 have the 96 as well (along with all of the ones cast after that).

My heads are the non 96 ones.

The heads on this motor are not the ones I have now but identical to them.

[TedRamAirII]

Did not know that! That's odd they changed castings in the night? I think my heads may be D228, Marked R A .

[1oldgoat]

Looks like this thread has been quiet for years. Is there an updated list of know RA II Birds?

[RA1John]

I started a Registry for '68 RA Firebirds around 30+ years ago. Collecting anything I can find regarding surviving RA & RAII Birds. Currently updating the matrix. While most owners are glad to help, some prefer to not share details so there are some gaps.

[BirdBrain]

Originally Posted by RA1John

I started a Registry for '68 RA Firebirds around 30+ years ago. Collecting anything I can find regarding surviving RA & RAII Birds. Currently updating the matrix. While most owners are glad to help, some prefer to not share details so there are some gaps.

This thread is extremely out of date. You should start a site, John. You have the info on both of my RAII birds...both of which are not in this Roll Call since I found both in the last two years.

[johnta1]

I have a rudimentary page I had set up for the RAI & II. John had sent me some of his data, which I included. Not sure how updated it is though.
Most data is from this site or from John. I may have added some of my data.

RA I & II

That page also has a link for the form to send/update info.