[beargfr]

Ok, so I've got all the parts and will be installing a factory ram air system on my 69 GTO.

I'm running an SD-455 Qjet on this car, and the carb bowl vent is creating a clearance problem with the lower ram air pan. The way I see it, I've got two likely solutions:
1) Use a 3/4" air cleaner spacer to raise the lower pan enough to clear the vent.
2) "Modify" the lower pan to create clearance for the bowl vent.

Of the two options, I like "1)" the best but what I don't know is how this would affect clearance between the lower pan and the hood pan. Would raising the lower pan 3/4" compress the foam pan seal "too much" or otherwise create a clearance problem between the lower and upper pan?

I'm looking for someone who has a factory ram air already in place on their 69 who might be able to give me a little guidance here.

Thanks,

Bear

[JKGTO]

You cant raise the bottom ram air pan as the air filter lid will hit the upper ram air pan. Even using a slightly taller air filter can do that. Your either going to have to modify the upper ram air pan or the carb pan. You already had to drill a hole in the carb pan for the vent? Jim

[beargfr]

Originally Posted by JKGTO

You cant raise the bottom ram air pan as the air filter lid will hit the upper ram air pan. Even using a slightly taller air filter can do that. Your either going to have to modify the upper ram air pan or the carb pan. You already had to drill a hole in the carb pan for the vent? Jim

I haven't done anything to it yet. If I drill the lower pan for the vent then it's going to let in unfiltered air because the hole would be inside the circumference of the filter element. I was wanting to avoid modifying the pan because I didn't want to disturb that nice rounded contour that guides air into the carb, but it looks like that's what I'm going to have to do. I'm going to have to create some sort of dimple or shape on the lower pan that's tall enough to clear the carb vent.
Thanks for the response - it's exactly what I needed to know.

Rob

[The Boss]

How about rebuilding a 69 carb to SD specs and run that.

[Bet Winner]

Originally Posted by The Boss

How about rebuilding a 69 carb to SD specs and run that.

This is what I was going to type until I saw Boss's response so I'll just quote it.

I would not modify a genuine lower pan. I would get a repo to modify.

[steve v]

Doesn't the 70 RA pan have the vent hole in it already? If so I'd get a repo 70 pan & leave the original one alone.

I've seen guys cut the stack off of the carb vent too. If the SD vent isn't different than a 71 & up Q-jet maybe that's an option.

[Uncle Judge]

Originally Posted by steve v

Doesn't the 70 RA pan have the vent hole in it already? If so I'd get a repo 70 pan & leave the original one alone.

I've seen guys cut the stack off of the carb vent too. If the SD vent isn't different than a 71 & up Q-jet maybe that's an option.

You are correct Steve. An original or a repro 1970 pan would do the trick for you and will look exactly the same as the 1969 pan until you remove the lid.

The 1970 pan accepts the 1970 California emssions carb which also has the stack like the 71 up carbs have. The 49 state Ram Air lower pans in 1970 got the rubber plug.