Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-17-2026, 12:15 PM
poncho-mike poncho-mike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,186
Default 1971-1972 GTO & Formula ram air cleaner ID

I have three ram air cleaners off of 1971 - 1972 A-body and 70 - 74 Formula cars. All three have minor variations in construction. I'm trying to determine what application each of these fits. I know one is 455HO because it has a hot air tube on the passenger side, but I'm not sure what year. I'm also not sure of what the other two are. I suspect one could be bought over the counter.

See the photos. Air cleaners from left (1) to right (3)

Differences:

Air Cleaner 1 D-port (left)
- 4 wire/vacuum hose clips on bottom
- One flat at back
- Flat straps on dashpots

Air Cleaner 2 455HO (middle)
- 2 wire/vacuum hose clips on bottom
- Two flats at rear
- Curved dash pot straps

Air Cleaner 3 D-port (right)
- 3 clips, appear to be dual (different from other air cleaners)
- One flat at rear
- Flat straps on dash pot
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_all_3_bot.jpg
Views:	65
Size:	89.9 KB
ID:	663772   Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_all_3_top.jpg
Views:	46
Size:	83.4 KB
ID:	663773  


Last edited by poncho-mike; 01-17-2026 at 12:20 PM.
  #2  
Old 01-17-2026, 12:16 PM
poncho-mike poncho-mike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,186
Default

Here are some close up photos of air cleaner 1.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_1_bot.jpg
Views:	26
Size:	73.7 KB
ID:	663774   Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_1_top.jpg
Views:	18
Size:	76.7 KB
ID:	663775  

  #3  
Old 01-17-2026, 12:17 PM
poncho-mike poncho-mike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,186
Default

Air Cleaner 2 (middle).
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_2_bot.jpg
Views:	27
Size:	76.7 KB
ID:	663776   Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_2_top.jpg
Views:	22
Size:	79.0 KB
ID:	663777  

  #4  
Old 01-17-2026, 12:18 PM
poncho-mike poncho-mike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,186
Default

Air cleaner 3 (right)
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_3_bot.jpg
Views:	24
Size:	75.3 KB
ID:	663778   Click image for larger version

Name:	70-74_ra_AC_3_top.jpg
Views:	21
Size:	79.1 KB
ID:	663779  

  #5  
Old 01-17-2026, 01:00 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,584
Default

What do you want for the middle one?
I'll look for the thread of mine.

Here it is...
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=872998

__________________
So long, farewell.
  #6  
Old 01-17-2026, 01:08 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,584
Default

1. 1974. 2. over the counter replacement of 1971-2 and 3. 1973.
No tag or even glue residue on the sides of base?

__________________
So long, farewell.
  #7  
Old 01-17-2026, 01:22 PM
poncho-mike poncho-mike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,186
Default

I need one 455HO air cleaner for my 1972 455HO convertible.

I'm trying to determine if the 455HO air cleaner is a 1971 or 1972. I thought there was a difference between 1971 and 1972, but I don't remember what it is.

I'm not sure what you're asking "No tag or even glue residue on the sides of base?" The no 1 air cleaner has a piece of tape covering the two holes at the back. I'm not sure why it's there. I think that one either hasn't been run, or has been cleaned up before I got it.

  #8  
Old 01-17-2026, 02:32 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,584
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by poncho-mike View Post
I need one 455HO air cleaner for my 1972 455HO convertible.

I'm trying to determine if the 455HO air cleaner is a 1971 or 1972. I thought there was a difference between 1971 and 1972, but I don't remember what it is.

I'm not sure what you're asking "No tag or even glue residue on the sides of base?" The no 1 air cleaner has a piece of tape covering the two holes at the back. I'm not sure why it's there. I think that one either hasn't been run, or has been cleaned up before I got it.

The difference was studs (1971) vs no studs (later in '72) on the diaphragm hold down.
If you have no tag or residue, it's been restored or an over-the-counter replacement. The scalloped hold down didn't show up until the '77 Pontiac air cleaner.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	AirCleanerDecals.jpg
Views:	39
Size:	66.7 KB
ID:	663785  

__________________
So long, farewell.
  #9  
Old 01-25-2026, 10:36 PM
74SDformula's Avatar
74SDformula 74SDformula is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: McDonough, GA.
Posts: 762
Default

This is off of a late '72 Formula.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5939.jpg
Views:	30
Size:	104.6 KB
ID:	664195   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5941.jpg
Views:	31
Size:	101.5 KB
ID:	664196   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5942.jpg
Views:	26
Size:	74.5 KB
ID:	664197   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5944.jpg
Views:	26
Size:	53.5 KB
ID:	664198  

  #10  
Old 01-25-2026, 11:35 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,584
Default

Interesting on the late '72 RA air cleaner. Usually the later ones had no studs.

__________________
So long, farewell.
  #11  
Old 01-26-2026, 01:56 PM
poncho-mike poncho-mike is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 2,186
Default

I junked a 1972 Formula 455HO many years ago, the air cleaner was in the trunk and was covered in surface rust. I don't think it had the stud on it. If I remember correctly, it was a December 1971 built car.

Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:59 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017