AMC Ram Air
& Cowl Induction
more photos! more
illustrations!
New Reproduction Item: AMC Ram Air Flapper Door!
The Ram Air system below is for the 1970 AMX and Javelin. Not all 1970 model AMX or Javelins came with this system. See"production figures" for 70 AMX numbers. From what I know, not all Mark Donohue Javelins came with the forced air induction system either, although all 70 Trans Am Javelins did. A used 70 Ram Air system commands $500+. You can however get reproduction parts for a lot less and most are just as good, or better than the 30+ year old originals. Both Ram Air chromes (moldings); both Ram Air scoops (baffles) the "Y" duct (front duct) have been reproduced. The circle duct has now (2006) been reproduced which is the most important part as it contains the flapper door and retainer and vacuum actuator (control). I may add that used original vac actuators command $100 or more. However! The actuator was a Ford item that was used on a variety of AMC Ram Air and Cowl Induction assemblies, although the rod is different, and sometimes the brace. The actuator is the same in my Machine as it is in my SC/360. On the SC/360 Hornet, this is a close up of the whole AMC Ram Air system. This is the "bare bones" SC/360 Ram Air system. It has been said that the Ram Air system for 1969 1/2 Hurst SC/Rambler, some 1970 AMX and Javelin, 1970 Rebel Machine, and some 1971 SC/360 Hornets produce a added 15-20 horsepower! It is a excellent, but difficult to locate item to add to your AMC if it did not come with it! The Illustration below is from the 1970 AMC Technical Service Manual.
1970 AMX & Javelin Ram Air
1970
Rebel Machine Ram Air
Click Here
1971-73 AMX & Javelin Cowl Induction
The 1971 thru 1973 AMX Cowl Induction System is a whole different bird. Air is not forced in from the front as the other models mentioned above are. It flows from behind . Just like some other vehicles of that era such as El Camino, Chevelle. In 1971 AMC introduced this cowl induction system on the new model AMX. This was A OPTION. There was a new air breather element also introduced, a dual snorkel setup as shown here. It is my understanding that these were used on functional cowl induction AMXs from Aug 70 thru Feb 71. The base engine for the new 71 AMX was a 360V8, in 1972 AMC dropped the base engine to a 304V8. You could not get functional cowl induction on a 304.
Before we go any further however, I have to explain the differences
between the 71-74 AMX hoods! Trusty AMC assistants Noah on the left
shows the triangular baffle AMC sandwiched between the upper fiberglass skin and
the metal frame on a FUNCTIONAL hood, note the circular center for the FLAPPER
to match up into. While Jacob shows you a same 71-74 AMX hood....NON FUNCTIONAL,
same fiberglass upper skin and lower metal frame, just no triangular baffle to
force air into the flapper. At the back, AMC simply added a "grate"
for the air. This photo shows both functional
and non functional side by side.
This is a close
up of the fiberglass texture on both. Note
separation on the non functional hood. I may add that separation was common on
these, front and back, after only 10-15 years, even more pronounced in areas
with excessive heat. Easy to fix however. You need to inspect all hoods on the
front however as if there is no stainless trim, the wind can easily get under
the fiberglass and rip it completely off the skin while driving!
This is a very close up of the fiberglass, the grate appears to have been added
(presumably along with the triangular baffle) while fiberglass was still wet. This
is factory work from 1973. It
may appear crude, but it was a musclecar, and extremely effective in the early
1970s. Still is.
Click here to view factory illustration.
Click here for LARGER PRINTABLE ILLUSTRATION.
The Hurst SC/Ramblers had similar setup, this is a very early 69 1/2 SC/Rambler Ram Air.
After early 1971, the AMXs that were LUCKY enough to get a "dual snorkle" functional cowl induction cars got a single snorkel setup with the flapper assembly as shown. NOTE besides the base in early 71 having a extra snorkle, i\after Feb 71 build thru-73 the base had a emissions unit on the single snorkle as shown above.
This is a mint early 1971 "dual snorkle" base
coveted by AMC collectors and seldom seen.
Right angle.
Bottom showing
drain hole. Left
angle.
These command over $500/low to $1100/high.
This is a factory lid. And this a NON DUAL complete unit with seal and flapper & base.
Early 71
AMX 360 sports a dual snorkle.....no flapper.
Unlike the Ram Air on 69 SC/Rambler, 70 AMX
(and a few Javelins) and all 70 Rebel Machines, the 71-73 AMX flapper was same,
however, small rivets held it in place where the others used a rod.
No 1974 AMXs were produced with functional cowl induction.
To see if your 1971-73 AMX has a original cowl induction hood, simply look at the highest point of the hood facing the windshield as it will have a wire mesh. Lift up your hood and sandwiched between the fiberglass upper portion and the lower metal frame will be a triangular metal piece with the round hole cut into it to sit directly on top of the assembly. You could have Cowl Induction added to your Javelin at a AMC Dealership. The upper flapper assembly is the toughest part to find, and commands over $200 when and if found. The 'shorty air breather lid' is NOT shown in this factory illustration. I wish to add that they interchange with several aftermarket brands on auto parts store shelves, and also the smaller air breather lid for 67-69 290 and 343/2V lids, and also 70-72 304/2V lids although different pattern imprinted on them, they work just fine and are a fraction of the cost of a original. My own guess and that is all it is, is that in the roughly 10,000 71-73 AMXs produced (see production figures ) less than 2000 of these were equipped with Functional Cowl Induction. The upper seal interchanges with other models, it appears to be identical to my Machine and SC/360 Hornet. The difference? The 71-73 cowl rubber seal is PRESSED on the rim of the flapper assembly, whereas the Machine and SC/360 the seal simply lifts off. The lower dual snorkel base is also very difficult to obtain, being one year only and commands over $200. My suggestion as a alternative is to either attend some area Ford swap meets or contact a Ford vendor as many Mustangs from early 1980s-up had a very nice easily adaptable lower dual snorkel base you can use on your AMC and then use a shorty air lid. Either way, both systems are difficult to find but worth the price and addition to your classic AMC vehicle if found! Illustration below is from the 1971 AMC Technical Service Manual.
