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I'm considering buying a reproduction Ram Air kit but before I layout the cash I want to be sure I have all the bases covered. I was wondering if I need to replace the hood hinges or springs or both. I have been told there are special springs that are heavier duty and have a flat side which gives them more strength. Anybody who has added this popular and very cool option to their car please weigh in and let me know how it worked out and what you did. thanks Frank.
The springs you're referring to came from the factory on cars with scooped hoods.
my 72 Q code Mach1 came with the NASA hood (scoops) from the factory and the springs look like any other spring (round) I don't see any difference. Are you sure of that?
Yes, I am sure. Cars that came with non- scooped hoods utilize springs that have coils which are perfectly round (cross-section wise) and are of a lesser diameter. The difference is not obvious. you would have to compare the two types to notice. It's possible you have the standard hood type springs on your car, as the hinges may have been swapped out at some time before you acquired the car.(By someone who didn't know there was a difference.) The smaller coil springs will still hold up a scooped hood, they only have slightly less tension extended.
(02-25-2015, 04:56 AM)gxr02190 Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, I am sure. Cars that came with non- scooped hoods utilize springs that have coils which are perfectly round (cross-section wise) and are of a lesser diameter. The difference is not obvious. you would have to compare the two types to notice. It's possible you have the standard hood type springs on your car, as the hinges may have been swapped out at some time before you acquired the car.(By someone who didn't know there was a difference.) The smaller coil springs will still hold up a scooped hood, they only have slightly less tension extended.

I guess I'll have to look more closely I've owned this car for more then 30 yrs. and these are the springs that were on it when I bought it in 84 and I've never changed them. My car was pretty virgin when I bought it and I'm only the 2nd owner. I guess I need to examine this subject more closely. Thanks for your help.
(02-25-2015, 05:05 AM)mrmach1 Wrote: [ -> ]
(02-25-2015, 04:56 AM)gxr02190 Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, I am sure. Cars that came with non- scooped hoods utilize springs that have coils which are perfectly round (cross-section wise) and are of a lesser diameter. The difference is not obvious. you would have to compare the two types to notice. It's possible you have the standard hood type springs on your car, as the hinges may have been swapped out at some time before you acquired the car.(By someone who didn't know there was a difference.) The smaller coil springs will still hold up a scooped hood, they only have slightly less tension extended.

I guess I'll have to look more closely I've owned this car for more then 30 yrs. and these are the springs that were on it when I bought it in 84 and I've never changed them. My car was pretty virgin when I bought it and I'm only the 2nd owner. I guess I need to examine this subject more closely. Thanks for your help.

GXR is right it should have and was born with flat sided springs.
Someone changed them.
They do have flat sides checked mine out today
[attachment=10944]
I checked mine and I can see the difference now. Mine I guess you could call flat, but not really flat, square? I don't know I guess anyway.
[attachment=10946]
My suggestion on the reproduction ram air would be "NO".

That cheap fiberglass is all crap in my opinion.

It looks cheesy and the air cleaner is to me sorta like the steering wheel is.
Its the "piece de resistance" the cream de la creame".
Basically in redneck terms its one of those pieces that is the first thing you look at when the hood is raised.
When you get in the car the first thing you look at is the steering wheel in your hand right?

To me there is nothing worse that opening up a hood and seeing a ram air hood not connected up to a ram air air cleaner properly with the correct gaskets and equipment.

Its like the rest of the car just failed inspection when I see that.

Think of it like this.SCo_hmmthink

Have you ever looked at craigslist ads on great Mach 1 mustangs then scan through the photos then see that the whole car looks great, the customer wants mad money and then you see that he has a cheep Chineese aftermarket steering wheel on it or that the Air cleaner is a $20.00 cheapy?

Just saying.....................Fighting0082

Fiberglass is also prone to burning if the situation is just right. A good real OEM air cleaner pan is metal and wont catch fire. The costs are expensive though.
Your car is yours. Make it your own.
(03-05-2015, 05:14 AM)Masterblaster7212 Wrote: [ -> ]My suggestion on the reproduction ram air would be "NO".

That cheap fiberglass is all crap in my opinion.

It looks cheesy and the air cleaner is to me sorta like the steering wheel is.
Its the "piece de resistance" the cream de la creame".
Basically in redneck terms its one of those pieces that is the first thing you look at when the hood is raised.
When you get in the car the first thing you look at is the steering wheel in your hand right?

To me there is nothing worse that opening up a hood and seeing a ram air hood not connected up to a ram air air cleaner properly with the correct gaskets and equipment.

Its like the rest of the car just failed inspection when I see that.

Think of it like this.SCo_hmmthink

Have you ever looked at craigslist ads on great Mach 1 mustangs then scan through the photos then see that the whole car looks great, the customer wants mad money and then you see that he has a cheep Chineese aftermarket steering wheel on it or that the Air cleaner is a $20.00 cheapy?

Just saying.....................Fighting0082

Fiberglass is also prone to burning if the situation is just right. A good real OEM air cleaner pan is metal and wont catch fire. The costs are expensive though.
Your car is yours. Make it your own.


The 71-3 air cleaner housings I sell are METAL
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