Spotters Guide to help determine if you have a 68-70 Ram Rod/W-31
1968
The most obvious item to look for is the ram air setup. It is identical
to a W-30 and includes a special dual snorkel air cleaner with chrome lid,
hoses running from the air cleaner to the under bumper scoops. The inner
fenders also have holes in them to allow the hoses to pass through them
and the inner fenders are also black not red like the W-30. Other items
to look for include manual transmission only and manual drum brakes only.
The harmonic balancer is approx. 1 inch thick as compared to the normal
350 balancer which is roughly 1/2 inch thick. The cam is of the 308 degree
duration and is identified by a white stripe between the no 3 and no 4
bearing journal and cast number 194 on the end. Specially calibrated
quadrjet carb, 7028255. External identification is from a decal near the
front side marker lights. A decal with a set of crossed pistons is utilized
with the words Ram Rod 350.
1969
The most obvious item to look for is the ram air setup. It is identical
to a W-30 and includes a special dual snorkel air cleaner with chrome lid,
hoses running from the air cleaner to the under bumper scoops. The inner
fenders also have holes in them to allow the hoses to pass through them
and the inner fenders are also black not red like the W-30. The transmission
choices for 1969 expanded to include a specially calibrated Turbo 350,
coded JO. The harmonic balancer is approx. 1 inch thick as compared to
the normal 350 balancer which is roughly 1/2 inch thick. The cam is of
the 308 degree duration and is identified by a white stripe between the
no 3 and no 4 bearing journal and cast number 194 on the end. Specially
calibrated quadrjet carb, 7029255. *front fender braces* External identification
is from a decal near the front side marker lights. A decal with the wording
W-31 is utilized.
1970
The ram air setup this year is also similar to the W-30 setup. It includes
the forced air induction hood and OAI air cleaner assembly. The foam element
that mates from the air cleaner to the hood is actually taller than the
W-30 version due to the different heights between a 350 and 455 block.
Basically similar to the Rallye 350. 1970 marked the first year manual
discs where available as was air conditioning. Transmission choices are
the same as 1969 with the auto code Turbo 350 being JO also. The harmonic
balancer is approx. 1 inch thick as compared to the normal 350 balancer
which is roughly 1/2 inch thick. The cam is of the 308 degree duration
and is identified by a white stripe between the no 3 and no 4 bearing journal
and cast number 194 on the end. Specially calibrated quadrjet carb,
7040255. As for documentation, I have seen a copy of a build sheet
for 1970 and it has W-31 in box 3. External identification is from
a badge. A W-31 badge is located in the exact same location the W-30
badge is, on the front fenders in the body length stripe.
***Special note: reportedly there are approx. 12 Rallye 350 W-31 cars
built, but I haven't heard of any confirmed sightings.
