68 Firebird 400 HO

Looking for anyone that has information on the '68 Firebird 400 HO cars that were built. I think they preceded the Ram Air series that's famous in the late 60's. I have one, with PHS documentation, that I'm restoring. Are long branch exhaust manifolds and the 10 degree slanted oil filter mount stock equip.? The Ram Air hood is, but was it sealed to an air cleaner? Did the side of the car have the same HO Stripe as the 350? I have some Pontiac reference material and The Fabulous Firebird book is probably the only one that has some info, but even it is sketchy. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!  

Hi:  I'm Randy.  My daughter brought your questions to my attention.  I am an original owner of a 68 Firebird 400 HO.  I can answer all but one question you have for sure and I can find out about the other.  My 400 HO Has the outside and engine totally restored and the inside needs restoration. It is totally stock with all matching numbers and all original equipment.

1. It is possible that the HO preceeded the Ram Air in production but both the HO and Ram Air were available at the same time to the consummer, and were both being built at the same time by Pontiac.

2. The HO never had functioning hood scoops as did the Ram Air.  The Air Cleaner that was used had a standard top, and the scoops were closed off just like the reqular 400s.

3. The HO never had HO stripes on it from the factory, making it somewhat of a sleeper until the throttle was pressed.

4. The HO has an "WQ" as part of the head numbers, on the original Heads which identified it as an HO.

5. The HO has unique exhast manifolds, they were refered to as "free flow" and didn't look anything like headers.

6. About the 10 deg oil filter.  I don't know but I will check.

Hope this helps.  

Hi, I have a bit of info to share if interested:

I also had a one owner un restored 68 400 HO 4sp....I agree with comments  1. and 2... but there is some disagreement on 3. though most believe that all 400 HOs that had stripes were dealer applied.  Regarding comment 4.the WQ you mentioned is on the front of the block on the passenger side rather than on the head . WQ was a 4 sp block  , YW was the block code in cars with automatics.  The heads are #16s  with the number cast into the center of the middle exhaust ports.  5. The exhaust manifolds were cast iron "long branch" manifolds rather than the standard 'log' style manifolds. 6. the oil filter is angled back to clear the longer exhaust manifolds.

I would have to look up the actual numbers but there were about 2000 400 HO cars built in 68  with about 1200 4sp and 800 automatics.

Hope this helps  

Hi fellow Pontiac lovers ,I just thought I would share my knowledge,or experience pertaining to the 1968 Firebird 400 Ho , I am the owner of multiple 68 Firebirds,and purchased and still have  my first 400 coupe in 1973. one of my Birds is a 1968 400 Ho auto coupe, which was purchased New By the late RAYMOND F Loewy In Paris France, all thou MR Loewy did some body modification's to the Bird for uses In Rally Racing, the power train was untouched,and the Firebird has A documented 6,255 miles on it.Using this as a reference I would have to strongly agree with 400ho 4sp about #1 the Block code was on the front right side of the block and is  a YW on the automatic models #2 The Exhaust manifolds are In fact the Long branch D port type with the oil filter mount    tilted to the rear for clearance for the exhaust manifold,# 3 the cylinder head casting numbers are in fact the # 16 castings   as with 400ho 4sp I hope this helps  

The 68 400 HO came with the Longbranch headers with the 10 degree adapter. The Ho stripe only was availible on the 350 or the Sprint not the 400 HO.You could have ordered the rally stripe which is the same as the HO stripe but without the HO.
The 400 HO came with non functioning scoops unles you ordered the ram air which was open all the time.I have the factory instructions for the dealer to install the ram air option if anyone wants it.....