I just checked my air cleaner and snorkle, my snorkle bends toward the rear of the car.
The correct part # should be C8OZ-9A626-B. The Ford Master Parts Catalog further says it should be 9-1/2 inches. The ink stamped # often found on the snorkle is NOT the PART #, it is the CASTING # and is different. Similar, but different! I do not know the correct ink stamped casting number for any snorkle excluding the 428CJ.
Mansfield Mustang pictures the rear bend as correct (he listed the part # incorrectly as C8ZZ-9A626-B, there is no C8ZZ-9A626-B part listed in the MPC). The Ford MPC does not include Mercury, so I cannot cross reference the part. Also, the MPC does list a different snorkle, and air cleaner for the X-Code engine.
Also the Ford Master Parts Catalog is now available on CD. Mustang Times has a write up on it in the December issue (page 14). I've also seen it on EBAY.