Air Cleaner Cover Clrearance?? HELP PLEASE

[Anonymous]

I have just completed all the upgrades to my 66 mustang. I have the Oz head w/ holley 350cfm carb. I am also planning to use ford racing 10inch 2' thick air cleaner cover. I test fit it today and the edge of the cover hits the hood in 2 places. It hits on the support/structural part of the hood. Does not hit in the middle as there is no hood support part in that location. Any ideas on getting a little extra clearance? We had anly 2 different ideas. To drop the motor a little. Not sure how much time and effort is involved into that? Info? Also thought we might be able to cut into the hood support in that section and grind it flush? Not sure about this for looks and if it may cause warping of the hood? Any info on any of this or any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Planning to finish up in the morning and turn it over for the first time
Thanks, Mark

 

[ludwig]

Check out the 250 air cleaner. It is dropped an inch or two over the 200 because the block is taller. If you don't want to use the cleaner, maybe you can fab up a lower plate with the 250 and use your designer cover on top. Probably takes a reconfiguring of the hole to fit your carb, but it is recessed downward.

 

[addo]

Which is more significant? The air cleaner or the structural integrity of your sheetmetal? Maybe look for a different air filter in the meantime.

I recently saw a 2V where the carb pad had been milled about 3/8" - presumably for an adaptor, to maintain clearance. They'd kept the angle on it. Seems the way to go, if you have clearance issues.

Regards, Adam.

 

[Anonymous]

Addo, I know you are right on the structural integrity issue, it just looks so good when the hood is up I like the idea about milling the adaptor, I never even thought of that.
Thanks, Mark

 

[Anonymous]

thats what i did...got an extra 1-2 cm....i had to make a thin metal plate that was rivited to the aircleaner so i could still mount it on the base of the carb...but thats caues i use a lowpro airfilter for a 2bbl and i only have a 1bbl carb...now i have just enough clearance not to screw anything up...

 

[CoupeBoy]

You could also slot the motor mounts a little bit, take a die grinder to the holes that the bolts go through for the engine and take a bit out of the bottom of them or if there is enough meat in them possibly drill a new set of holes?

Harrie makes some custom mounts, that he also sells, that you can lower the engine for some additional clearance.

How about the opening on the air filter is there any material on the bottom of it that you could remove carefully with a grinder to make the airfilter sit lower?

-ron

 

[simon]

drop base with enough clearance for choke:

those were two prototypes, the material cost me 20 bucks, the milling of the aluminum and laser cutting of stainless steel cost about the same for each part. Worked fine, but I found them much too heavy- about 35 ounces for the complete stainless construction, and about 10 less for the aluminum spacer/ stainless baseplate

Oh how I´m starving for a CNC machine...

 

[addo]

Simon, that'd stop a tank. 35 ounces!

A couple of pics. Useless baiting - the original airfilter base: http://img59.photobucket.com/albums/v17 ... Offset.jpg

More usefully, the milling to accommodate a Redline or similar Holley adaptor: http://img59.photobucket.com/albums/v17 ... illing.jpg

 

[simon]

Adam, I´d consider it an impulse rather than baiting.
the latest version, completely made from aluminum, weighs less than 9 oz. Actually, it is lighter than the filter element which weighs 13 oz.

If I had the chance to get my hands on some original air cleaners fitting the wider neck of my Carter RBS (wider compared to the autolite 1100´s neck), I´d take this route anytime, no doubt.

 

[65coupei6]

You can try a dropped base air cleaner base. Did that make sense? Find a air cleaner with a dropped base. Then use that base with your filter and top of the one you like.

Or you can also just notch the support in the hood where the air cleaner hits.

My aircleaner also rubs in two spots like yours. A lot of people have no problems with clearance. But you have to remember even out of the factory these cars had as much as a 1/4" difference for panelsand alignment. So, after 30+ years it is even greater.

You might also try adjusting the hood alittle.

 

[michael_cini]

Check out the 250 air cleaner. It is dropped an inch or two over the 200 because the block is taller. If you don't want to use the cleaner, maybe you can fab up a lower plate with the 250 and use your designer cover on top. Probably takes a reconfiguring of the hole to fit your carb, but it is recessed downward.

i have a 250 engine in my 63 falcon, it's out of a 75 maverick. the air cleaner is stock to the engine. the air cleaner drops down around the carb. i don't know if it would fit your carb, but this would be a good solution to your problem. check some junk yards, i'm sure if you can find one if would be inexpensive.

best,

michael