[64speed]

What are you guys using for an air cleaner assembly that fits under the stock 64 hood with a Holley and a Performer RPM? I have a finned aluminum one now and it’s got about 3 interference points. I like the way it looks but it’s just not functional plus it just barely fits under the hood and I can’t stress that enough.

[grivera]

Originally Posted by 64speed

What are you guys using for an air cleaner assembly that fits under the stock 64 hood with a Holley and a Performer RPM? I have a finned aluminum one now and it’s got about 3 interference points. I like the way it looks but it’s just not functional plus it just barely fits under the hood and I can’t stress that enough.

Is it a drop base?

[64speed]

Yes it is. I want a chrome traditional one I think but Amazon reviews are all over the place with chrome longevity reviews. I think a 14x2 would help even more. Everything on my engine is finned aluminum so I picked that air cleaner but no matter what or how I turn it I get some kind of interference.

[chiphead]

I use a parts-store edelbrock drop-base, the one with the black crinkle finish on the 400/RPM/QF750. Lemans flat hood. Just barely clears with a 2.5" element. Whatever you do, you need at LEAST 3/4" of an inch from the top of the vent tube/choke tower to the top of the air filter element.

I just tried to use a 1/4" spacer under my 4150 carb, and had to go to a deeper drop base. Yes, there is a range of drop-base dimensions. That put the aircleaner lid within 1/2" of the vent stacks. At WOT, the AFR went to 9.X as it sucked fuel out of the stacks. I'm watching the AFR and the vacuum gauge, the AFR goes to 9 and the vacuum needle starts vibrating fast, I'm thinking what the flock is this? I pulled the aircleaner, and there was signs of fuel splash on the underside of the lid. I immediately went back to the old setup and the WOT AFR cleaned up.

[64speed]

Originally Posted by chiphead

I use a parts-store edelbrock drop-base, the one with the black crinkle finish on the 400/RPM/QF750. Lemans flat hood. Just barely clears with a 2.5" element. Whatever you do, you need at LEAST 3/4" of an inch from the top of the vent tube/choke tower to the top of the air filter element.

I just tried to use a 1/4" spacer under my 4150 carb, and had to go to a deeper drop base. Yes, there is a range of drop-base dimensions. That put the aircleaner lid within 1/2" of the vent stacks. At WOT, the AFR went to 9.X as it sucked fuel out of the stacks. I'm watching the AFR and the vacuum gauge, the AFR goes to 9 and the vacuum needle starts vibrating fast, I'm thinking what the flock is this? I pulled the aircleaner, and there was signs of fuel splash on the underside of the lid. I immediately went back to the old setup and the WOT AFR cleaned up.

I thought I was crazy but you just put into words what I could not. I noticed that it ran considerably better without it than it did with it. Also the difference with and without is about 250 rpm. Otherwise runs great just need this fixed. I know it’s always going to run better without an air cleaner it’s just hard to put into words how it runs.

[64speed]

Also my air cleaner lid is flat. I think it needs some dome to it

[chiphead]

Form should follow function. Get a cheap domed lid, a taller air filter and provide the adequate amount of clearance to the top of the airhorn. Your motor will thank you.

[Singleton]

I run this Keyser 16x4 setup on my 66 with a Northwind intake and Holley carb. Has a 1.75” drop base. Has a nice large dome top. Both top and base are spun aluminum, I polished the top a little and added the Indian Head logo.

[chiphead]

Looks good, that thing's half as big as the engine. But that's under a GTO hood, correct? No way that's going to fit under a lemans flat hood. Can't wait to swap to my GTO hood, just for the intake clearance it gives. Prep and paint takes forever...

[64speed]

Yeah no way that’s fitting. I got a domed chrome lid. Will report back when it gets here

[Singleton]

You could just use a shorter element, like a 3” or 3.5”. 16” vs 14” diameter gives a lot more area. Got to think outside the box.
Also the RPM intake is about 1/2” shorter than a Northwind.

[Goatracer1]

How about the stock 1967 GTO finned air cleaner? It will fit the Holley and is very short.

[b-man]

1967 GTO chrome louvre type air cleaner would be a major restriction. I had one on a ‘67 GTO I owned for a while and that air cleaner paper element looked to be maybe 1-1/2” or 2” tall at the most.

It would fit nicely but a performance killer in this case.

I’m surprised that the 49 state standard 335 hp 400 was able to make that much power using it, the CA single snorkel closed air cleaner must have been better.

[Tim Corcoran]

Get rid of the Performer RPM manifold. Those skinny filters rob power I would use a factory iron or a Tomahawk intake manifold.

[steve25]

Any stock air cleaner even a duel snorkel one is a bad restriction.

When you want the motors full power It’s far better then even a 3.5” x 14” set up to run one of these if you’re not making drives that put a ton of miles on the car or live in a dusty area.
Not to mention that it’s not sucking hot air off the bottom of the hood.
If you’d making a long drive then swap it out for something that filters better.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Tim Corcoran

Get rid of the Performer RPM manifold. Those skinny filters rob power I would use a factory iron or a Tomahawk intake manifold.

Exactly.

The stock iron one can fit a Holley with a little welding to add the threaded bosses needed as Cliff Ruggles has already done. Then open the top to match the Holley throttle bores.

At your current power level the RPM isn’t really buying you anything over an iron intake and of course the Tomahawk.

You’re losing 1-1/4” of air cleaner real estate using the RPM. You could use a 1/2” spacer on the iron intake and still gain that 3/4” of hood to air cleaner clearance you need.

Maybe a future project, I hope your new air cleaner does what you need.

[64speed]

Anyone know the part number for a basic 14x2 filter? I have a 14x3 reusable style right now. Just want a paper filter. Also my aluminum finned lid will be for sale soon so look for it.

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by steve25

Any stock air cleaner even a duel snorkel one is a bad restriction.

When you want the motors full power It’s far better then even a 3.5” x 14” set up to run one of these if you’re not making drives that put a ton of miles on the car or live in a dusty area.
Not to mention that it’s not sucking hot air off the bottom of the hood.
If you’d making a long drive then swap it out for something that filters better.

Those things have been known to be horrible air cleaners for a long time now.
I had one on a A body and it ran 12.87. Took the hood off and ran a K&N velocity stack and the next pass was a 12.09. That is a huge difference.
All that is not from just the weight of the hood.

[chiphead]

Yeah, I always thought those heart shaped aircleaners were awful. The foam would disintegrate, or catch fire if it got fuel soaked. Buddy had one on a '67 firebird, I think a backfire made it go poof.

Not to derail the convo too much, but what dual plane intakes are better than a RPM on a street/strip application? And will that intake be shorter than the RPM and maybe fit a holley?

I thought the RPM was the best aftermarket street intake for a 389-428 size engine?

[Goatracer1]

I thought you were looking just for an air filter that fit. I didn't know you were looking for maximum power. If you want power use a carb bonnet and a remote K&N air filter. You can even mount it so you get cold air.