Air Cleaner Question

[Astro409]

They're selling an air cleaner assembly from a 4bbl 64 Chevelle. The question is, will all 4bbl air cleaner assemblies fit 4bbl carburators?:dunno My 64 Impala has always had this chrome diamond shaped cleaner that looks more like a hat than an air cleaner assembly.:bang I've always wanted the old snorkle look but don't want to spend several hundred dollars to get one so i've put it off.:rolleyes: This one looks likely to end at a resonable price on eBay so i'm bidding and appear to be the only bidder for a few days. Now i'm only concerned if it'll fit my 4bbl on my 409. They look alike but are they?:scratch Thanks in advance

[Impalaguru]

Your main concern will be the size of the opening for the carb. If you have a triangular air cleaner, I think I know what you have, you probably have a newer style carb? Is it an edelbrock? If thats the case, you'll need to find a base with a 5" opening. EXTREMELY hard to find an original base, with that carb opening and to fit the original, single snorkel lid for your 64. There are ways arround that though.
If you have the original 4GC rochester carb, you should be OK. Now thats assuming the air cleaner you found is from the same type of carb, which most likely it is.
Measure the opening on your current air cleaner and have the seller give you the measure for the opening on the base.
Let us know what you find out!
Ross

[Astro409]

I should of been more specific.:bang The tringle looking filter is just sitting on my carburator but its not being held by anything. Its as if it was just a hat on the carburator.:scratch The local mecanic told me I don't have the original 4bbl carburator but it looks the same to me.:dunno I haven't done any homework there but its a 4bbl. I'm gonna ask the questions Impalaguru is saying and that should put me on the right track.:beerbang Thanks Impalaguru

[Impalaguru]

Astro,
I think I know what set up you have. Is your air cleaner kind of chrome-looking, with a mesh over it with round holes? Or something close to that description? Yeah, its like a hat! No wing nut required. If you get the chance, look at the carb and see if you can find the numbers stamped into the front of the passenger side, front mounting ear. This is where the stud on the passenger-side, front corner of th intake passes through. It should be four numbers followed by a letter or possibly two letter. Most likely S or SA.
I'd almost bet you have an edelbrock perfromer carb or an older AFB. They're pretty much the same thing. The edelbrock carbs have a little bit of a shine to them.
I can help you figure out a base that will work with the original lid. You may have to do a little fabricating but when you're done, you'll get the original look I think you're after!
Ross

[Ronnie Russell]

Astro, If, in fact, you have AFB and need the air cleaner base for an original type air cleaner, I have bought 14x3 cheapo air cleaner at swap meet. Threw the air cleaner away and used the base on the original air cleaner. As Ross said, you may have to tweek it a bit, but it can work. Ross may have even a better idea. Good luck........

[Impalaguru]

Ronnie,
That was pretty much what I had in mind! There is a certain, aftermarket base that fits perfectly with the old lids. You have to trim the outter edge of the base a little but you can't tell once everything is installed.

Another option thats out there is to get an original 2 barrel base and buy one of the weld-in adaptors that Phil Reed sells. You cut the center area out. Thats the arear thats domed-up, arround the opening for the carb. The adaptor fits in that area. It installs from the bottom. Just tack-weld it in there and you're done! Actually, thats how the originals were done. I've looked at an original 63 400hp base and it was two pieces. Not sure about the 380hp bases. I have a pic of one but its not close enough to tell. I have a really good pic of the 400hp base, showing the two-piece base but its too large to post. I can e-mail to anyone that interested!

Yet another option is to get one of the small 4-barrel air cleaners they have at the parts store. If you have a long enough carb stud (the original studs are) you can install the little air cleaner, with wing nut, then place your original lid OVER the small air cleaner and secure it with a wing nut! There is just the right ammount of stud poking through that everything looks correct!! Here is a picture of the air cleaner that you will need. The raised edge arround the outside of the lid supports the factory lid perfectly. It doesn't slant at all. The one pictured is 1970s vintage but I believe the ones they still sell are exactly the same. I think o'reilleys has them. At least they did in Washington, Iowa! I'm running this on my engine until I get my two-piece base finished.

Ross