409 Air Cleaner

[Grant Glascock]

Can anyone explain which air cleaner is correct for a 1963 Impala 340 horse 409? I have seen several different ones used in photos but the one I see the most is the chrome, single snorkel, four barrel air cleaner that is round at the face of the snorkel. I have also seen something about the number of ridges on the top of the air cleaner. Any ideas as to what is correct? Thanks, Grant.

[Jim G.]

That is exactly like my original for my '63 409/340.

Jim G.

[rod61727]

Is the base also chrome? I have seen some with only the top portion of the air cleaner chrome, and the base is black...

[Rockfish39]

Is the base also chrome? I have seen some with only the top portion of the air cleaner chrome, and the base is black...

Original L-33 air cleaners have a painted base with a chrome top. Both pieces should not be chrome. ALSO the base should have a breather tube protruding from the bottom of it...Most SBC air cleaners wont have this provision.

They way that I tell a "W" from a SBC lid that has been chromed is that the diameter of the snorkel inlet circle is about 20% larger on a "W" than a SBC. The snorkel lenght is also about 1 inch shorter.

Rock :cool:

[robota]

My 64 409/340 has a black base on its air cleaner. I have seen pictures of the car when it was young and it was the same, black base. The color of paint section on this website calls for the base to be black. Hope this helps.

[Grant Glascock]

I appreciate all the feedback. I also have been told that the snorkels are different from '63 to '64/'65. It seems that the '63 snorkels were one piece as opposed to two pieces. Thanks, Grant.

[Impalaguru]

The 63 bases don't have a breather tube but the 64-65 bases do. I've seen a few 327 air cleaners that do have a breather tube coming out of the bottom. Possibly from an emissions car? Not sure of the years, either. I once had a 2 barrel base that had a breather tube.
Ross