what do i needto do to be able to throw on an open element airfilter.

 

Buy on ebay or any parts store to fit a Q-jet. Be sure to measure your clearance so you don't get one too tall.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

First, you need to assess clearance, as Phess noted. 1-1/4" drop base 14x3 is usually a good start.

Next, you need to provide a filtered crankcase vent inlet. The factory system accomplishes that with the tube on the passenger side valve cover that goes to a small filter in the air cleaner housing. You can either route it to the open element base inside of the filter, or put a filtered breather cap in the valve cover grommet. Oh, don't forget to plug the thermovac vacuum port.

Finally, you need to decide whether you can live with the cold engine off-idle stumble that you'll get when you don't have the thermovac snorkel heat stove system in place. Not as much of an issue in hot weather, but when it gets cold in eastern Washington state, you'll think twice. And, during the hot weather, if you can live with the degraded throttle response from the engine ingesting hot underhood air.

I'll admit, the stock LG4 single-snorkel air cleaner is restrictive even to a stock LG4 - I went the open element route myself back in 2000 and it picked up a couple of tenths. As upgrades were accomplished, the single snorkel became a cruel joke. But, the side effects noted above weren't a bed of roses, either. The best solution is a dual snorkel air cleaner with ducting to cool air - either the factory type, or a homemade one.

 

anyone have pics of a fabricated a/cleaner like that ?? anyone have any recommendation of a good low profile air cleaner......my 350 has a q-jet on a Wieand manifold that definately sits higher than stock....the 14" Edelbrock a/cl hits the distributor......so I cant tell if it would fit under hood or not....its the final obstacle to overcome......

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/dualsnorkel Not the best picture.

Go through the "Post your carbed pictures" thread on this forum. There are some there.