I am looking for a drop base air cleaner that will clear a ccc feedback Quadrajet without using a plastic spacer ring.

Anyone have any specific brands or part numbers of air cleaners or bases that will clear the sensors, fuel line and distributor?

While searching, I have seen the L-88 (?) Quadrajet base for a big block mentioned as a good base that clears the distributor but not the throttle position sensor.

I am currently using a plastic spacer and would like to be rid of it and be able to use a taller element. None of the bases I have found locally will clear. I don't mind ordering one but I don't want to have to ship a dozen of them back until I stumble across one that fits.

Thanks!

 

Yeah, they're kinda hit or miss. I know what you mean about it hitting on the acc. pump arm- many are not tall enough to clear it. I had a good one a few years ago that was exactly the right height (I think it was either an Edelbrock or a Summit cheapie, but no idea if they would still be the same today). Foolishly, I gave it away with the car.

Holley makes a TALL air cleaner gasket, FYI. About 3/8" thick but easily peeled apart to make it shorter as needed. That's what I've been using on most of my QJets with drop base open elements. Usually only takes about 3/16" to make it clear.

 

My best guess would be to get an Edelbrock drop base assembly, I picked up a 14x3" with 1" drop and filter a couple weeks ago for $25 from Summit... the edelbrock carbs are pretty big themselves and the edelbrock base is a bit wider before it makes the drop and it's got a tall neck, allowing for extra clearance for the choke and fuel lines.

 

How tall of an element are you using now?

 

Not very tall... had to get the flashlight and go measure. Looks like about 2.25. I bought half a dozen from AZ and kept swaping them out till I got the biggest one that wouldn't squish when I shut the hood.

I plan on getting a K&N element, but I've been waiting (for the past 3 years) to decide what I want to do with the air cleaner, before buying a reuseable element. I don't know what made me decide now to finally decide what to do now.

I guess I still haven't really decided anything. I do want to get rid of the plastic spacer though.

 

The old L88 air cleaner is going to provide the most clearance. I've never seen another aircleaner that provides more clearance. It does fit the older Qjets. What about custom modding that base to clear what ever is different about the CC version Qjet? It will not clear the HEI distributor without modification. Easy to do thou.
if you're into cutting, forming and welding sheet metal I'm sure you could modify this air cleaner base to fit. Will allow a 3" element. Any clearance bulge you would have to create in the base will not adversly effect airflow. Once the lid is on you won't see the mods.

 

Gents,
I have a 1986 Pontiac Firebird s/e. I just had an Edelbrock 3701 intake and Comp Cam 260H installed. the new intake raised the height up to around an inch and a half. I'm not sure if the hood will close. Is it possible to take the OEM air cleaner and modify it with a someone drop base? I would like to keep it looking OEM, to keep it looking like factory performance.

 

That's a common problem when you use the Performer RPM under a stock 3rd gen hood. It's REALLY tight. You're gonna be fighting for every 1/16" you can find. First off, ditch the wingnut and put a little nylock acorn nut on the stud to retain the air cleaner- that buys you a little. Then it's mostly a matter of air cleaner design (drop base), filter height and if you need to stack a couple gaskets to keep the base from touching various parts on the top of the carb.

You gotta play with it some and try different things. What barely clears on one car might scrape the hood on another. Production line tolerances and how saggy your engine mounts are seems to have as big an effect as anything.

 

Sir,
It is NOT the Performer RPM. it is a regular Performer 3701 intake. Sorry for the confusion.

 

w41, I don't think you'll have a problem.
The car in my sig runs a Vortec/Q-jet Edelbrock Performer 2116, height of 4.57" as opposed to your 3701 height of 4.02".
The stock air cleaner just touches the Formula hood and wears the paint from the front edge of the air cleaner lid.
I'd be surprised if your hood has an additional 1/2" of structure inside it compared to mine. For all I know the s/e and Formula hood are one in the same.

 

Also have a 2116 here. Are you using the stock air cleaner?

 

Yes. I guess I wasn't totally clear about that above.

 

Thanks for that 86LGbird. I do know the 3701 intake is 1-3/8" higher that stock. Looking at the height of the carb know, it's up there. WE are going to try the stock air cleaner and see how it goes.