Well currently I'm running a 3x14 air cleaner on my 302. As of late I have been replacing and upgrading my motor components. One of the parts I replaced was the distributor. I had a Excel Blue Print distributor and currently replacement parts were discounted so I had to replace it (soo sad) I replaced it with a MSD Billet distributor which was taller than the Excel by 3/4". The issue I have now is the air cleaner fouls number 5 plug boot, bad. My question is do I go with a smaller (10") air filter to fix the plug boot fouling issue or go with a 1/4 to 1/2" riser/spacer on my carb? I'm running a Holley 600cfm carb (another new part, ha ha) I have room between the hood and air cleaner for a carb riser and I do like the 14" so the motor can breath better. How much of a difference would a 10" air cleaner make compared to a 14" air flow? I'll be starting another thread about my experience with part suppliers I used. I spent about 2k on replacement parts and I have a thing or two to say about these "pro" part suppliers and their "quality" parts and technical knowledge or lack of...
I had the same problem many years ago, I ended up fabricating a spacer between the carb and air cleaner bottom, not sure if these spacers are available, but it was easy to make one. David
My .02 cents worth. If it were me and I had the hood clearance, I would use a 1/2 inch phenolic spacer under the carb. It would provide the needed clearance and possibly help insulate the carb a bit.
I vote for the carb spacer if possible. I'd also think a 10" air cleaner that was taller would work just as well.
I too vote for a carb spacer. A 14" filter is 44" circumference. A 10" filter is only 31.5". Further multiply that by the height of the filter and consider the pleating, the difference in area is large.
Thanks guys for all the input, I was leaning on the carb spacer because I didn't want to lose and breathing space. I do have room.
I've been looking at various spacers metal and plastic and I'm going with a 1/2 inch plastic spacer. Plastic wont transfer heat like a metal one will. I think an offset might cause an uneven air flow through the carb throat...maybe?
I see no reason not to use a spacer. I run a half-inch phenolic spacer on My Maverick. I also made 1/2-inch throttle bracket spacers out of stainless steel tubing, to keep the throttle cable geometry correct...
LOL The first time I saw one of those intakes was on a street rod. The carbs were sticking out past the body lines.
