I am attempting to replace the air cleaner but cannot seem to find one that clears the hood when closed. I have bought a couple from like autzone but all seem to be too tall, so to this point I have had on a makeshift one. I do not know which carb I currently have but I assume that it is the stock one. the engine is a 250 (year 1974 not sure if it matters). Is anyone able to tell me where I can purchase one? Thanks
The 250 is a tall engine. The factory air cleaner is a drop-base design to give the needed clearance. Might wanna put an ad in the parts wanted section.
I had a 170 and replaced it with a 250. I tried to use the 170 YF carb but it was too tall. I had to get a 250 YF carb that was a bit shorter. That looks like the RBS carb (I think that is correct). I didn't think they used that carb in '74. RThomas, was your set up original? Micah
My '74 came with and still has the RBS. Carburetor applications are as follows: • 1970-74 170, 200 Six—Carter YF 1 bbl • 1970-74 250 Six—Carter RBS 1 bbl • 1975-76 200, 250 Six—Carter YFA 1 bbl • 1971-74 302 V8—Autolite (Motorcraft) 2100D 2 bbl • 1975-77 302 V8—Motorcraft 2150 2 bbl • 1977 302 V8 (California)—Motorcraft 2700 W (Variable Venturi)
The Carter RBS requires the drop base... AND... the diameter of the opening on top isn't a standard size. Most 1 barrel carbs have a 2-5/8" opening. The RBS is closer to 2-3/8. That means you'll need TWO adapters to make it a standard size opening. Now, if you DO happen to find the original drop base air filter housing, good luck in finding the oval-shaped fresh-air intake hose. Dorman stopped making them years ago. That's where I'm at right now. Trying to find that specific intake hose or a really low carb hat with that odd-sized opening for a C.A.I. set up. Don't ever accuse the Ford guys of not having a sense of humor.
I figured I will never find the original intake hose. So, I thought I'd do something similar to a cold air intake. But I wanted to try something on the cheap. So I went to the local junkyard and I picked up a part from an early 90s GM car. I brought the air cleaner housing with me to make sure that the rubber Flex part fits around the open hole. And this part fit perfectly. Pics show what it looks like after I cut it down. Notice I put an angled cut on it and I did that for a reason. I knew that the tube would be pointing downward and I wanted it to not only pick up air coming straight up but also rushing from the front of the car as we are moving along. The under-side view shows the tube facing toward the front of the car. It's in a large open space where it can grab a lot of air. The air that it grabs will be colder than just having the air filter housing itself because that hole was directly over the motor. Lastly, I sealed everything up on the air cleaner housing. So now, one hundred percent of the air will be coming straight from that angle tube that's facing toward the front of the car and is down low where there's cooler air. The result??? Acceleration off the line is about the same. I can still get a nice burnout. But... acceleration in the mid-range to top end of each gear is noticeably better! The part cost me $10, including the hose clamp. Total time spent cutting it down, sanding the rough edge, and installing the piece was roughly 25 minutes. So, there you have it. A cheap mod that actually helped gain better performance.
This is awesome. I will definitely attempt to do something similar after I can get my hands on the housing.
