Intake vs. Hood Clearance

[ronzara]

Hey Guys,
I am wanting to put a new intake manifold on my cobra. I am currently running a stock 351W set up with no clearance issues. I have an Everett Morrison Cobra with the smaller hood scoop. Any suggestions on what I could get away with under there?????

I am running a Road Demon 625cfm Carb with the flat Oval "COBRA" air cleaner.

I am looking for great "streetable" power...... torque,.. not a lot of high RPM's.
I suppose this would put me in the Dual Plane catagory, right???

All suggestions, comments appreciated.
thanks,
RZ

[Rick Parker]

Ron:

If you know the current hood clearance, and manifold height, use that info and check the Edelbrock catalog which provides all of the critical dimensions of their various manifolds, you can also gain hood clearance with a different type of air filter assembly if necessary.

Good luck

Rick

[Rufus]

Hi - I'm new here.

I'm nearing the completion of an ERA kit. It has a 434 cid 351 w/ Edelbrock Victor Jr. Manifold and a Barry Grant 750. (All built, broken in and dynoed by Kuntz & Co.) The car has a normal size 427 SC scoop molded into the 'glass hood.

Anyway I hope I'm only a couple of days to a week away from firing it up for the first time. My latest problem.... er challenge is to find an air cleaner that will fit.

I've mocked up an oval assy out of cardboard (8.5 wide x 11 long x 2.5 high), and the top hits the inside of the hood scoop on the sides. This tells me my total clearance between the air filter mounting surface on the carb and the hood is only about 2.5 in. Anyone have any ideas for a shorter air cleaner??

I'd like to minimize air cleaner restriction if possible, so it doesn't kill top end too much.

Thanks, Bob Schaefer

[coosawjack]

I had the same problem with my 408W with Performer RPM intake!!

Found a chrome 9"x2" air cleaner at Auto Zone and added a K & N element with a K & N 9" "Extreme" top which fits the bill and gives no noticable restriction??

BTW, I can't really tell any difference with or without the Extreme top!!

Jack

[Rick Parker]

Check the roundy round magazine advertisers for air filter assemblies designed specifically for low hood clearance. They typically use a 14" or 16" diameter filter that is "3"- 4" tall, and drop the outside area of the assembly while retaining sufficient clearance above the carburetor body in the center for good airflow.

......Rick

[Rufus]

Rick -

Do you think these will clear an MSD distributor on a 351W?? It doesn't appear to me there's that much room.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

[Rick Parker]

They do on my 289, I have a picture but it is to large to post.
Measure from the center of your carb the the outside of your distributor. If it's over 7" a 14" air filter will work. If you have any circle track race shops in your area they may stock these sort of items so you can check it out. If you would like me to send a pic of it installed on my 289 post your email address and I will send it to you directly.

....Rick

[Rufus]

Rick - I measure only 6.5 in from the carb / aircleaner C/L to the rear of my distributor.....maybe my manifold locates the carb further forward????? I also measure 1.25 in between the distributor and the front bowl float pivot area on the outside of the carb. It would be interesting how that compares with yours.

Jack - I stopped at AutoZone yesterday and bought a 9.0 dia x 2.0 in. tall Spector assy. It just barely fits without hitting the underside of the hood, but only if the a/c assy is 'slid' as much as possible to the driver's side on the carb mounting surface. It will at least get me running, but I bet it will hit even at idle.....the clearance appears to be less than 1/16, but I cant' tell exactly.

Need more clearance. I'll also probably redo my engine torque strap to take out any possibility of movement if the left mount fails. The 9.0 in dia cleaner can't be lowered because the element area will hit the carb float adjustments.

Does anyone know of a 2.0 inch high element for the oval "Cobra" filter assy? Or if some one could post the exact dimensions of the oval, I could check the current Fram catelog for a fit.

It looks like one viable solution is the Stellings that's obviously restrictive. Could someone please post their height?

Bob

[Rick Parker]

If you are using the large diameter Ford distributor cap, consider changing to the regular diameter or go to a small diameter billet one from MSD or Mallory. This will help you gain the necessary clearance.

Rick