Air Filter

[Snafu1]

Hello fellow forum members. I have a 1973 Eldorado, 500 ci with factory A/C and 4bbl Rochester carb with the off set air cleaner base. I wanted to put an open element air cleaner on it just for looks, but I am having trouble finding the right one. Can anyone make a suggestion or where i can find one that fits?

Thank You

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

All you need to do is to go to a speed shop and find one that fits, as in smaller outside diameter to clear the AC Compressor, and sufficient lowness to clear the hood insulation.

The problem with these cars is that the hoods are low, and the air cleaners are made to hang down below the opening of the carby to allow for the largest air filter that will fit.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

2 problems.   

Problem #1 as noted the factory did the offset to the rear to allow for a reasonable diameter and clear the AC compressor.  With the factory compressor in place you are limited to a fairly small diameter assembly.

Problem #2 is an Eldorado exclusive.  Due to the FWD the engine sits fairly high in the engine bay and doesn't leave much height between the carb and hood for the air filter which is also why the factory assembly offsets a bit low too to fit that fairly shallow element in there.

So about all that will fit is a fairly short small diameter system, maybe around 10"?  I don't think that would likely give you the look you are going for.

If its about looks maybe get the original sandblasted and a nice powder coat paint job?  I think we have had some people here that have grabbed similar air cleaner assemblies with better looking horns/snorkels and fabricated them onto the stock one to make a cooler dual inlet look. 
 

   

[bctexas]

FWIW, I tried an Edelbrock open element air cleaner on my '65 CDV.  The only problem with it is the noise.  It did not muffle the intake noise well compared to the factory air cleaner, and the noise was quite irritating.  It is now in a box, and the factory air cleaner is back in place.

Happy Motoring!

[walt chomosh #23510]

Snafu,
  A problem no one had mentioned is that the factory air cleaner has a valve that will allow hot air from the exhaust manifold to prevent carburetor "icing" in cold weather.....I was traveling of the Ohio turnpike in a 1967 Ford Fairlane GT many years ago using a high performance "open" filter housing when the motor suddenly died. I removed the air cleaner and peaked down the carb to find it clogged with ice! Under the "right" conditions ice will form and this will kill the motor.....just saying....walt...tulsa,ok

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Snafu,
  A problem no one had mentioned is that the factory air cleaner has a valve that will allow hot air from the exhaust manifold to prevent carburetor "icing" in cold weather.....

G'day Walt,

So that is what the tube is for.   Never would have thought.   Now I am even more educated.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

Does anyone remember who made the dual snorkel setup?  Or what vintage car it was?  I was thinking it was 70's Eldo likely in the same situation as this person is where there isn't really space to do much else.

[Snafu1]

Thank you all for the info and advice!

[Roger Zimmermann]

If I'm right, the '66 Olds Toronado had it.

[TJ Hopland]

If I'm right, the '66 Olds Toronado had it.

That was the style but I think someone created one for a Cadillac.