My2nd 69 442

This past weekend I reinstalled my original valve covers and the original air cleaner on my 69 442 400 CID engine
I found that with my HEI distributor, it interferes with the original air cleaner and will not allow the air cleaner to sit flush with on the original quadrajet.
I'm thinking that if I put a 1/2 carb spacer under the carb., that it will give me enough clearance for the air cleaner to sit properly on the carb.
Has anyone encountered this issue and can anyone tell me if raising the carb will correct my issue and will 1/2 " be enough.
If so, what is the proper stack up (gasket,spacer,gasket, carb) and who can sell me what I need.
Thanks for any replies

redoldsman

This is a common issue when installing the large diameter HEI on earlier cars. It is easier to put a spacer on top of the carb. Speedway Motors has all flavors. Here is a link.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Search...cleaner+spacer

RetroRanger

just watch your hood clearance, I took a piece of play doh and put it on top of my aircleaner and closed the hood to see how much it squashed, that showed me i need a drop base air cleaner

My2nd 69 442

Thanks guys. I must be having a major brain fart. I'll get the air cleaner spacer ordered tomorrow. I really want to use the original air cleaner and get my engine bay back to original looking. I'm also considering going back to an original distributor.

svnt442

You can try and find a 75 and up air cleaner base. They shift forward enough to clear the cap.

redoldsman

You could put your original distributor back and put a Pertronix kit in it.

joe_padavano

Kinda hard so long as you have that HEI in there...

My2nd 69 442

Any of you guys have a part number for a period correct distributor for a 69 442. If I can find the correct distributor, I will definitely put a Pertronix kit in it.
Thanks for the advice thus far

droptopron

Any Olds points distributor will work. You can even go to a parts store or Rock and get one. If you are worried about the correct casting # or date code I believe the correct #'s are 1111932 standard 442 & 1111933 W30. Not 100% sure - there may be different numbers for auto or manual.
Rock auto lists it for $90 but assume that won't have the right casting #'s

My2nd 69 442

I made it to my local Hotrod shop today and picked up a 1/2" spacer and that's just enough to allow my stock air cleaner to clear my HEI distributor cap.
I will continue to look for an original 1111932 point distributor to put my engine bay back to complete original.
I think all looks pretty darn good with the original tins

70sgeek

Pertronix also makes a points-cap style electronic distributor - Flamethrower III - essentially factory look, HEI spark.