I picked up an ’70 442 air cleaner base from a coworker. His brother had a ’70 442 and he kept many of the parts before the car was scrapped years ago. From what I’ve seen from other posts, this is a correct base for the ’70 442, but it’s not painted black on the inside. I’m not sure it’s painted at all in the inside area, but maybe a very light silver? Notice the black overspray around the breather hose, the plug and vacuum valve holes. Is this correct? I can’t remember seeing a GM air cleaner that was not completely painted. Any ideas?

 

I just looked at one I have from a 70 Cutlass that hasn't been messed with, and it is painted inside completely and still has a paint stamp marking of 69 there also. So I would say the paint is worn away on yours, and they should be painted inside.

 

X2. Should be painted. It almost looks like masking marks like it was taped off at each of the black spots. Maybe they bead blasted it? If you post a better picture of the snorkel and the end of it we can tell you for sure if it is correct for the 442

 

EDIT: on second look it does appear to be painted inside instead of beadblasted. The black around the plugs is where someone taped over the plugs before they spray painted over it.

Probably still has the original paint under the silver AND might even have the ink-stamped date code under the silver.

ORIGINAL REPLY:

As already mentioned, it's been beadblasted inside.....that accounts for the bare surfaces inside (and you can see where they missed some areas with the blast gun around the rubber plug, etc).

It's a '70 442 non-OAI hood air cleaner base....looks to be pretty nice.

You can tell this because it has the rubber "blank" plug in one of the breather holes that's on the perimeter of the metal base. It's located in the 9:00 position on the air cleaner in your first picture.

 

everyone I have had were black on inside as well

X2 on non OAI

 

Mystery solved! It was painted. The tip off was the masking marks that I thought was overspray. Knowing where to look for the date code I gingerly rubbed that area with a MEK soaked paper towel, working up to the date stamp and fully expecting it to wipe away. But it didn't. Strong ink for sure. So I continued and cleaned up the whole inside area. The center area is really pristine, saved by the silver paint. Thanks to all that replied!