Hi, working on my 1970 Cutlass Supreme with stock 350, 4 barrel. Just converted to HEI. Any suggestions on how to get the stock air cleaner to fit? It is hitting the HEI in the rear just a bit, preventing it from sitting all the way down. If I used some type of spacer between the carb and the air cleaner, will the air cleaner still engage into the heat riser on the passenger side manifold? The other option would be a smaller diameter aftermarket air cleaner. If I did that, what would you do with the heat riser?

Thanks.

 

I faced this same problem years ago on a 72 Cutlass I had. I used a spacer on top of the carb but had to use the flex stuff to reach from the air cleaner to the exhaust manifold.

 

The best solution is always the factory solution. If you insist on HEI, then you need an HEI air cleaner.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22719184313...Bk9SR8yAzL_UZw

Something like this one. Figure out what year a 70 acts like with an HEI in regards to air cleaner features and buy appropriately.

 

Or use a hammer to replicate the HEI style air cleaner.

 

I have fabbed a recess & it came out nice, but it was an OAI application so a spacer was not an option.

Want a nice steel spacer? Chevelle Cowl Induction spacer.

Want a “good enough” plastic spacer? Spectre & Mr Gasket sell them.

On a 70 small block, you’ll have plenty of clearance for the added height of the housing, even with a Street Dom or RPM intake.

​​​​​​….

 

I upgrade to a 83-84 Hurst Olds air cleaner for my 1970 L74 wagon , its dual snorkel chrome lid and clears HEI !

 

A good choice but they have no gotten cheaper. Or make your own like I did with a 307 single snorkel Vin Y and 260 snorkel tacked on. The air cleaner spacer is an option as well.

 

I had a 403 Trans Am snorkel and open element lid initially (thats I got for free) that I had painted black with POR 15 but then saw the opportunity to sell it for good money ($150-200 I don't recall) and I had waited forever an watched the H/O air cleaner on Craigslist for a year drop from $180 down to $40 ! LOL

 

Nice, people want stupid money for a dual snorkel. I would have bought that over homemade for $40.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm leaning toward just modifying my original as it is not in the greatest shape. Cut for the clearance then weld in a few patches to close it up.

Thanks.