dumb air breather question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

incoma · 07-19-2006, 11:06 PM

I've had my truck running on and off for 13-14 years. I've always used the stock air intake in the pic below. I'm in a time crunch and drove the truck down to a local shop to have it properly tuned.

He said I wasn't getting enough air, and installed this silly air filter that makes the top of the cleaner sit off of the bottom of the cleaner. Now the truck's running well, but what's wrong with this picture?

What am I missing? Something tells me that my fairly stock 350 shouldn't need anything wacky like this... thoughts? Please tell me I'm not crazy.

big blue 72 · 07-19-2006, 11:16 PM

looks like they only had one with the right diameter and put it on , figured you wouldnt notice.............

Green Machine · 07-19-2006, 11:18 PM

Same thing can be done by turning the lid over - what were the symptoms requiring the tune up ?

incoma · 07-19-2006, 11:19 PM

Well, when he called me to tell me what they did he admitted to doing it. Said the engine wasn't breathing correctly and needed more air. Said the air cleaner is too restrictive.

JAMESCHURCH13 · 07-19-2006, 11:22 PM

If it runs good now and it fixxed the problem score. If you dont like the look buy the cheap air cleaner from summit thats open all the way around and use the fillter you got now. Peace.

incoma · 07-19-2006, 11:21 PM

green_machine - fresh carb, and I'm not savvy with them. I just needed the idle, etc fixed. I also wanted the 200 4R adjusted to it would shift correctly. I don't know how to adjut tv cables. He adjusted it a bit and said that he thought a real tranny mechanic should look at it. I think it shifts fine, I just want someone with pressure gauge to make sure its not going to burn up.

ERASER5 · 07-19-2006, 11:29 PM

I used to put the big filter on my truck just so I could hear the four barrel moan. Before that I would flip the lid on Dad's car to hear the carb. That would drive Dad nuts. He kept complaining about the car sounding funny! I'd go and put the lid on right for a few weeks and he thought the problem went away.

krue · 07-20-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

I used to put the big filter on my truck just so I could hear the four barrel moan. Before that I would flip the lid on Dad's car to hear the carb. That would drive Dad nuts. He kept complaining about the car sounding funny! I'd go and put the lid on right for a few weeks and he thought the problem went away.

You ain't right.

69-350 · 07-20-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

I used to put the big filter on my truck just so I could hear the four barrel moan. Before that I would flip the lid on Dad's car to hear the carb. That would drive Dad nuts. He kept complaining about the car sounding funny! I'd go and put the lid on right for a few weeks and he thought the problem went away.

haha, that's great!

anyways, I usually look at an aircleaner like that and the first thing that comes to my mind, well, it's politically incorrect for these boards, but let's say it's a synonym to red-necked. Flipping the lid over (for reasons other than to bug your father or other people) not only looks horrible, but isn't that great anyways. I'd be sure to see if that air cleaner is the same diameter, if not, the bottom/top won't seal with the contours in the air cleaner housing, and can still let dirt in there (and having an air cleaner at all will be irrelivent). If it is the same diameter as whats' meant to go in that housing, then I'd just try and see if it looks like it would seal good. GM didn't have their heads up their pie-holes when they figured stuff like this; a good air cleaner will go hand-in-glove with its housing and make sure the only air that comes through will go through the filter, not around it.

PanelDeland · 07-20-2006, 11:38 AM

That's correct 69 but GM was trying to keep everyone happy by building quiet vehicles and many ("regular" not "Car Guy's") people didn't want to hear the roar of the carb.GM's enclosed air cleaner was designed for the quiter noise level while giving OK but not optimum airflow.

jacobs · 07-20-2006, 11:55 AM

Been there done that! It MIGHT give the engine a little more air but I couldn't ever tell any difference except it seemed like the filter got a lot dirtier a lot sooner and this was mountain driving where you can tell even small differences in power. This was with a stock 1969 c20 350 way back in 1970.

*MisterMan* · 07-20-2006, 04:54 PM

looks like he charged you for labor anda new top retainer, all ya woulda had to do is flip the lid!>> LOL< im running an old @ss cadi's airfilter pan. lmao, its huge!! gets the air tho!!!

Longhorn Man · 07-20-2006, 05:10 PM

The stock snorkels were very restrictive. That's why a performance enthusiast will toss the stock cleaner day one of ownership. You'll have ppl complain the argument that cold air is better than hot air, and the snorkel gets cooler air to feed.
However, the truth of the matter is, if you can give the engine all the hot air it wants, you'll be better off than feeding it a minimum amount of cool air.
Is it running better?
Is it getting better MPG?

jimfulco · 07-20-2006, 10:38 PM

You want redneck? I cut a similar snorkel off an old filter housing and added it to my stock single-snorkel housing. Now I have two snorkels, way less noise than with a flipped lid, and way more power than with one snorkel. Might put on another one just for fun.

**Stocker** · 07-20-2006, 10:46 PM

Suppose I shouldn't admit this, but years ago I flipped the lid.... wasn't long, though, before I got a chrome aftermarket air filter assembly. When I used to pick up my daughter after school, she loved the sound (and the acceleration) when I cracked the big secondaries on the Q-jet!

incoma · 07-20-2006, 10:31 PM

Well, I've got to tell you. I fixed my driveshaft today (carrier problem....) and drove it with the old air cleaner, and new one. The difference is tremendous. I honestly didn't believe it would make a difference, but it did. Now you also have the noisy 4 bbl rumbling when you open it up, but it does have more pickup (as well as noise). I'm going to need to get my chrome air filter out for this job, or find something with a larger snorkel. Its too bad, b/c I like the way the oem air filter/snorkel looks..

incoma · 07-20-2006, 10:46 PM

jimfulco - I like that idea

Longhorn Man · 07-20-2006, 11:20 PM

Adding another snorkle would help, but not as much as how it is right now.
your best bet (while keeping it simple) would to be to add another snorkle, as stated, then get some breather hose... either the black plastic stuff from wall mart, or tryer vent tup (painted black) and hook it to the snorkles, and run the other end to the top of the rad core support. Terminate it on top of the support, and try to make it neet, then slam the hood. Open it back up and neeten it up some more, and secure it to the core support. (slamming the hood will crimp it to a smaller oval opening) Remember, cold air is best, so if you can get 2 snorkles sucking in the wind from in front of the truck, you'll be pretty well off.

incoma · 07-20-2006, 11:24 PM

A late model air intake from a TBI engine will probably work well. They have a large 6" diameter oval intake tube. It should also fit the carb correctly. Thanks for the ideas.

**67sss** · 07-21-2006, 02:14 AM

In this state we call the open chrome air cleaners "August Air Cleaners", cause up here August is the ONLY month when the humidity is right for an open air cleaner..just my no-cents worth.

Sweet72 · 07-21-2006, 08:17 AM

Or... You could spring for this cheapie on ebay! Only $1500 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...QQcmdZViewItem

incoma · 07-21-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet72

Or... You could spring for this cheapie on ebay! Only $1500 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...QQcmdZViewItem

What truly amazes me is there are 2 bids!

jacobs · 07-21-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by incoma

What truly amazes me is there are 2 bids!

I sold a 1965 z16 Chevelle dual snorkle air cleaner on eBay 2 years ago for $3,000. There's people out there that don't mind spending a lot of money on their toys.

TravisH · 07-21-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by incoma

What truly amazes me is there are 2 bids!

Reserve not met

72 Cheyenne K20 · 07-21-2006, 12:14 PM

I had a thought about fabing my air cleaner. I always heard that the stock air cleaner restricted the amount of air being let in. I want to keep the stock look, so I decided to cut an oval opening in the back of the housing between 10:30 and 1:30 (snorkel at 5:00). This should let enough air in and not show any mods to the cleaner. The only thing I don't know is if the air back there is air that I want going to the carb. Maybe too hot or too dirty?

Scott

07-19-2006, 11:06 PM	#1
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	dumb air breather question I've had my truck running on and off for 13-14 years. I've always used the stock air intake in the pic below. I'm in a time crunch and drove the truck down to a local shop to have it properly tuned. He said I wasn't getting enough air, and installed this silly air filter that makes the top of the cleaner sit off of the bottom of the cleaner. Now the truck's running well, but what's wrong with this picture? What am I missing? Something tells me that my fairly stock 350 shouldn't need anything wacky like this... thoughts? Please tell me I'm not crazy. Attached Images __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension

07-19-2006, 11:16 PM	#2
big blue 72 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: hamilton,ohio,usa Posts: 1,499	Re: dumb air breather question looks like they only had one with the right diameter and put it on , figured you wouldnt notice.............

07-19-2006, 11:18 PM	#3
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: dumb air breather question Same thing can be done by turning the lid over - what were the symptoms requiring the tune up ? __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

07-19-2006, 11:19 PM	#4
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Re: dumb air breather question Well, when he called me to tell me what they did he admitted to doing it. Said the engine wasn't breathing correctly and needed more air. Said the air cleaner is too restrictive. __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension

07-19-2006, 11:22 PM	#5
JAMESCHURCH13 JamesChurch13 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edwards AFB Sunny California Posts: 151	Re: dumb air breather question If it runs good now and it fixxed the problem score. If you dont like the look buy the cheap air cleaner from summit thats open all the way around and use the fillter you got now. Peace. __________________ *HG/FTW!!!* Current vehicle collection: 1968 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleet Side, 327ci, TH350 (MD) 1987 Chevy Dually Quad Cab, 427ci, TH400 2008 Buell XB12SS, 1203cc 2006 YZ450F Wheelie Machine! 1997 Suzuki Bandit 600cc And the Wife has some cars I pay insurance on and use to transport the kids!(01' Grand Cherokee and 06' Pontiac Grand Prix)

07-19-2006, 11:21 PM	#6
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Re: dumb air breather question green_machine - fresh carb, and I'm not savvy with them. I just needed the idle, etc fixed. I also wanted the 200 4R adjusted to it would shift correctly. I don't know how to adjut tv cables. He adjusted it a bit and said that he thought a real tranny mechanic should look at it. I think it shifts fine, I just want someone with pressure gauge to make sure its not going to burn up. __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension

07-19-2006, 11:29 PM	#7
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: dumb air breather question I used to put the big filter on my truck just so I could hear the four barrel moan. Before that I would flip the lid on Dad's car to hear the carb. That would drive Dad nuts. He kept complaining about the car sounding funny! I'd go and put the lid on right for a few weeks and he thought the problem went away.

07-20-2006, 11:38 AM	#10
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: dumb air breather question That's correct 69 but GM was trying to keep everyone happy by building quiet vehicles and many ("regular" not "Car Guy's") people didn't want to hear the roar of the carb.GM's enclosed air cleaner was designed for the quiter noise level while giving OK but not optimum airflow. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-20-2006, 11:55 AM	#11
jacobs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 9000' Mountain Man Posts: 326	Re: dumb air breather question Been there done that! It MIGHT give the engine a little more air but I couldn't ever tell any difference except it seemed like the filter got a lot dirtier a lot sooner and this was mountain driving where you can tell even small differences in power. This was with a stock 1969 c20 350 way back in 1970. Last edited by jacobs; 07-20-2006 at 12:35 PM.

07-20-2006, 04:54 PM	#12
MisterMan Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Visalia, California Posts: 286	Re: dumb air breather question looks like he charged you for labor anda new top retainer, all ya woulda had to do is flip the lid!>> LOL< im running an old @ss cadi's airfilter pan. lmao, its huge!! gets the air tho!!!

07-20-2006, 05:10 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: dumb air breather question The stock snorkels were very restrictive. That's why a performance enthusiast will toss the stock cleaner day one of ownership. You'll have ppl complain the argument that cold air is better than hot air, and the snorkel gets cooler air to feed. However, the truth of the matter is, if you can give the engine all the hot air it wants, you'll be better off than feeding it a minimum amount of cool air. Is it running better? Is it getting better MPG?

07-20-2006, 10:38 PM	#14
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Re: dumb air breather question You want redneck? I cut a similar snorkel off an old filter housing and added it to my stock single-snorkel housing. Now I have two snorkels, way less noise than with a flipped lid, and way more power than with one snorkel. Might put on another one just for fun.

07-20-2006, 10:46 PM	#15
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,731	Re: dumb air breather question Suppose I shouldn't admit this, but years ago I flipped the lid.... wasn't long, though, before I got a chrome aftermarket air filter assembly. When I used to pick up my daughter after school, she loved the sound (and the acceleration) when I cracked the big secondaries on the Q-jet! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-20-2006, 10:31 PM	#16
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Re: dumb air breather question Well, I've got to tell you. I fixed my driveshaft today (carrier problem....) and drove it with the old air cleaner, and new one. The difference is tremendous. I honestly didn't believe it would make a difference, but it did. Now you also have the noisy 4 bbl rumbling when you open it up, but it does have more pickup (as well as noise). I'm going to need to get my chrome air filter out for this job, or find something with a larger snorkel. Its too bad, b/c I like the way the oem air filter/snorkel looks.. __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension

07-20-2006, 10:46 PM	#17
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Re: dumb air breather question jimfulco - I like that idea __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension



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07-20-2006, 11:20 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: dumb air breather question Adding another snorkle would help, but not as much as how it is right now. your best bet (while keeping it simple) would to be to add another snorkle, as stated, then get some breather hose... either the black plastic stuff from wall mart, or tryer vent tup (painted black) and hook it to the snorkles, and run the other end to the top of the rad core support. Terminate it on top of the support, and try to make it neet, then slam the hood. Open it back up and neeten it up some more, and secure it to the core support. (slamming the hood will crimp it to a smaller oval opening) Remember, cold air is best, so if you can get 2 snorkles sucking in the wind from in front of the truck, you'll be pretty well off.

07-20-2006, 11:24 PM	#19
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Re: dumb air breather question A late model air intake from a TBI engine will probably work well. They have a large 6" diameter oval intake tube. It should also fit the carb correctly. Thanks for the ideas. __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension

07-21-2006, 02:14 AM	#20
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,325	Re: dumb air breather question In this state we call the open chrome air cleaners "August Air Cleaners", cause up here August is the ONLY month when the humidity is right for an open air cleaner..just my no-cents worth.

07-21-2006, 08:17 AM	#21
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: dumb air breather question Or... You could spring for this cheapie on ebay! Only $1500 bucks.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction. Last edited by Sweet72; 07-21-2006 at 08:17 AM.

07-21-2006, 12:14 PM	#25
72 Cheyenne K20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Staunton, Virginia Posts: 554	Re: dumb air breather question I had a thought about fabing my air cleaner. I always heard that the stock air cleaner restricted the amount of air being let in. I want to keep the stock look, so I decided to cut an oval opening in the back of the housing between 10:30 and 1:30 (snorkel at 5:00). This should let enough air in and not show any mods to the cleaner. The only thing I don't know is if the air back there is air that I want going to the carb. Maybe too hot or too dirty? Scott

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