carb clearance issues

[paintpyro]

OK, heres the deal. My current setup is an Edelbrock Performer intake, with a Holley 4150. I bought a Summit 14" air cleaner, with no recess. I wasn't sure if I'd have nough clearance, so I ordered a 3/4 inch spacer too. Heres the deal, even with the spacer. There was nowhere near enough clearance between the air cleaner and the throttle lever extension. A dope smokin old man owned it before (he gets around Andy!), and he was runnin some cheesy fabbed 3 inch spacer from some Home Depot tubing. I'm not sure if he even has the stock linkage on there. Anyways, am I missing something here. Even with the 3 inch spacer, when I get on the throttle, the lever extension is hitting. Any ideas? Sorry if this doesnt make sense, but I'm at work, and the trucks at home, and it was late when I looked.