Oval Air Filter Assembly

[cbmax]

Hi,

It's been a long time since my last post.

I just purchased an aluminum oval air cleaner assembly for my ERA 427 from Tony Branda. What should be a simple project is becoming complicated. First issue is that I can't get the air filter to tighten down so that it does not move. It is held in place with a metal "bridge". I have tried bending it but the air filter will still rotate. Next issue is worse. I don't have enough hood clearance.

It seems like the opening on the bottom piece of the air cleaner is slightly larger than the carbareutor. It is not a tight fit. I have the "Cobra" lettering facing towards the rear of the car.

Here are more details that might help to diagnose my problem. Motor is a Genesis 427 SO. Edlebrock single plane intake manifold. Carb is a Pro Systems 4150 four barrel. The car has a molded hood scoop.

Does anyone have any ideas? I can provide more details if you all ask questions. I really don't want to have to get into a larger air scoop.

Chris

[lippy]

I just finished (sort of) ERA 797, with a standard hood scoop. It has a Pond 427 with a Victor single plane intake and a Holley 950 Ultra HP carb. I also just added a 1/4" phenolic spacer because of fuel percolation issues. Long story short, the best I can do for an air cleaner is an 8.5" x 2.0" K&N with a Stelling & Helling base and top. There's simply no more room for anything else. In my opinion, do the best you can with the space you have, without cutting or altering. These cars just don't have much clearance.

[DanEC]

You probably should call ERA and talk to Doug and see what they can tell you about trying to fit that air cleaner.

[BBQCYCLEWERKES]

The air cleaner spinning around is a common problem with these. I removed 2 carb bolts to the manifold and replaced with studs and locked them down using a lock nut. I then marked the lower air cleaner plate and drilled and then bolted the lower to the studs. Air cleaner now mounts solid and doesn't turn. I hope this info helps.

[Bobcat]

Chris ... you didn`t say whether your lack of hood clearance is in the front , back or passenger side . I have ERA 757 and I had ERA cut the inside hood brace in the back to clear an oval air cleaner in case I wanted to run dual quads . Didn`t do that as I`m running a Pro Systems 950 , dual plane intake and an oval air cleaner ... 14" x 3" K&N filter . Anything smaller will choke the engine down above 3500 rpm .To get hood clearance and run the 1/4" carb base insulator , I got a drop base filter housing from Robert Pond . Fits like a glove and I have about 1/8" hood clearance . Don`t have a part number , but you should be able to find one at Summit or Jegs . However , I also did the ERA motor mount mod to both mounts ( not just driver side ) to keep the engine from torqueing over too much during the track weekends . Air cleaner will touch the hood under those conditions otherwise .

[Grubby]

The ERA manual mentions having to cut away some of the rear hood support to gain clearance for the oval air cleaner. Look in your build manual.

I also used studs to replace my carb bolts and bolted the air cleaner in place.

John

[cbmax]

Hi,

I will call Doug at ERA and look at the manual. It is difficult to tell where the clearance issue is. I am thinking it is toward the back. I like the idea of using the carb bolts to stop the turning. I am not sure I understand what is meant by the rear hood support.

Chris

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by cbmax

Hi,

I will call Doug at ERA and look at the manual. It is difficult to tell where the clearance issue is. I am thinking it is toward the back. I like the idea of using the carb bolts to stop the turning. I am not sure I understand what is meant by the rear hood support.

Chris

By hood support they are referring to the perimeter frame that is bonded to the underside of the exterior hood skin. I do remember seeing that detail now in the manual. I think the inside of the support has to be trimmed back to clear the air cleaner.

[cbmax]

Okay, I got it now! I did see that in the manual after you guys directed me there.

Will I need to repaint the underside of the hood.

CB

[Grubby]

I suspect you would need to repaint the bottom of the hood. Where you cut the support back it will reveal bare fiberglass.

Depending on the how good your paint job is and how good you want it to look after, a touch up or spot paint might work.

John

[cbmax]

Perfect excuse to have a giant serpent painted on the bottom of the hood!