snafu7x7

I recently upgraded my carb to the Edelbrock 1406 Performer (600 CFM) from the original stock carb. When they went to put the air cleaner back on they discovered it doesn't quite fit the new carb so I'll need to purchase an Edelbrock model to fit it.

So I'll be going from this setup:




to something like this:




What do I need to be aware of to make this work? Obviously it is a completely different setup, the old model has additional hose connections etc, so what do I need to do to make this work well? Thanks

Starfury

Depends on how original you want it to look/function.

Option 1) Eliminate any smog provisions and call it a day.
This will probably be the least-expensive option. You'll need a new open-filament air cleaner (does not have to be an Edelbrock) and a new PCV breather that fits on your factory valve cover. The PCV breather should not have a hose connection on it. You'll also need to remove the hot-air intake provisions from the passenger side of the air cleaner (ie. the big heat riser assembly coming off the passenger side of the air cleaner).

Option 2) Keep your factory PCV breather setup.
You'll need an open-filament air cleaner which includes a PCV breather hose connection. Many of the factory-style hi-po air cleaners do, and I think Edelbrock's air cleaners may as well. It's a little plastic elbow which bolts onto the air cleaner base and provides a hookup for the breather hose. You'll also need to get some new breather hose, but it must be fuel-resistant hose! This is trickier than it sounds, and you may need to go to a commercial hose/fittings specialist shop to find it if your local parts stores don't carry it.
You will still need to remove the hot air riser assembly; there's no getting around that.

snafu7x7

Thanks for the reply.

OK so with either option I should just remove that hot air riser? What goes in it's place, nothing? As I understand it, the design is to pump warm air into the carb when it's running cold. Does the Edelbrock have some other mechanism for cold starts like a choke or something that replaces the need for this?

Also, assuming #1, what kind of PCV breather am I looking for exactly? I did a google search and they seem to all look very similar to the one I already have so I'm not clear on that part...

69mach1377

Do you live in a cold place and drive it a lot?
Look at my link to pix below to show 2 things I did.
1. PCV to carb vacuum
2. Breather to air cleaner
Choke in cold does it for me, but I don't start it below freezing since it is garaged.

snafu7x7

I live in the northeast but I don't drive it much in the cold months. Also I garage it so it's not often I start it when it's really cold. That's a nice setup you have, I'd like to get to that point in the future for sure but for now I'm shooting for 'best I can do' (reason being, I live in NYC at the moment, I have no place to work on it beyond simple repairs...but I'm moving this summer so for now I'm just trying to get it running well until I can do the job right if that makes sense?) Thanks.

Starfury

Most cars run fine without the hot air choke. As long as your carburetor choke is adjusted properly, you should be ok.

The breather will depend on the type of attachment at the base. Some use two flat tabs that slide into two cutouts in the valve cover and then rotate, some simply pop into a circular rubber bushing that sits in a hole in the valve cover.

tx65coupe

If your keeping the rest of the engine bay stock looking, I would try to retain the stock air cleaner. If you can't find a way to make it fit, I suggest the chrome HiPo air cleaner. This looks nice with the stock valve covers. I wouldn't use to wonky wing nut though. That Edelbrock air cleaner you pictured looks nice except for the massive logo on it. It would need matching style valve covers. I'd pass on it anyway.

fastbackford351

Eewww.

guitarman376

I was able to purchase a summit drop base air cleaner, paint it engine color, bought a 351w decal, attached a pcv hose nipple, and used random hose to connect to valve cover breather. Starfury is absolutely right, I couldn't find fuel safe hose for this type of application. In the future I might try rigging up some smaller size stainless hose to the valve cover breather and attach that to air cleaner somehow...for now I think its fine, keeping my eye on it

barnett468

.
that will look like total cr_p . . make your orig air filter fit.

put new fender bolts in.

paint the air cleaner snorkel bolts silver.

put an orig type coil in it or paint your coil black.
.