[67Lemons]

I know this is probably a dumb question but what do you do with a drop air cleaner base with a Pontiac Quadrajet that has a vent on the top, I assume you drill a hole to allow the vent to stick through the bottom of the base? I’m not sure I’m calling it the proper name but picture attached of the “vent” for clarity.

[78w72]

Yes drill a hold for it, have to do that on teh universal chrome bases too, they actually have a stamped marking for the hole to knock the tab out.

[burd]

Should have a gasket to keep dirt out too on that vent.

[Skip Fix]

Originally Posted by 78w72

Yes drill a hold for it, have to do that on teh universal chrome bases too, they actually have a stamped marking for the hole to knock the tab out.

Yep drill a hole

[steve25]

If that’s how little room you have above the air horn then running a drop base air cleaner assembly is totally self defeating !

[PontiacHO]

I drilled a 9/16 hole for mine. Put a smear of my granddaughters’ art gel paint on the vent rim a gently set the base over the carb until it touched the vent. Marked the spot perfectly.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by steve25

If that’s how little room you have above the air horn then running a drop base air cleaner assembly is totally self defeating !

How little room? He didnt mention how much room there is...

Totally self defeating? Pontiac used drop base air cleaners on 2nd gen TA & firebirds due to hood clearance issues that didnt defeat anything... I have a factory TA drop base air cleaner on a q-jet, car runs excellent in all situations as well as runs 11.2 at 121-123mph.

Lots of other 500+hp engines use drop base air cleaners too, he will be fine.

[PAUL K]

Been 9.7 @ 139 with a dropped base factory Formula air cleaner....they can't be too bad.

[Skip Fix]

My 78 TA has a modified Shaker base for a Holley/Demon. Has run 10.90s @ 124 pulling the air cleaner element.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

My 78 TA has a modified Shaker base for a Holley/Demon. Has run 10.90s @ 124 pulling the air cleaner element.

Did you see a improvement vs with the air cleaner? what did you do to secure the lid with no element in there, a stop nut & washer?

[Skip Fix]

YES! Enough when jetted for the air cleaner then pulling it out one night at test and tune it leaned popped out the Shaker in my face doing a dry hop! I made a hardware cloth cage and used a 6" air cleaner top to copy the L-88 hold down pieces.
On my 500" IA motor in the Camaro pulling the 14x4" air cleaner off and no base picked up 0.3 seconds!

[78w72]

Neat way to secure the base.

3 tenths from removing the air cleaner base entirely? Wow! Will have to try that, always heard/thought engines did better with a good air cleaner in place, especially the Q-jets that supposedly dont like open elements or direct straight down air supply.

[Skip Fix]

It might have picked up more if I rig up a smooth base and retain it. I know some of the SS guys drill holes and use springs to the valve covers.

[67Lemons]

I haven’t had time to measure how far the lid is off the drop base but the supposed 3” filter only measures at 2.75” so I ordered a 4” since I have plenty of room under the hood, that should bring the lid at least 3.5” off of the base. I’m thinking it’s fine either way but since I can fit the taller air filter I might as well.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by 67Lemons

I haven’t had time to measure how far the lid is off the drop base but the supposed 3” filter only measures at 2.75” so I ordered a 4” since I have plenty of room under the hood, that should bring the lid at least 3.5” off of the base. I’m thinking it’s fine either way but since I can fit the taller air filter I might as well.

Good thinking IMO

[242177P]

Originally Posted by 78w72

Totally self defeating?

Suspect Steve is thinking of the more conventional
bowl vent. In that case, having the lid that low would
indeed be self defeating.

[78w72]

OP has a Q-jet carb...

[242177P]

Originally Posted by 78w72

OP has a Q-jet carb...

I know.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 242177P

I know.

Ok, wasnt sure with the pic of a holley and explaining the low lid being self defeating...