[b-man]

I recently acquired a very nice 1962 Tri-Power air cleaner to use on one of my projects.

Exactly what type of hardware was used by the factory to secure it to the airhorns of the 3 carbs?

[Engine-Ear]

Bart, I am not sure but I believe wing nuts are used on the air horn studs to hold down the tub. Maybe someone with a master parts catalog covering 1961-1963 can confirm...

[Stuart]

Just regular old wingnuts.

That thing is in real nice condition, wish mine was like that.

edit: I checked my parts book to confirm - they used the same wingnut for all air cleaners in 1961 (p/n 143812, 1/4"-30 threads), I assume it was the same case for 1962.

[b-man]

What I'm really wondering is how did they keep whatever fasteners they used from coming loose and diving down into the carbs.

I can come up with something I'm sure, just curious how the factory made sure this didn't happen.

Not an issue with the GTO and the three small chrome air cleaners but a potentially big issue here.

Not really sure I'd trust a wing nut inside there, not unless I was checking them on a somewhat regular basis.

Yes, it's still in excellent original condition and I paid dearly for that.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by b-man

What I'm really wondering is how did they keep whatever fasteners they used from coming loose and diving down into the carbs.

Just snug them down good. At least that's how my car was (I'm running GTO air cleaners on it now.)

[b-man]

A few more pictures for those who might be interested:

[63gpman]

That sure is nice!!!

I guess if you were concerned, they do make the locking type wingnuts
http://www.kirkengines.com/images/AFNut1.jpg

above is just an image, not sure where to get them.

[Deadhead]

"oftener under severe dust conditions" WTH? Now THAT is original! I guess they did not have spellcheck

[ho421]

Nice find. Is that the original paint and silk screening?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Deadhead

"oftener under severe dust conditions" WTH? Now THAT is original! I guess they did not have spellcheck

Actually I did look up the word 'oftener' in an online dictionary after seeing it silk screened on the side, it's in there with the definition that you'd expect it to have.

I noticed it had been changed to 'more often' on later versions.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by ho421

Nice find. Is that the original paint and silk screening?

Yes, 100% original.

Found it here in the classifieds, had been offered here since late last year with no takers.

Paid a lot for it as you would expect.

I'm going to use it on the 45B code '64 421 HO that's going in my '64 Le Mans convertble.

[Deadhead]

Originally Posted by b-man

Actually I did look up the word 'oftener' in an online dictionary after seeing it silk screened on the side, it's in there with the definition that you'd expect it to have.

Ebonics on-line?

[Ragtop Man]

Would be a big bang if that swallowed a wingnut.

Any way to safety wire or zip tie?

[b-man]

Nothing but wing nuts from the factory.

I'm thinking they're likely big enough to not be able to pass between the boosters and venturies.

Going to check that out for sure.

[Stuart]

I suppose some 1/4-20 Nyloc nuts would do the trick and provide some peace of mind, as long as you keep a suitable wrench in the glove box to remove them when necessary. No one will see them with the top cover on, anyway.

[63gpman]

Originally Posted by 63gpman

That sure is nice!!!

I guess if you were concerned, they do make the locking type wingnuts
http://www.kirkengines.com/images/AFNut1.jpg

above is just an image, not sure where to get them.

Or some nylon lock wing nuts

[b-man]

The only problem with nyloc nuts is that getting them on is easy, but at removal time the nyloc nut will want to stay put and the stud is going to back out of the air horn so really not practical.

[pfilean]

That's a nice looking unit b-man but it brings up a question. After I found mine at a swap meet I reconditioned it. Rebanged out the dents someone had put in trying to get some cobbled progressive linkage on and repainted it and got repro sticker instructions. But I repainted it with the semi flat like I had seen on most air cleaners. Then someone told me they were gloss black. I know some of the later ones got a chrome lid but I had not seen GM air cleaners in gloss. Yours looks gloss. I may have to redo mine.

Anybody - which way were they, gloss or semi flat?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by b-man

Nothing but wing nuts from the factory.

I'm thinking they're likely big enough to not be able to pass between the boosters and venturies.

Going to check that out for sure.

Found out that a wing nut is able to just barely get past the the boosters on the two secondary carbs, but the wing nut can't fall through the center primary carb.

I suppose if the factory had no problem with using the wing nuts then all should be fine as long as I snug them down good enough.

[pfilean]

There are wing nuts and then there are wing nuts. When I got my swap met air cleaner of course it didn't have the three wing nuts for the carb studs. So I just went to the hardware store and got what they had with the proper thread. I didn't have an old ones left and they are not visible anyway. Now this thread makes me wonder. The factory originals are bigger and might not fall into the carb. But these hardware store items are smaller. I never worried before but now I wonder? Find some big old factory nuts to replace my small ones or maybe put a dab of silicone gasket stuff on the threads to kind of lock them on. But then a little bit of silicone might fall in when I take the filter off.

Or maybe I should listen to Dick and put the little chrome ones back on. He's right - that sound is nice.