Replacement Air Cleaner for Rivy?

I was looking into getting a replacement air cleaner for my 1972 Riviera. I really want to let the engine breathe and I have inverted the lid of the stock air cleaner but it looks so ghetto that I feel embarassed when people look at the engine haha. I notice that K&N has many replacement air cleaners and filters in various shapes and sizes, but I was wondering what everyone's input would be on the ideal replacement. With the stock air cleaner in I have exactly 2.5" of hood clearance between the top of the air cleaner and the inside of the hood, that is the hood will actually close without forcing it closed.

Thanks, Nick

 

My suggestion is to first determine whether the engine can use the extra breathing. Try some acceleration runs to 60 and see if the extra air helps. This engine uses heated air to the carb under cool conditions, preventing carb icing in very humid conditions. Bypassing these controls could lead to cold driveability problems including hesitations, stalling, and surging. Since the Qjet had many applications, I suggest you find a case with the two snorkels, like what you might find on a GS or Stage 1. Use a K+N element intended to replace the stock element. That will give the extra breathing and still provide the hot air under cool conditions. Ray

 

Yup, do a test first...that snorkle opening may be small, but may be able to flow a lot of high-speed air.

My suspicion is that you'll find it likes more air, like my 350 did.

I scrounged the junkyards for an air cleaner housing off of an Olds Diesel, it's huge, takes the biggest/tallest air filter normally available at generic parts houses, and has no "extra" fittings or hoses to block off. It does have a kinda funky rubber snorkle / elbow / connector for a fresh air hose, but some black flex hose makes it look stock.

And the twin 2" X 6" openings I cut in the back are invisible to the annual inspectors!

Painted it semi-gloss black, Got me a "350-4 Buick", and a "Keep Your GM Car All GM" sticker, and I haven't had any troubles with the inspector guys, and it flows a LOT of air.