I am getting ready to place an order with Summit and I want to add an Edelbrock air cleaner and K&N filter. For the filter, K&N lists several thicknesses for the universal 14 inch filter: 2.81, 3.06, 3.5, 4.5, and 6. It seems like I should go as thick as possible as long as it will fit under the hood. I am guessing the 6 inch is too big, but the 4.5 might work. I thought someone wrote yesterday that they had a 5 inch filter. I have a standard height 4V intake. Does anyone have any thoughts on how thick I can go on the filter?

I was planning on getting the low end chrome Edelbrock air cleaner. Summit lists several 14 inch Edelbrock air cleaners but describes each as being for a 3 inch element. I can't figure out why you couldn't put a 4.5 inch thick K&N filter in the Edelbrock air cleaner. Seems to me the only limiting factor would be the height of the carb bolt (or screw, whatever it is called). Am I missing something here?

Also, The Edelbrock air cleaner is listed as fitting all popular 5 1/8 inch diameter carbs. I assume this would include my 4V Holley (4160 I think).

Lastly, should I get the filter grease for sealing the filter? I have never used it with the cheapy filters. Is it a must have item with the K&N? BTW, I am getting the cleaner and oil treatment kit.

I promise, in the future I will try to contribute to this board rather than being just a 'knowledge parasite'.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

I just purchased the universal 4" high X 14" wide open K&N Air cleaner kit with a precleaner from Summit... just barely fits under the hood.

 

The height you can use depends also on the bottom you use. Does the base have a drop in it or is it flat?? The drop base gives you another 1" or so.

You can use any filter with any combo of holders as long as they are the same diameter.

As for stud to hold it down, if the one you have is not tall enough, go to Lowes or such and buy a piece of all thread and cut yourself a piece long enough to fit your application. I'm thinking it is 5/16"-18 thread? Been too long since I paid attention. Take your old piece with you and match it up. No biggie.

If you want to know how tall you can go, then measure from top of carb to top of cowl where hood meets. This will give you an estimate(take into account the bracing under the hood).

All in all, I think a 3 or 4" filter will be more than sufficient for the application.

As for using grease to seal the filter.....I would not waste the time. It will make more of a mess anytime you take it apart then it will "help" with filtering.

Larry

 

The drop base issue is part of what has been confusing me. Edelbrock and K&N provide both types of air cleaners but not much to indicate when you should use one versus the other. Sounds like using the drop base and a 4 inch filter would work fine. I just wasn't sure if the drop base version would interfere with something else on top of the engine.

I hadn't considered the mess that might be associated with the sealing grease. especially when you need to handle the filter to clean it. Plus I doubt there is any real benefit. Might as well save the $10 for something else.

 

Sorry, forgot about the "drop base" issue. The kit I purchased was NOT the drop base, I wanted to make sure I had room for my DUI dizzy later. With my stock manifold and 2-bbl carb, I think that 5" would probably be the max. With the "drop", you should have room for 6" or more.

Freightrain's mesurement suggestion should tell ya - that's what I did and came up pretty close.