cold air intake
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Eastern Pa
cold air intake
I've seen a post here before on this, but was wondering if there is an advantage of running a cold air intake on my 400. I have the 1406 Edelbrock with just the open element now. I understand the principle behind it, just never saw it on a truck engine.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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That open element air cleaner only works good on a trailer queen. Everybody thinks they look and sound "cool", -they do on a trailer queen show car hotrod. It is the cheap and lazy way out for an aircleaner. On a daily driver or truck that you want some performance you need to go to a variation of the OEM system. The OEM system is severely strangled and made to operate "OK" in the 1500-2500 PM range. For better performance you need an oversize dual snorkel airbox that can be made from a Mopar 440 box or a 454 Chevy pickup motor. How this is done has been discussed here many times.
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From: (near) Denver USA
All Ford trucks (and cars) from the mid-'70s and later had a factory cold-air intake system that ducts cold air from the front of the radiator support to the air cleaner.
A couple of performance options using OEM Ford parts are:
1. Dual-snorkel air cleaner housing from a '83-'85 Mustang GT 5.0 HO. It uses the largest stock-size filter element of any Ford gas engine (same as the 460), about 40% more filter surface area than the stock 351M/400 filter.
2. Air cleaner housing from a '83-'87 6.9L diesel engine. It mounts directly on the stock 2V carb, or any 4V carb with a standard airhorn (almost all E'brocks, Holleys, Carters, etc.). The filter element for the diesel is huge (more than double the surface area of the 460-size filter element) and the air intake tube is huge also. Unless you get it chrome plated, it aint pretty, but this is probably the ultimate performance option using Ford OEM parts and still relatively cheap paper filter elements.
A couple of performance options using OEM Ford parts are:
1. Dual-snorkel air cleaner housing from a '83-'85 Mustang GT 5.0 HO. It uses the largest stock-size filter element of any Ford gas engine (same as the 460), about 40% more filter surface area than the stock 351M/400 filter.
2. Air cleaner housing from a '83-'87 6.9L diesel engine. It mounts directly on the stock 2V carb, or any 4V carb with a standard airhorn (almost all E'brocks, Holleys, Carters, etc.). The filter element for the diesel is huge (more than double the surface area of the 460-size filter element) and the air intake tube is huge also. Unless you get it chrome plated, it aint pretty, but this is probably the ultimate performance option using Ford OEM parts and still relatively cheap paper filter elements.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: WA
I have the mustang air cleaner. There are a few issues with it. I have a Weiand intake manifold, with a 1" carb spacer, then the edel 1406 carb. The air cleaner just barely fits height wise, as its diameter makes it extend back under the front of the firewall. Also, the vacuum hoses on it like to interfere with the choke mechanism on the drivers side of the carb. Having 2 snorkels makes it harder to run a cold air intake, as the truck doesn't have a 2nd cutout by the radiator. And you will have to rig up something with the heat stove pipe if you opt to use it. But it does look cool!
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Elder User
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From: Eastern Pa
Looking cool is fine, but did you notice any help to your performance. Also what about the spacer. I have one of the 2 hole divided ones on the way. Any help there?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: WA
I did it the same time as my engine upgrade, so I can't really say if it helps or not. The spacer makes the fit worse, as it raises the air cleaner up to where it almost hits the firewall.
What I would like to find is one that uses a smaller diameter, but taller filter element.
I am getting ready to do the brake upgrade, adding an F350 booster/master cylinder to my 79 F150, and I believe the dual snorkel cleaner will hit the new master cylinder. I'll know on that next week.
What I would like to find is one that uses a smaller diameter, but taller filter element.
I am getting ready to do the brake upgrade, adding an F350 booster/master cylinder to my 79 F150, and I believe the dual snorkel cleaner will hit the new master cylinder. I'll know on that next week.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: (near) Denver USA
The Ford diesel air cleaner housing is a smaller diameter and taller. I don't have one handy, but from what I recall, it might be even smaller diameter than the OEM 351M/400 air cleaner housing.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: WA
Dave, is this the diesel air box you are talking about?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=29980&width=1
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=29980&width=1
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Check the 73-9 forum also. You can find the large dual snorkel air cleaners on Mopar 440 motorhomes, and some performance vehicles. The large airbox with a single snorkel on many 440 applications. Whatever you do I would suggest you use the stock Ford snorkels. To do that you will need to cut or enlarge the snorkel holes. The GM airbox is found on pickups thru various years. A K&N filter catalog is a usefull tool in finding large filter applications.