IMO, neither of those air cleaners came from the factory with that paint on them. Engine compartment "components" (air cleaner, brackets, starter, etc.) were painted semi-gloss black. Engine compartment "surfaces" were painted semi-FLAT or satin black.

 

My 75's original cleaner and rubber seal.

 

Yes...there is a standard...and what you have is not it....I hate to say it.

I can tell you this ...what you have stands out like a sore thumb and would draw attention. Because what you have is NOT the 'standard'.

Keep it like it is or refinish it is entirely up to you.

I would love a good photo of the side of your air cleaner base and compare the texture. I am guessing that these HAVE been painted on. Because I can not see how GM would let them leave the plant or even be installed. Because we are not talking about a slight defect...this is obvious.

Now if you feel they are still factory correct and are unique and an 'exception to the rule' kinda thing. Good luck in getting a judge to believe that....if that is what you are trying to do is please judges and get points. AND just because they do not get you on it and not give you points or take them away...does not mean anything. AND would not prove that they are correct.....because several months ago I was at a MAJOR judging event and the judges completely missed items on a Corvette I had worked on and the owner and I KNEW where incorrect. Because remember...judges are human... and are not prefect....no matter how much some may feel they are.

SO...other than if you post photos of the side of the base by the decal..I can not say much more. And I hope you understand that I am just 'keeping it real'...and I do want the best for you. And knowing that you did not pay for any of these replies and all of them are free...do with any of them as you wish.

DUB

 

Not buying it but thanks for all the comments.

 

It is now obvious that the OP was not really asking "IF" his air cleaner was original, but was telling us they were "original" and if we did not accept that then all of us were wrong. This was an exercise in futility.

 

Sorry but I didn’t mean it that way, choice of words was bad. I will keep an eye out to see if their are any othersloke mine, if not I will have to go with your opinions.

 

Trying to help and was a waste of time.

Still no photo of the side of the base by the decal? Not that it matters any longer.

You will more than likely find many that look like yours...because I get them in my shop form time to time...but I KNOW they were painted with an aerosol paint can.

CONSIDER THIS:

Look at the photo you posted in post #6 that shows the paint on the inside of the air cleaner base and how lightly textured it is...and NO excessive orange peel.

THEN ...look a the photo in POST #7 you posted and look a the top of the snorkel of the air cleaner base and how textured it is.

Knowing that the air cleaner base was hanging on a paint line...tell me how in the heck the texture on the air cleaner by the opening for the carburetor is so smooth...versus...the rough texture of the top of the snorkle which is just inches away from it.

Logic will tell you that this texture you are concerned about is not factory....or at least it does me.

DUB

 

Your right. Thanks