Effect on engine run without air cleaner
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Effect on engine run without air cleaner
Assuming small furry animals and large rocks don't find their way into the carb, what problems may arise from not running an air cleaner?
I just put a BB in my '69 and even with an aftermarket L-88 hood, I have no room for an air cleaner. I've already had the carb mounting surface on the intake milled down as far as possible. From what I can tell, I have about 2" from the surface on the carb where the air cleaner sits up to the hood. This engine is new and in all reality, will be lucky to see 5000 miles before I replace it with something bigger and better. And no, I'm not cutting a hole in the hood.
I just put a BB in my '69 and even with an aftermarket L-88 hood, I have no room for an air cleaner. I've already had the carb mounting surface on the intake milled down as far as possible. From what I can tell, I have about 2" from the surface on the carb where the air cleaner sits up to the hood. This engine is new and in all reality, will be lucky to see 5000 miles before I replace it with something bigger and better. And no, I'm not cutting a hole in the hood.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
there is a lot of particulate floating around in the air and a lot of raod dirt makes it's way under the hood. Think of your engine as a LARGE vacuum cleaner and everything that goes in will pass through your valves into the compression chamber. Lots will burn, some will find it's way between pistons and cylinder bores.
I wouldn't run any engine for long without an air cleaner. I've gotten ovre 200k miles out of several cars through good preventive maintenance.
my $.02
I wouldn't run any engine for long without an air cleaner. I've gotten ovre 200k miles out of several cars through good preventive maintenance.
my $.02
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by bashcraft
... with an aftermarket L-88 hood,...
... I have about 2" from the surface on the carb where the air cleaner sits up to the hood. ....
... I have about 2" from the surface on the carb where the air cleaner sits up to the hood. ....
That should do it. Which intake?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Not sure what intake. It came already polished with the engine. No markings left on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
you can have it in a race car because you'd probably rebuild the engine every couple of races (not talking about quartermile runs though) but on a street engine it will probably shorten its life by two thirds...
i used to have a racing abarth 695 with twin dell'ortos 48 and open ram pipes and they sounded like a philarmonic orchestra...
i used to have a racing abarth 695 with twin dell'ortos 48 and open ram pipes and they sounded like a philarmonic orchestra...
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Find some sort of thin, aftermarket air cleaner and flame arrestor. Keeping the dirt out is important for engine life; keeping the engine bay from catching fire from a carb backfire, is just as important [or maybe, MORE important]. How much distance is there between the highest point on the carb (not including the stud) and the underside of the hood?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Without the stud, the front vent tube is closest, probably 1/2"-5/8" from the hood. I'm using a Barry Grant Race Demon so there is no choke or air horn.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I am always cleaning dirt, grit and small sandlike stuff off my intake and I only drive on good roads, because for the most part I don't even have to be driving it 
.
The engine bay is open to the road and all the dust, dirt and crap that is on the road gets flung up under the hood, I wouldn't drive mine for five minutes without an air cleaner
. The engine bay is open to the road and all the dust, dirt and crap that is on the road gets flung up under the hood, I wouldn't drive mine for five minutes without an air cleaner
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
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Nut clears L-88 hood by 3/4"....
If you run without an air cleaner,you may as well just pizz in your carb....
Rich
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
If you had built the engine intending to not run an air cleaner, you would have used chrome-faced rings. If you did not, then you can get to 5k-10k miles before you start seeing the affects. But that depends on how dusty it is where you live. Mostly compression going away and maybe some smoking. You'd need more frequent oil changes. Not something I'd do to an engine if I could avoid it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Provo Utah
I ran into the same issue, but i don't have a BB hood. So, while i wait to get a BB hood i temporally use an edelbrock filter. It is soft so in case the engine torques it wont crack the hood. I took a pair of wire clippers and cut about 1/4 inch off the bottom of the metal casing for extra clearance. It costs about $20 at Autozone with replacement filters for $10. Not sure if even this will fit, but it is the lowest profile filter I have been able to find.
Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: La porte Texas
73' 454
I am using an old Holley street dominator single plane port matched w/3310 ( 780) holley , 1 1/4 drop base , Xtreme lid. It all fits under stock 73' hood w/ 1/2" clearance . I did remove the choke tower and shorten the bowl vents on the carb.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
From: westmoreland N.H.
Assuming small furry animals and large rocks don't find their way into the carb, what problems may arise from not running an air cleaner?
I just put a BB in my '69 and even with an aftermarket L-88 hood, I have no room for an air cleaner. I've already had the carb mounting surface on the intake milled down as far as possible. From what I can tell, I have about 2" from the surface on the carb where the air cleaner sits up to the hood. This engine is new and in all reality, will be lucky to see 5000 miles before I replace it with something bigger and better. And no, I'm not cutting a hole in the hood.
I just put a BB in my '69 and even with an aftermarket L-88 hood, I have no room for an air cleaner. I've already had the carb mounting surface on the intake milled down as far as possible. From what I can tell, I have about 2" from the surface on the carb where the air cleaner sits up to the hood. This engine is new and in all reality, will be lucky to see 5000 miles before I replace it with something bigger and better. And no, I'm not cutting a hole in the hood.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32,519
Likes: 1
From: central America
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I ran into the same issue, but i don't have a BB hood. So, while i wait to get a BB hood i temporally use an edelbrock filter. It is soft so in case the engine torques it wont crack the hood. I took a pair of wire clippers and cut about 1/4 inch off the bottom of the metal casing for extra clearance. It costs about $20 at Autozone with replacement filters for $10. Not sure if even this will fit, but it is the lowest profile filter I have been able to find.
trw