1972 LS5 air cleaner
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
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1972 LS5 air cleaner
When I bought my car, it had a GM open element air cleaner (like on a LS6/LT1) on it rather than the dual snorkel that is correct for a '72 454. I bought a repo from Eckler's that is made by Classic Headquarters and it doesn't seem to fit. I have interference at the rear with the distributor cover, and it also touches the elbow in the P side valve cover. It seems large and low. Any advice? Is this a poor reproduction or might there be another problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you don't mind having a repo (no problem, unless you are a purist), just dent it where you need to and touch up the paint as needed. The hardware will work just fine, when you get the clearances fixed.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
air cleaner pics
The 1st 2 pictures are the air cleaner that came on the car when I bought it. It looks to be like a LS6 air cleaner and has the AC Delco silkscreen on the top of the lid.
The 2nd 2 pictures are the repo air cleaner from Eckler's. I had to remove the distributor cover because it isn't possible to have both installed at the same time. It seems to sit lower than other pictures of originals I have seen and interferes with the driver side valve cover fitting.
The 2nd 2 pictures are the repo air cleaner from Eckler's. I had to remove the distributor cover because it isn't possible to have both installed at the same time. It seems to sit lower than other pictures of originals I have seen and interferes with the driver side valve cover fitting.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 2
From: Bay Point, CA
I have a '72 454 also and I just checked and it appears from your pictures the brackets that mount the distributer cover are reversed. On mine where the plug wires go through the bracket are closer to the air cleaner (front of the engine), the bolt holes to mount the distributer cover are closer to the distributer. Try reversing the brackets and you may have enough clearence to mount your dual snorkel. Also, if your going all original/stock, your valve covers should be painted the same color as your engine (Chevy red). They were not chrome on 1972 big blocks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 283
From: I'd like to propose a toast... to internal combustion and wind in the face.
Maybe you could try bending the spark-plug wire brackets back a little. They are fairly flexible. I don't know if it will help or not but here's a couple of pics of mine:
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
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diameter
Thanks for the help and the wonderful pictures. It doesn't look like the contours on the lid of the air cleaner are the same between your pictures and my pictures of the repo, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the base is wrong. It almost looks larger though then I look at the air cleaner in relation to the thermostat housing.
Does anyone know the diameter of an original?
Does anyone know the diameter of an original?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
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From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The 1st 2 pictures are the air cleaner that came on the car when I bought it. It looks to be like a LS6 air cleaner and has the AC Delco silkscreen on the top of the lid.
The 2nd 2 pictures are the repo air cleaner from Eckler's. I had to remove the distributor cover because it isn't possible to have both installed at the same time. It seems to sit lower than other pictures of originals I have seen and interferes with the driver side valve cover fitting.
The 2nd 2 pictures are the repo air cleaner from Eckler's. I had to remove the distributor cover because it isn't possible to have both installed at the same time. It seems to sit lower than other pictures of originals I have seen and interferes with the driver side valve cover fitting.
Maybe you have the wrong aircleaner. The cover does not look correct???? Is the manifold and carb stock? Oh - The engine will sound meaner when you open it up with the open air cleaner!
Also, see how your aircleaner covers the water neck, that is way to wide a diameter, I think this cover is definitely not correct!!!
Heres another pic for you.
Last edited by danthony; Jan 11, 2008 at 08:46 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
The 72 air cleaner is made for a 14" filter. That one looks like it was made for a 15" filter. Like maybe 73 and later.
As others have said, the cover does not look right either. There should be a small sharp ridge on the part that rises up.
cc
As others have said, the cover does not look right either. There should be a small sharp ridge on the part that rises up.
cc
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I measured the repo air cleaner element and it is 14". The top of the air cleaner lid is 17", and I was wondering if anyone knew what an original measured at on top.
It is a stock intake and Rochester carb.
It is a stock intake and Rochester carb.
Last edited by shelbyluva; Jan 11, 2008 at 11:03 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
