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I'm using This air cleaner with a intake manifold height of 4.595". It clears the HEI distributor by about a 1/4 of a inch. Piersonple, you'll get more clearance if you re-clock your distributor so that the coil cover is more parallel with the firewall.
I am using 14" diameter base with a 3" filter and have 1.75" from top of lid to bottom of hood and 3/8" from distributor chrome cover. With a Edelbrock performer intake.
To check for height or clearance between an air cleaner lid and the hood: Buy some modeling clay. Place a lump on the air cleaner lid, then close the hood. Next open the hood and inspect the clay lump. The thickness of the clay will represent the clearance between hood/air cleaner.
A std hood 68-72 C3 has the lowest hood of any chevy.
68-72 std 350 hoods are 1.0" lower than all other C3 hoods. 80-82 are same as std 70.
LT-1, BB, and 73-79 hoods are all 1.0" higher. An L88 is 2.0" higher, at least, or more.
C2s are 1.0" higher. So are 70+ Camaros.
You need to run lower than an LT-1 intake, on a 69 with a std hood.
Even then you need a GM 2.0" drop base 14" air cleaner. Most others are 1.0" taller, with less drop.
The Performer 2101 does fit and is your best bet.
Taller ones do not.
Last edited by leigh1322; Dec 20, 2025 at 09:40 PM.
To check heights under the hood, a glob of modeling clay can be handy. For instance to check the distance between the hood and the top of the air cleaner, place a glob of modeling clay on the air cleaner lid and close the hood. Voila! You now know how much clearance.
Similarly for other similar tasks. I was having trouble with interference between the door latch opening and the body mounted stricker pin. Put a gob of putty around the door latch opening and gently closed the door until I felt interference, opened the door to see what was hitting what where.
and it will look much better too.
