What was the factory height? was it 2 inch?

I looked at Jose’s 65 the other day.  He has the 2” filter on a 5.0 with 66 style motor mounts and the generic ebay aluminum intake manifold (same as Edelbrock Performer) with a Summit 500 carb.

It looked like, relating where the top of the air cleaner was fitting against his export brace, that there MIGHT be room for the 3” filter to clear.

One could experiment by taking a couple of pieces of 2x4 wood and stacking them to height of 3”, then placing the cobra lid on top to see if it clears the hood. I use my grandson’s Play-Doh for checking clearances. The front edge of the cobra hood is where it is tightest against the hood.

On my 66, with the 351/427 engine and taller Stealth intake, I am running the 1.8” filter but had to cut the riser off the bottom of the air filter base to get it to fit. So, the bottom is nothing but a flat plate of aluminum 1/8” thick. Then, that mod requires cutting clearance holes for the float adjustments on the Holley carb. Then I used some other parts to cover those holes inside the air cleaner.  I also welded up a custom hold down clamp to hold the base tight to the carb. The clamp has a captured bolt with integral lever wrench on the top so no tools are required.  The bolt is captured so there is no way it could come loose and get ingested into the carb.

In my opinion, if you have room to run the 3” filter, it sure improves the looks of the cobra air cleaner.

My original oval paper filter is 1.75" as is the K&N.
After doing the plasticene clearance test I find that I cant go with anything taller.
 My air filter base is stamped metal and I had to add a piece of split tubing on the air horn flange to keep it from contacting the float adjusters and the top of the auto choke, it was just enough to get that bit of clearance.
 The rear of the filter is in contact with the x port brace. Some day I might  clearance the brace but that task is not not even on the horizon.
 Thanks for your input Steve.

Last edited by Rudi (9/08/2022 10:33 AM)

MS wrote:

I just saw on summit the price of the 1.81” and the 3” cobra K&N filters are $149.99 now.

Side note. Cobra air cleaners do not like Edelbrock carbs with electric chokes if you have to trim the riser off of the base to get hood clearance.  The choke sits up too high.

 
Depends on the type of base, it seems there are more than one manufacturer.
The one I have is stamped metal and has a riser flange and a slight 1/4” drop for the filter.
Using a thin horn gasket my base just touches the two float adjusters and electric choke top. Using  the split polyurethane tubing on the flange with no air horn gasket the filter base just clears everything.

MS wrote:

A few have recently asked me about Cobra air filter elements. I have purchased both of these from Summit. Posting it here so all who need the info can see it.


E-1963 is the 3” tall K&N Cobra filter element. $148

E-1960 is the 1.8” tall version $88

Who had a 2 inch Filter and part number?
 

Last edited by BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA (9/10/2022 12:29 AM)

BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA wrote:

MS wrote:

I looked at Jose’s 65 the other day. He has the 2” filter on a 5.0 with 66 style motor mounts and the generic ebay aluminum intake manifold (same as Edelbrock Performer) with a Summit 500 carb.

It looked like, relating where the top of the air cleaner was fitting against his export brace, that there MIGHT be room for the 3” filter to clear.

One could experiment by taking a couple of pieces of 2x4 wood and stacking them to height of 3”, then placing the cobra lid on top to see if it clears the hood. I use my grandson’s Play-Doh for checking clearances. The front edge of the cobra hood is where it is tightest against the hood.

On my 66, with the 351/427 engine and taller Stealth intake, I am running the 1.8” filter but had to cut the riser off the bottom of the air filter base to get it to fit. So, the bottom is nothing but a flat plate of aluminum 1/8” thick. Then, that mod requires cutting clearance holes for the float adjustments on the Holley carb. Then I used some other parts to cover those holes inside the air cleaner. I also welded up a custom hold down clamp to hold the base tight to the carb. The clamp has a captured bolt with integral lever wrench on the top so no tools are required. The bolt is captured so there is no way it could come loose and get ingested into the carb.

In my opinion, if you have room to run the 3” filter, it sure improves the looks of the cobra air cleaner.

Where did Jose get the 2 inch filter from?
 

I use the term “2” filter” to say it is the smaller of the two.  It covers 1-3/4, 1.81 and 2”.  You can look up various manufacturers to see what the have.   I think Jose’s might be smaller than 2”.  I did not measure it.

So are you running a PCV on the rear passenger cover and connecting into the filter base?   

Then a breather on the front drivers side valve cover?
 

Steve69 wrote:

So are you running a PCV on the rear passenger cover and connecting into the filter base?   

Then a breather on the front drivers side valve cover?
 

 
Both my cars run a closed pcv system. Pcv valve on passenger side.  I drilled and tapped the aluminum air cleaner base in front of the carb for 3/8” npt fitting. I installed a brass fitting with 3/8” threads, 90 degree with 5/8” hose barb fitting.  A 5/8” hose connects that to a closed type breather on the driver valve cover.
Here are some pics for info and ideas.

Steve69 wrote:

Nice!  Thanks for the pics!  Gives me some ideas when I install my cobra air cleaner.  Im running a closed system on mine too.  Seemed like when I had the open I was receiving extra fumes in the car with the vented system and didn't like that. 

I also thought I  had more smells in car.
 

A bigger air filter allows the engine to reach its full potential (horsepower).  However, if a 14” round, 2” high filter is the proper size for the engine (based on cubic-inches and RPM range), installing a 3” high version is not going to increase horsepower.  Unless the existing filter is restricting the air flow required by the engine, a larger one isn’t going to increase HP.   

Are you sure MS, I seem to remember back in the day,
Yellow plug wires 5HP
Chrome Air Cleaner 5HP
Glass pack muffler 10HP
Yellow traction/slapped bars 10HP
Remove power steering at least 10HP
I can’t believe the stupid things I did as a kid to some nice cars thinking I was increasing performance.

Various oil additives and Roush stickers on the bumpers and windows, good for at least 20hp.