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| 8 & 10 cyl Bristol cars Type 407 onwards - restoration, repair, maintenance etc |
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10-03-21, 02:15 AM
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David
I love originality and went to a lot of trouble to get my original air cleaner to fit. Could i suggest you try and borrow an original unit and see if there is any way you might get it to fit ( eg machine the top of the inlet manifold or cut out part of the base of the filter canister and raise it which will lower the unit overall ). As I said I know little about the earier V8 cars but a quick look at photos on Google indicates the 408 had a smaller but higher unit than the 410. By chance how thick is the gasket/ block between the carbie and the inlet manifold. I found a very thin but effective one made by Holley which did the job. 
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10-03-21, 03:59 AM
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Peter, thanks but I doubt I can find an original air cleaner to try that. I am in Florida and Bristols are a bit thin on the ground here!
I do take your point that there may be ways to make something original looking fit the car and I may resort to some. However, the engine is not original anyway (it's a 360 from a 1978 Dodge Monaco) and, I have discovered today, it has a 'hotter' performance camshaft fitted. So I am not sure now how much I should interfere with the breathing in trying to make it look original. My main objection to the current air cleaner is noise when opening the throttle. I'll keep working on it. David
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10-03-21, 08:47 AM
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I dont actually know but I am sure the unit would be off a chrysler car of that era. Your engine bay and motor looks very tidy and well presented but the air filter is just not BRISTOL.
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10-03-21, 09:02 AM
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These are 2 I found on Google Search. Could be MK 1 and MK 2 .Some forum member could surely post a picture of their car or have some knowledge.
The demand for original air cleaners and manifolds in the US is very strong as people would pull them off their cars and throw them out. Crazy prices are being paid for Big Block parts.
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10-03-21, 12:23 PM
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Quote:
David
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10-03-21, 09:03 AM
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For want of something better to do was just looking at Dodge Monaco engine bays and the original air filter box on those looks more subdued/period than your current hi-flow arrangement and would certainly be quiet. I suspect it might need some modification to fit but I'd probably start from there if it was me.
Impressed with neatness and cleanliness of engine bay! I also have one of those bling alternators - also inherited! If you're already way ahead of me on the air filter box, apologies.
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10-03-21, 12:25 PM
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Quote:
I wish I could claim credit for the engine bay but it's the work of the previous owner. I will be challenged to keep it looking that good! David
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10-03-21, 01:03 PM
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My guess is that the carbys that fit any mopar LA series or B/RB V8 will have the same top diameter (where the air cleaners sits). The Edelbrock on my 411 (B block 400) has a top outer diameter in just under 127.5 mm, so 5 inches. The flange on which the gasket sits, then the air cleaner, is about 5mm wide. The original Mopar air cleaners probably varied depending on the body type.
The air cleaner on my Bristol 411 is 90mm high, although the bottom is recessed, so the effective height off the top of the carby is 81mm. It looks lower in height than the original one fitted to the 408, but it is also wider, so that might be an illusion. Mine also is also a dual snorkel version like this, whereas I believe the standard 360 air cleaner and the original one on the 408 are single snorkel, but from photos on the web it's clear that you could get a dual snorkel air cleaner for the 360. As it happens, while I was taking measurements I noticed that the air filter on my car is about 4mm too high for the housing (another bodge by the guy who rebuilt my engine). Although, because the filter seals against the lid, too high is better than too low, so long as the bonnet still closes! David, the crucial measurement for you is the height of the threaded post that goes up through the middle of the air cleaner. That determines the maximum height of the air cleaner, less the nut that secures the air cleaner, although the air cleaner lid is typically recessed in the middle. On mine, the post protrudes about 3mm higher that the highest point of the air cleaner (even with my 4mm oversized air filter). It is difficult to measure the distance between the top of the post and the flange on the top of the carby, but I'm sure its possible with a bit of mucking around. That will give you a very good idea of what you have to play with in terms of air cleaner height. Bear in mind, that post can easily be cut shorter, so it might not be as high as it could be on your car. It could have been cut down to suit the current air cleaner. It would be interesting to know the clearance between the top of the post and the bonnet. Of course it's very hard to see, unless you could position a camera in the engine bay to give you a visual while the bonnet is closed. Alternatively perhaps you could tape a small slab of plasticine to the underside of the bonnet to see if you get an imprint from the post.
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10-03-21, 01:22 PM
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Kevin
Thanks. The carb has what seems to be considered 'standard' throat size for a 4 barrel carb here - 5 1/8" or, I calculate, 130mm (Sidenote - I am Brit born of an age when we learned 'imperial' units of measurements, then went Canada and became modernized to the metric system but now I am in the US most of the year and EVERYTHING is back to 'imperial' (except they call it 'US' and have smaller pints and gallons)) The threaded post for the current air cleaner is VERY short as its retaining nut sits within the air cleaner at the bottom!! I like the idea of using plasticine to establish what clearance I have. However, my challenge is not over the centre of the air cleaner or to its rear or sides. If you look at the 3rd pic I posted above, you'll see the front of the current air cleaner will almost touch the bonnet when it's closed. That front edge is about 4.5" / 115mm forward of the center of the threaded post holding down the air cleaner. So a round air cleaner of the same overall height (3" / 76mm) could be a maximum of 9" / 230mm diameter before hitting the bonnet. Anything of larger diameter needs to be lower. Yes, there are air cleaners with recesses so they sit lower on the carb but so far, I haven't found one that will sit low enough to avoid hitting the bonnet and/or not interfere with the throttle linkage and/or electric choke. I'd love to fit a round air cleaner with one or two snorkels but I am beginning to doubt that will be possible. I'll keep working on it..................... David
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10-03-21, 01:26 PM
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David,
I've just looked at some of the photos you posted and your air cleaner sits up quite high above the flange on top of the carby, whereas some original style air cleaners start below the flange because the bottom of the air cleaner is recessed. Hopefully the attached picture of mine will give you an idea of what I mean. I believe there is a good chance a standard Mopar air cleaner for the A (LA) series 360 engine will fit under your bonnet, or should I say hood! If you buy a secondhand one on eBay, if it doesn't fit you can always sell it again on ebay  Kevin
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10-03-21, 02:32 PM
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David,
This one looks like it sits quite snug https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...01-jpg.532225/ . For what it's worth, the height of your carby is the same as mine - 3.250 in. Also bear in mind that the bonnet is higher in the middle than it is at the sides where it meets with wings. If you are prepared to take the plunge and buy a secondhand one on eBay, at least you are the in the right country . If you do find one that fits, you can probably get a replacement post for the centre of the carby. It looks like you could buy a period single snorkle air cleaner for around $100. Kevin
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10-03-21, 11:23 PM
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David
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20-03-21, 11:54 PM
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[quote=Kevin H;10924Alternatively perhaps you could tape a small slab of plasticine to the underside of the bonnet to see if you get an imprint from the post.[/QUOTE]
Kevin, thanks for that idea. I did a variation and made two little columns of plasticene. I put one at the front edge of my new air cleaner and one on the nut on the top. The bonnet pressed them down when closed. This revealed I have 1.25" clearance at the front edge and 1.5" above the nut! So I have room to perhaps fit a larger silenced/snorkel air cleaner if I want. David
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10-03-21, 12:22 PM
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I took a few more pics. It looks like there is some sort of mounting plate below the carburetor. If I can remove it, it may give me an extra 3/8" headroom. I am unfamiliar with US V8 engines but the carburetor itself seems HUGE. It's this one: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-m08600vs As you can see from the side view taken from outside the engine compartment, the existing air cleaner barely fits. I'm really constrained by the height of the big carburetor sat on top of the high intake manifold. David
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