Ok I have read and know about an engine being a huge air pump, what I did the other day has got me wondering, I was out in the shop kinda revving the engine at the carb by hand, I noticed my air cleaner was caving in slightly each time I gunned the engine, well now my thinking is it can't get the air it needs/wants if it's doing that, I know someone will say put a larger breather on it, but it's a 351w under there and I don't have room for that, I have a large one and the dizzy is in the way of it also, the filter is new so no issue there about being stopped up, got any ideas that would work?
http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/k-n/part-type/air-cleaner-tops?tw=K%26N&sw=K%26N%20Air%20Cleaner%20Tops
I've usually only heard of air cleaners doing that when you put the nut on too tight holding the lid closed. Try not tightening the wing nut down like a gorilla and see if it helps. I've actually seen a car get choked out by over-tightening the wing nut. I mean it was on a carb that needed serious rebuilding, but it was kinda crazy, just tightening the wing nut would kill the engine. Maybe though I'm backwards and you are too loose? Dunno video or pic would help.
Try welding some ribs into it for reinforcement, that open of a breather shouldn't have the problems you are describing. Weak sub-par metal would be my opinion.
Maybe just a tiny bit larger, the 14" I have will in no way fit, it hits the dizzy, when I get brakes I will take it to pep boys and check fitament on some, just don't want to go buy one and it not fit and then have to take it back, 20 something miles to the parts house.
What I guess i'm trying to say is, is it getting enough air?, I would like for it to get as much as it needs, don't want to hold it back in any way, and with is sucking the top cover down when I gun it seems to me it could take in more air,...let it flow, let it flow, let it flow! Maybe I'm just overthinking this I don't know, seems if it's sucking that top down it could use more air.
Not all filters are born equal, if it's sucking the top in either you have a crappy filter housing or there is a restriction... Only real way to tell about a filter is connect a vac gauge to the base of the air cleaner(you'll likely have to install a nipple), if there is ANY vac registering when engine is under load, the air filter is a restriction...
how close to the top of the carb is the inside of the air cleaner lid? You may just need a taller element. SPark
Just got back from parts house, no filters there would fit, I can't go any taller, it's a 351w and there is no room for that, they basically have nothing in between 10" and 14" there, I will have to look elsewhere.
If you want to see if a better air cleaner assembly will help, take it for a drive without it. If you notice a difference, then find what you need. Also, what if you turn a 14" Oval air cleaner sideways? Not sure what the oval short side dimension is.
