'65 Galaxie, air cleaner clearance from carb to hood with RPM intake?

[cjshaker]

I still have the engine out of my car and the hood is off, so I can't measure how much clearance I have for an air cleaner with the Edelbrock RPM intake. I know there are a few guys here who have '65 Galaxies so I was wondering if anybody could measure, or know the clearance from carb air horn to hood? I'd like to get an air cleaner ordered so I have it ready, and I need to know if I can use a 3" element with flat base, or if I need a drop base, and how much of a drop would it need. Even if you have a stock intake, I could figure the extra height of the RPM and get an idea.

[Stangman]

Burning the midnight oil Doug, what’s the matter couldn’t sleep?

[cjshaker]

Took 2 days off and pulling a late nighter on the car. Trying to get the brakes done and ready to bleed. There will be plenty of time for sleep during Drag Week 

[Drew Pojedinec]

Can’t help you on the 65.
I’ve got one of those k&n 14x2 filters with the filter lid. It’s a drop base.
Real handy to get airflow in a low area. Msg me if ya need it.

[cjshaker]

Thanks for the offer, Drew. I considered getting one of those, but this engine won't need lots of airflow. I have a regular 14" open element with a drop base that'll probably work, I just thought there were a few guys on here with '65s that could give me a measurement.

[thatdarncat]

I wish I had known yesterday Doug, I was at my storage building, I could have checked my '66 7 Litre Galaxie for an exact measurement. My '66 7 Litre 428 has the original C6AE-G "S" cast iron intake manifold, I have a 390 GT Holley on it with the 289 "HiPo" style reproduction chrome air cleaner, which is a bit of a drop base if I remember. I don't remember if I have any kind of spacer, if I do no more than 1/2". It clears the hood obviously, but I don't remember how much extra room there is, I'd guess at least 1-2", but just a guess. If you have Jay's intake book it shows the measurements of the intakes, the Performer RPM isn't too much higher than the "S", a little more than an inch higher at the front of the intake, but only a quarter inch higher at the back, and the carb is set back more which should help. Unless someone can get you the measurement I'd probably go with the drop base, my experience has been the taller the element you can run the better.

[AlanCasida]

I ran a Bluethunder intake with a 1" spacer and a dropped base 14" aircleaner on the 428 in my Galaxie and it fit ok.

[cjshaker]

Alan and Kevin, do you have a 3" or 4" element? That's what I'm trying to determine what I can get away with. If I recall correctly, the factory HiPo air cleaner does have a mild drop base, but nothing like most aftermarket drop bases. I'm also using a spacer, a 1/2" job, to help isolate the carb from any engine heat. Doing everything I can to keep heat away from the carb to help stave off vapor lock.

[thatdarncat]

Alan and Kevin, do you have a 3" or 4" element? That's what I'm trying to determine what I can get away with. If I recall correctly, the factory HiPo air cleaner does have a mild drop base, but nothing like most aftermarket drop bases.

You are correct that it's only a mild drop, and I've only got about a 2" filter element on there, similar to the size those repro HiPo air cleaners come with.

[AlanCasida]

I think I was using a 3" element. I was using a Hi-po top with a Moroso dropped based bottom. I don't remember how much it was dropped though.

[Heo]

Dough on my 64 im using an early hi po aircleaner
same as the 289 cobra, it have a shallow drop.
 With a streetmaster and 1 inch spacer a 3 inch filter
 hits the hood

Went out and checked aircleaner, filter base is same
height as carb where the aircleaner seals
or just a tad higher than that

[Gettinther]

I am likely too late to help with this but I just got my 65 Galaxie back together. I have a 390 with the performer 390 intake (not RPM) with a 3/4 in adapter square bore to spread bore. I placed a board across the fenders at the level it meets the hood. I am using a 1-3/4 drop base with a 3 inch element. The tape on the carb is measuring from under the gasket between the adapter and manifold. I believe I would still have a bit of room but not a whole lot. I hope this is of some help and the pictures show up

[cjshaker]

Hmmm, I think it's going to be awful close.
I just ordered this one from Summit last night.. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-9790bp

By the looks of your pictures, I may be a bit too tall. At 1.2", the one I ordered has less of a drop than yours, and the RPM intake is a bit taller I think. I may get away with it if I remove the 1/2" spacer I have for under the carb. Thanks for those pictures.

[Gettinther]

I forgot to mention that the lid of the breather also has a rise in it between 1/2 and 3/4 to where the wing nut is so you will likely be ok look at  the pic of breather top. All the best