Hot Rods Vintage air cleaner to later carb

I want to convert my 57 chev 4 barrel air cleaner (4 1/4) opening to a quadrajet carb (5 1/8) opening . I have researched on line but nothing I really think will work. I sure members have done this type of adaptation. Any suggestions welcome.

 

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/14-Inch-Flat-Air-Cleaner-Housing-Base,98217.html

Cut your base opening out and use the center portion of a new base to adapt to modern carb?

 

Make it fit?

Nothing more traditional than making something instead of buying **** from a catalogue.

 

Find a stock air cleaner, man I've tossed out so many! Cut out the bottom ring & weld it to the '57 unit. I always liked how Q jet air cleaners had a ''pinch'' at the front of the adapter ring to keep it from rotating.

 

I’ve made a couple of them……

 

Reminds me I've intended to adapt my original 235 ***embly to later carbs

 

Cut the oil bath stuff out. Use a correct size after market base. Looks better than using a 4 inch spacer. In my opinion. Have one on my coupe now. Find the correct paper filter to fit. May have to try a couple for dia an height

 

I love the top one and the paint work you've done to it. I'm currently in the process of planning my move to adapt that exact one to my Holley 600 vacuum 4bl. I have an old 4bl base im going to adapt to it after i cut the bottom out.

 

I need to hack up one of my oil bath air cleaners to make it fit a 4bl I’m going to be running on my flattie. I was going to take an old 14” aftermarket filter and cut the hole out of it but I like the use OEM base instead.

 

I cut a cheap chrome air cleaner bottom to mount an old air cleaner
Removed the oil bath ****. Took the air cleaner to the parts store and found a paper element.

super Ez

whack and weld

 

Cut the bottom off one that fits the carb and weld to the air cleaner of your choice. Ignore my welding.

I did old 1bbl oil bath to 2bbl paper element conversion.

 

Reproduction 55 bird oil bath for a T pot Holley adapted to a modern Holley.

 

You know it’s amazing how long that they used oil bath air cleaners. I figured after 53 they were to the way side…..who’d a thunk.

 

I took an old Desoto oil bath air cleaner and adapted it to fit a Holley 4 BBL. Here is how I did it;
1. Buy an air cleaner ***embly that fits your carb with a base diameter that is smaller than the air cleaner you are using.
2. Try to get one with a K&N filter that extends 1" or so above the old air cleaner. Mine is 5" if I recall. Discard the lid that comes with the new air cleaner.
3. Cut your existing air cleaner up (that's the fun part)

This part smelled really good as it ignited the old oil impregnated stuffing.

4. Weld in a spacer between the current air cleaner (larger diameter piece) and the new (smaller diameter) air cleaner base. I used wire mesh to allow air flow from under.

5. Cut off the lid from the old air cleaner so it will fit against the new K&N element's upper seal. Long stud (that's what the ladies call me) holds it all together.

6. Finish as desired. I powder coated the body gloss black and chromed the lid. Decal for fun. Breathes air from top and bottom. I considered adding a snorkel and flex tube to the inner fender, but it seems to be breathing just fine without that.

 

Yeah, my ‘59 Chevy PU had one also.