1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

[Mike E.]

How do you tell the difference between the one for a small block versus the big block one? Thanks

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Mike,
The BB flange offset is elliptical in shape, while the SB ring flange offset is concentric. The arrows in the first photo below highlight the narrow offset on one end. The center is an original 73-74 454 ring. The last photo is an original L48/L82 ring to show the difference.
Hope this helps!

[Sal C.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

The 454 ring is shorter than the 350 as the carb is closer to the hood

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Great info Sal! I have had a collection of 6-8 of these A/C for years and hadn't heard of the height difference before so I checked them and you are correct. The over-all height is about a 1/4 inch less on the BB and the effective height (from top of the air cleaner to the top of the ring) is about a half inch shorter on the BB.

The 454 ring is shorter than the 350 as the carb is closer to the hood

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Great info Sal! I have had a collection of 6-8 of these A/C for years and hadn't heard of the height difference before so I checked them and you are correct. The over-all height is about a 1/4 inch less on the BB and the effective height (from top of the air cleaner to the top of the ring) is about a half inch shorter on the BB.

Russ,
You saved me an email! I was just about to ask you to measure yours. This info will be great to point out in the revision. BTW, the first two photos in my thread above are from Russ....
Sal,
While we're on this sudject, why the elliptical shape on the 454 rings? Is the distributor mounted up closer to the carb, or is the BB mounted back a little further?
Thanks!

[Sal C.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

I've seen a lot small block rings on big block cars over the years. They fit, but it squashes the hell out of the rubber seal.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

What is the height dimension on the metal part of the ring for a BB car? And what is the going price for a BB one?

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Overall height of the LS4 ring is 1.350 The OAH of the SB ring is 1.725 Going price approx. $250-300. unless you get lucky.

What is the height dimension on the metal part of the ring for a BB car? And what is the going price for a BB one?

[Mike E.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Thanks to you all for the helpful input.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Thanks to you all for the helpful input.

If you like that 73 tidbit, you'll love the revised 73/74 TIMJG that is chock full of data minutia these team members have saved up for years!

[Gary C.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Reviving on old post here but Terry in Perth is doing an NCRS resto on his 73 LS4 and cannot find a LS4 air cleaner flange for love nor money!
It is the one Jimmy describes in Post #2.
Any clues where he can obtain one?
Thanks,
Gary
Perth, West Australia

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Reviving on old post here but Terry in Perth is doing an NCRS resto on his 73 LS4 and cannot find a LS4 air cleaner flange for love nor money!
It is the one Jimmy describes in Post #2.
Any clues where he can obtain one?
Thanks,
Gary
Perth, West Australia

Hi Gary,
Might want to check with Russ who posted above to see if still has any that he might part with. I'm sure he'll see this post. Every now and then one would show up on eBay but I haven't seen any for quite awhile. Just checked and there's someone selling the 454 seal and ring on there now for a lot of $$$$$. You could also check with David Sokolowski who advertises many parts for sale in the Driveline. Be specific with your request, not too many folks know about the differences.
Good luck

[Sal C.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124303877478?hash=item1cf116a566:g:I3oAAOSwW5dfPEE0&vxp=mtr

[Mike E.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Gary,
Sent you an email on a source for one.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1973 air cleaner to hood adapter ring

Thanks for your help Mike, we really appreciate it as old Corvettes parts are hard to get down under!