I would not presume the side intake is any cooler. I might presume the side intake gets the filter more dirty on one side rather than the circular one

 

From a scientific point of view (not a scientist, but my wife is) there is only atmospheric pressure entering your carb. Yes, a clogged filter flows less, so this is for unclogged surface. I think it doesn't have much affect to have an open vs. snorkel, with the snorkel in that area. I believe the closed was more for using pcv and other smog related items.

 

If you're mounting a monte carlo bar, the snorkel air cleaner may not work with it. I know mine didn't when I installed a snorkel air cleaner.

 

Good point on the Monte Carlo bar, wasn't thinking about that.

I think I am going to leave well enough alone for now.

Thanks guys.

 

The snorkel type also makes the intake noises less apparent, better for your everyday cars. The open element vs. a real cooler air location (dont think a snorkel is enough) would only be a bit less efficient until the car is moving enough to move the hot engine air away, as I see it. As engines become more compact and shoehorned into the engine bay I see the need for better locations but for our stuff, its all about which look you want.

 

The snorkel provides a means to route the manifold heat to the intake for faster warm up. That's about it.

 

the snorkel has a couple of jobs from the factory, as noted one is to provide a location for warm air to the carb to help with engine warm up and running. the second, again as noted, is to help silence intake noise.

as long as both the open element air cleaner, and the stock snorkel air cleaner are open to the engine compartment, they will perform about the same, with the slight advantage to the open element air cleaner due to its less restriction, and slightly smoother air flow.

now if you were to run a second snorkel, and run the snorkel openings to the cooler outside air, then the snorkel would be the better way to go.

the point however is pretty much moot for the street though, and any gains are going to be quite small.

 

The snorkel was used, for one reason being, emissions. Best is to direct outside air into the carburetor. That is less restrictively done with two snorkels connected directly to outside air. That setup is hard to beat.

Open element air cleaners are common and let you hear some sound of the air, which is cool too. But it still breathes underhood air, which is warmer.

 

The snorkel has 2 purposes, neither which has anything to do with emissions nor faster warm-ups. Purpose #1 is to route inlet air from a point that is somewhat protected from the elements and away from direct heat. Purpose #2 is to provide a place to attach a stovepipe that collects heat from the exhaust manifold to warm the inlet air to improve cold-weather driveability. A diverter valve is placed in the snorkel that is thermostatically controlled (ambient air temperature, not engine) to route all, part, or no heated air into the inlet stream.

 

I agree with the function, but disagree with some of the purpose.

 

Okay, I will grant you that channeling hot air off the exhaust WILL reduce the amount of fuel enrichment (choke) needed during initial warm-up which DOES result in higher HC emissions so in that respect it DOES have an emissions purpose, IF it has a heat stove.

 

Simply!!!!!
The snorkel type is for "old men"
The open type is for "cool young guys"
Which one are you?!!!

 

I think he nailed it right here...forget emissions, choke operation, heat stoves, etc. I actually LOL on this one. Gotta stop reading this forum at 2:30 in the morning.

 

This set up is hard to beat if you have a car that spends 90% of its time idling, 8% of the time going less than 7mph and the other 2% going 100mph+. The absolute best in a large engine bay with no AC or other stuff to get in its way and a crew to replace it when needed

 

Anyone ever flip the air cleaner lid upside down back in your teenage years to let more air in besides what the snorkel let in? Sounded way cooler and there did seem to be a power increase in some cases. Some snorkels can be restrictive compared to the open element style. The base of the air cleaner shape is important as well as it can help direct airflow into the carb. Most snorkel types aren't designed with performance in mind.

 

Anyone ever flip the air cleaner lid upside down back in your teenage years to let more air in besides what the snorkel let in?

Hahaha I catch myself doing this every time by habit. Not sure it does anything, but it looks and sounds coolirate:

 

http://www.musclecardrive.com/ford/images/427-engine-thunderbolt.jpg[/img]
.

Any relation to the robot on Lost in Space?

 

Hi guys - what is the collected wisdom on the merits of open circular air filters vs one that pulls from a presumably cooler air source.

Asking with an eye on performance.

I see you have a 69.

Here is what I did with my 69 with the hood scope.

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I'm using the lower portion of the factory snorkel with an open element filter. With a carb spacer and an RPM intake the weather stripping seals right up under the hood creating a heat shield from hot engine air and it forces the cleaner assembly to draw outside air from the hood scope.

 

I see you have a 69.

Here is what I did with my 69 with the hood scope.

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I'm using the lower portion of the factory snorkel with an open element filter. With a carb spacer and an RPM intake the weather stripping seals right up under the hood creating a heat shield from hot engine air and it forces the cleaner assembly to draw outside air from the hood scope.

Nice work.

Where did you source the bits? Part #'s etc if I wanted to follow your good work?

Are there rain/water drain holes in the bottom of the lower mount?

 

That looks very nice and actually OEM taste, although it's not. Good job.

 

Thanks, I think I like it better than an my open element before.

Before running an open element i would see the heat rising through the hood scope when idling at a light. Now I don't see any heat escaping, so the setup should be functional as Ford was planing it to be with the pie shape cutouts in the hood under the scope.

The only draw back to this setup is washing or maybe drive for prolonged periods in hard rain as water can and will collect in the snorkel base, if enough got in there you could have issues.

here is a shot looking down

and my old setup