69 440 Air Grabber alignment problem

[moparcanuck]

I'm told that all 69 air grabber cars have this alignment problem. The air grabber seal does not line up perfectly with the air filter. It is offset about 1" towards the front resulting in a big ugly mark on the rear of the filter top. I'm thinking of getting the air filter top powder coated to eliminate this.

Has anyone come up with any other solution? Perhaps slicing off the rear of the seal where it comes in contact with the filter top?

 

[Kowal]

I have had a couple of cars with this assembly and have not seen this.

My guess would be to make sure the air cleaner base and lid are correct. As a reminder, the bases are different heights between 383 and 440 cars.

 

[tallhair]

I have had a couple of cars with this assembly and have not seen this.

My guess would be to make sure the air cleaner base and lid are correct. As a reminder, the bases are different heights between 383 and 440 cars.

Bernie is running a 6 BBL

 

[Kowal]

Bernie is running a 6 BBL

Oh. Well then. Not a factory problem for '69 factory stock! Hmmm.

 

[moparcanuck]

This is a pick of the misalignment. My car is a factory air grabber. I had the same problem with my 4 bbl.

 

[HYRDGOON]

I've never known the cause until now because my air grabber came with my car broke in a box but I have an identical mark across the front of my lid.

 

[moparcanuck]

I have a repo seal and was wondering if the repos were the problem.

 

[Meep-Meep]

There should be no fitment issues whether you have a 4 BBL or 6 BBL. The air cleaner ends up in the same place. Looking at all the tolerance stack up possibilities it's not hard to think a misalignment is possible.

I can think of the following to check: Hood to cowl alignment; engine position based on motor mount brackets and mounts; air grabber position on hood and the aforementioned aftermarket seal issue.

 

[moparcanuck]

Everything lines up perfectly. I think the repo seal might be the problem. It may not be large enough.

 

[CudaChick1968]

I had a 6 pack air cleaner lid show up a couple years ago for restoration. It had those same marks on it as yours does Bernie. That customer sent me a few follow up "after" pictures and the work seems to be holding up very well.

 

[paladin06]

Not a problem on my 440 4 bbl car.

 

[moparcanuck]

I had a 6 pack air cleaner lid show up a couple years ago for restoration. It had those same marks on it as yours does Bernie. That customer sent me a few follow up "after" pictures and the work seems to be holding up very well.

Did you powder coat it?

 

[CudaChick1968]

Yes sir. Hemi Orange ...

 

[Meep-Meep]

Everything lines up perfectly. I think the repo seal might be the problem. It may not be large enough.

That's very possible. I suppose I'll find out for myself soon enough.

 

[kiwigtx]

Thinking outside the box here....is it possible that your engine mounts are incorrectly installed, giving your engine a rearward 3/4" which would lead to the scuffing of your air cleaner lid? Certainly is an odd problem to have.

 

[tallhair]

Yes sir. Hemi Orange ...

View attachment 143789

That's sweet CC. What is the charge for that on the oval lids?

- - - Updated - - -

This is a pick of the misalignment. My car is a factory air grabber. I had the same problem with my 4 bbl.

View attachment 142903

I'd take that box out from under there then try it.

Seriously though, is it possible to put the air seal on backwards? I've never had one off and put it back on

 

[moparcanuck]

It's not possible to put it on backwards as the rear of the seal is indented to accommodate the high lip at the rear of the base. I'm going to have it powder coated in Omaha Orange which is the closest to factory colour.

If anyone has an original, can you measure the opening of the soft part of the seal?

 

[CudaChick1968]

That's sweet CC. What is the charge for that on the oval lids? ...

$25 an hour (less your FBBO discount), same as it is for everything else Tallhair! I quote every job individually to be fair to everyone.

 

[moparcanuck]

It's not possible to put it on backwards as the rear of the seal is indented to accommodate the high lip at the rear of the base. I'm going to have it powder coated in Omaha Orange which is the closest to factory colour.

If anyone has an original, can you measure the opening of the soft part of the seal?

View attachment 143809

The repops are 20 1/4 inches.

 

[Funship32]

I asking just 'cause I'm kinda wondering about this problem: How does the seal look at the front of the cleaner? Is it spot on or is it off too?