Is a 1 1/2" Carb spacer too big?

[Busted07]

I have a minor issue with my air cleaner. when i put everything together, i didnt think the air cleaner would interefere with the dizzy, but i was wrong. It is too close for me to put the plug wire boots on the dizzy cap. So i was thinking about getting a carb spacer rather than buying a smaller air cleaner. I measured it, and to get the air cleaner above the dizzy, ill need and inch and a half of clearance. Is that overkill for a street motor? If it isnt overkill, should i get some extra long carb studs, or just cut some all-thread to the length i need?

The picture doesnt show the side view, but you get the idea..

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

What is the engine setup? I would really advise against it unless you're going to be rocking some HIGH RPMs because that much spacer is going to push your power band up into the high revs and kill your bottom end. I used to run a 1 inch and i had installed it with my old Stealth intake and 650 double pumper, and i never realised how it was killing performance until i took it off on a hunch one day...it was literally like day and night, and since i didn't have the heads to take advantage of high RPMs it was a win win situation.

I would say just get a smaller diameter breather. I've also seen valve covers that match that breather lid...those would be sweet but man i'd hate to have to polish them!


Hey as a matter of fact i just remembered, i went from 14.50s to 14.20s when i ditched my spacer, and that's still blowing the tires off.

 

[just4bob50]

If you only need enough space to get the plug wires on just drill a new hole on the lower part of the cleaner about 1/4" or so back. Then get a threaded shaft tack welded to the original hole so that the center hole in the lid can still be used. I have seen this done before. If you do it right you wont be able to tell that anything was done.

 

[Busted07]

The motor is as follows:

Stock block 302 bored & honed to a 306
Eagle forged crank
Eagle rods
TFS 10:1 forged pistons
TFS Track Heat heads
TFS hardened pushrods
TFS Stage II cam
Scorpion 1.6 RR's
Melling high flow oil pump
ARP Hardened oil pump shaft
FRPP timing chain
Edelbrock Air Gap intake
Holley 600 cfm double pumper
MSD billet dizzy
MSD 6AL
BBK shorties
BBK h-pipe
Dynomax race bullets
Stock 3.08 gears for now

As far as the matching valve covers, i think its the same guy that i got the air cleaner from that did those as well. I want to get the TFS tall black valve covers, so if i have to change out the air cleaner, Ill probably get one to match those

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Sounds like a pretty killer setup. I might have opted for a Vic Jr over the Airgap, but the Airgap is a fantastic intake as well. The Stage II goes great with the Vic Jr. You're really gonna want some gears though...carbed cars especially need a matched gear to really maximize the jetting/cam/air flow setup. It should be a pretty fun motor though.

 

[Busted07]

Im still in the learning phases, so im not sure what jets to use and everything yet. i guess i should read this holley book i have laying around. I think i just wwant to get it running first, then deal with the tuning later.. this thing has been off the road for too long