GM open element air cleaner with a chrome base?

[VintageMusclecar]

Did GM ever offer such a thing?

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/283498-Chromeopenelementbase1.jpg

(I'm guessing "no", just wanted to be sure)

Eric

[VintageMusclecar]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/283500-Chromeopenelementbase2.jpg

[MosportGreen66]

for what its worth Eric... with that rat '67 Malibu project car I had for a little bit, came a Moroso unit near identical to that. It was black, however.

[427king]

Ive had 2 L78s with that air cleaner one had a silkscreened top on it and factory element.Cant verify but it may be possible??

[VintageMusclecar]

It's definitely an OE GM unit and has the silkscreen on the bottom of the lid, but the chrome base is throwing me off...I've only seen them painted black. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Can't place the breather tube either.

Eric

[3macs1]

Hi Eric:
I am not much help either other than I took an air cleaner identical to that off a unaltered small block 72 corvette probally 25 years ago.Like you I thought the base was not GM but now after seeing yours I am not sure. I know I still have the lid with the GM marking , wing nut and the chrome tube somewhere but think I tossed the bottom thinking it was not GM. The more I compare that base you posted to a black GM one the more I think it is GM just a matter did someone chrome it or did the factory do it.
take care
Joe

[VintageMusclecar]

Joe;

The owner of the air cleaner was/is under the impresson that it came off of a `70 LT-1 `Vette, so maybe you're not too far off? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Did yours also have the dimples to clear the needle&seat adjusters on a Holley carb like this one?

Eric

[3macs1]

Hi Eric:
I honestly cannot remember but the car had a 4spd muncie and I am positive a 780 holley factory if that is possible in 72??
I am not up on the small blocks
take care
Joe

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
The owner of the air cleaner was/is under the impresson that it came off of a `70 LT-1 `Vette, so maybe you're not too far off?

[/ QUOTE ]

Corvette guys are funny. (No disrespect; I used to be one http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif ) I've seen this done a number of times. They (we) just didn't like that Black rim around the bottom of the air cleaner. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Could it be a factory piece? Who knows; it's this old "always & never" deal again, but my money would go on it being a day-2/dress-up project. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[John Brown]

I think it's aftermarket too. I circled a part on the attached picture that makes me think that. It is shaped like the areas some aftermarket air filters hook a hose to suck up oil fumes from the valve cover vents.

[WILMASBOYL78]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Eric:
I honestly cannot remember but the car had a 4spd muncie and I am positive a 780 holley factory if that is possible in 72??
I am not up on the small blocks
take care
Joe

[/ QUOTE ]

Mac, wasn't 1972 the last year for the LT-1 engine in the Vette and Camaro..?? so a 780 Holley would have been the carb...

wilma

[427king]

Eric, Its possible that the base and fittings got chromed by someone after the fact. That end fitting looks like a small block rear block fitting

[VintageMusclecar]

OK, for comparisons sake, here is another OE open element air cleaner which belongs to the same person the mystery chrome one does.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/283668-Openelementaircleanerblackbase1.jpg

It appears to me to have essentially the same shape (dimples & whatnot) as the mystery chrome one.

The chrome on the base of the 1st air cleaner looks a LOT like the cheap flash-chrome that GM used on the lids and valve covers of the day.

[VintageMusclecar]

(Close-up of the air filter element...just because)

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/283669-Openelementaircleanerblackbase2.jpg