Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

[Gregory G.]

I needed a new base for my 1970 L46. I base had the valve cover vent tube broken off. I purchased one from Ebay, but it is not exactly the same. It has two other holes that have rubber pluge in them. My base stamping shows a location for them, but they are not cut out. I have two questions.
1. From what car did the base comefrom that I purchased. and
2. What cars would have the identical base for my 1970 L46

[Joe L.]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

Greg-----

The base that you have is a SERVICE base. I don't know of any PRODUCTION applications that used "plugged" fittings in the base. It's 100% functional but not "correct".

As far as what cars would have an identical base, I would say that would include just about any 1969-70 Chevrolet car with small block and open element air cleaner. The problem is, you're unlikely to find any of these in wrecking yards anymore and there are usually no part numbers stamped on these bases to help identify otherwise used ones.

[Gregory G.]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

Thanks
I guess I will use the service replacement and try to repair the original. Maybe I can remove the tube from the replacement and weld in in the original.
I have one question. Why would the service replacement have plugged tube holes unless some other applications used the holes. I was thinking that maybe the extra tube holes were for some type ov emmisions applications. Air pump ore some recovery needed in CA.

[Joe L.]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

Greg-----

In SERVICE GM (and most other manufacturers, too) try to consolidate parts as much as possible. This is especially true in later SERVICE (i.e. after most folks are happy to just get a part that works and don't care much, at all, if it's exactly like the original). Many of these air cleaner bases were the same as far as the stamped steel portion of the base was concerned. The difference between the myriad of original PRODUCTION units was mainly the number, location, and angle of attachment of the PCV tubes. So, in SERVICE, GM once-upon-a-time offered units which had multiple holes in the base and an "array" of tubes packed unattached and loosely with the base, itself. Instructions in the package called for the installer to attach the tubes as-required to match the original configuration and plug the extra holes. In this way, one SERVICE part number worked for a wide array of applications. GM likes that.

If I recall correctly, these "one-size-fits-all" bases were sold through the Delco parts system where parts pricing tends to be "more competitive" (i.e. cheaper) and the parts tend to be more "generic" to hold the costs down. I don't recall that these were sold through the GM parts system, but they may have been.

[Gregory G.]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

Thanks

[Barry Chappell]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

Question-- I know the later L46 came with a closed air cleaner.
Did the early L46's have an open element air cleaner ?

Barry

[Gregory G.]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

They only mad the L46 in 69 & 70. As far as I know they both had open element AC. Mine is a ~May 70 production date

[Dick W.]

Re: Open Element Air Cleaner base ID

I thought that the service replacement base would work on the L-46, but then again what do I know? If it will not below is what I have done to repair bases

I have repaired several original bases using the tube from the service replacement base. Using a Dremel tool and a small grinding burr cut the welds off the replacement tube. Install the tube into your original base orienting it correctly and them either silver solder or braze the tube into your base. Be very sparing with the brass or silver solder. Dress the weld down and repaint.