1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

[Roger D.]

Folks:

I'm restoring my 1972 Corvette 350/Auto Coupe. On the passenger side of the air cleaner (the one with air dual inlets) there are a couple of holes that appear to be either drilled or punched from the inside of the air cleaner housing. Has anyone seen this before? Are they supposed to be there? See picture below.

Air_Cleaner.jpg

Thanks in advance,
Roger

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

I have never seen that on another 1972 air cleaner assembly. I can't imagine what purpose they would serve.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

Seeing as the paint in that area appears "not typical of factory production" with regard to gloss, I'm saying that the holes were added after St. Louis.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

I have an original 72 350 auto and there are no holes in it.

[Steve L.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

Looks like someone used the holes for mounting something, maybe an underhood light?

[Roger D.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

Even more puzzling is that the holes appear to be punched or drilled from the inside surface of the air cleaner housing. Well I guess I'll have to figure out a way to cover or fill those holes. Any ideas?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

Well I guess I'll have to figure out a way to cover or fill those holes. Any ideas?

Buy a different air cleaner.

Otherwise find a GOOD welding guy who can use a wire welder to fill the holes. You will also then need to repaint the air cleaner.
By the time you do this it may be less expensive to replace it with a good one and sell yours.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

Roger,

I would be tempted to try JB Weld.

Joe

[Steve L.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

It may have been drilled from the outside. Then whoever mounted whatever, got overzealous
when torquing the screws and pulled the metal out a bit.

I would knock the lip on the holes down then braze the holes shut, then grind down with a dremel to give a smooth appearance then repaint. You want to use a minimum of heat to keep the sheet metal from distorting

Solder might work but it would be weaker. JB weld might also work but you would have to build it up somewhat since only the edge of the hole will not give you much strength.

You could try a sequence of attempts, JB first, if it doesn't work, heat it up with a propane torch and get rid of it and move on to solder. If that doesn't work, soak it up with solder wick and move on to braze or MIG/TIG weld.

Or cover it up with a NCRS sticker.

[Roger D.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

Sorry. Have had some login problems on the NCRS site the past few days. Thanks everyone for your input.

Roger

[Barry U.]

Re: 1972 Corvette 350 Air Cleaner Question

I have an original 72 350 with no holes
I would try JB Weld