1970 Motor Replacement

[Bill S.]

I am planning on putting a 350 cu.in. GM crate motor (330HP) in a 1970 Vette.
It has the Votec heads with a Edelbrock intake and carb.
Will I have a problem with air cleaner / hood clearance?
If so what low profile air cleaner shall I use?
Thanks
Bill

[Jim T.]

Re: 1970 Motor Replacement

Bill I put a ZZ1 crate engine in my 1970 Corvette several years ago. The ZZ1 crate engine came with a high rise type aluminum intake very similiar to the original LT-1. I am using a Holley 650 double pumper. I did not use my 70's original dual snorkel air cleaner.
I bought from GM a drop down base open element air cleaner. I do not have hood clearance problems with this air cleaner.
I wanted to use my Holley 650 6210 double pumper spread bore using a aluminum adapter to the ZZ1's square bore intake. Using the drop down open element air cleaner there was not enough clearance using the added height of the adapter.
If I could scan a picture in I would show you a picture of installing my crate engine into the engine bay without removing the hood and connected it to my turbo 400. Left the R12 in the air conditioning system and kept the system intact.
If the Edelbrock intake is not a high riser type and using a drop down style air cleaner you should have no hood clearance problem.
Great engine choice, the extra engine HP should be enjoyable.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Motor Replacement

I am planning on putting a 350 cu.in. GM crate motor (330HP) in a 1970 Vette.
It has the Votec heads with a Edelbrock intake and carb.
Will I have a problem with air cleaner / hood clearance?
If so what low profile air cleaner shall I use?
Thanks
Bill

Bill-----


As far as I know, the GM 330 hp crate engine is not supplied by GM in any of the available versions with an Edelbrock manifold. So, I assume that you're talking about a base 330 hp engine with the Edelbrock manifold subsequently installed. If so and the manifold you're talking about is an Edelbrock Performer Vortec manifold, you should have no problem with hood clearance. However, if your 1970 happens to be equipped with a closed element type air cleaner, then I'm not so sure. You'd have to try it to find out. However, if it doesn't work, then all you need to do is to install a reproduction of the GM open element air cleaner which was also used for the 1970 model year. That should clear with no problem. I can tell you for certain that Performer manifolds with stock 66-72 open element air cleaners and Q-Jet carburetors will fit under stock, small block 1968-72 hoods.

One other caveat: the Edelbrock carbs are, basically, a version of the Carter AFB. These carbs were never used on any Corvette after 1965. So, I don't know if any 1970 style air cleaner base will fit that carb. However, you should be able to obtain an aftermarket-type, low profile air cleaner that will accommodate both the carb and hood clearance requirements. There are PLENTY of choices.