Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

[Larry T.]

I am purchasing this air cleaner base to put on my car . It appears to me to be correct for a 1966 big block - L72.

Can anyone offer an opinion on this? It looks the same as the big block air cleaner bases in Noland Adams book (p. 352 and 357) to me, any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Larry

[David L.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

Larry,

Enclosed are 2 photos of my original 1969 repainted 6422188 base (1967-1972 version). Note the indentation just below the tube in the photos. The 1966 427 base does not have this indentation as shown in Noland Adam's book (Pg. 352 and 357). The indentation was added for clearance purposes for the 1967 model year. It appears that you have the correct base.

The 1966 327 base (with a different tube) does not have this indentation as well but the 1967 327 base does have it.

Dave

[William D.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

Looks good to me. Same as 1965 L78.

Bill

[R N.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

Thanks for posting - I'm on the hunt for one for my L-72 too. Nice to have confirmation of the right base from Dave & Bill - thanks.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

There is a very subtle different from 65 to 66. And its documented on this forum that early 327 67 cars carried the 66 327 base over because the tool change was not made in time to start production.

[Larry T.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

Ronald, that is interesting. To this point everything I have heard is that from 1965 to 1966 they are the same. What are the subtle differences?

[R N.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

Hello everyone,

I was very fortunate at Carlisle this year and came upon one of my best find in years..... I found a correct 1965/66 BB air cleaner base for my '66. The photo of the edges of the air cleaner base shows the original on the top and a reproduction on the bottom.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

late 66, not a 65...good find.

[R N.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

late 66, not a 65...good find.

Hello Ron, I thought it a great find too! You always talk about the differences between the 65/66 air cleaner bases, but what are these differences? Inquiring minds want to know. THANK you.

[David L.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

I would also like to know the difference between the 65 and 66 BB air cleaner bases. Is it the direction, shape, or length of the tube?

The base that Kurt found at Carlisle has the tube pointing radially from the center the air cleaner base while the photo of a 1966 L72 base as shown on page 357 of Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book shows the tube just like my 6422188 base (1969 version) as shown in the photo on my July 21, 2012, post. Note that my 1969 base has the additional clearance "indentation".

The 1965 AIM lists part number 6421816 for the 396 (L78) air cleaner assembly while the 1966 AIM lists part number 6423240 as the 427 (L72) air cleaner assembly. I always thought that the difference between the two air cleaner assemblies was the plating of the cover.........black on the 396 and chrome on the 427.

My 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (May 1965) lists GM # 6422188 as the air cleaner base for the 1965 Corvette (396) with 6421816 air cleaner assembly.

More confusion:
According to Chevrolet Parts History GM # 6422188 was replaced with GM # 6423910 in Aug. 1967 which was then replaced by GM # 6422188 in Nov. 1968. Does anyone have a NOS 6423910 base or maybe a photo of one?

Dave

[R N.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

I would also like to know the difference between the 65 and 66 BB air cleaner bases. Is it the direction, shape, or length of the tube?

The base that Kurt found at Carlisle has the tube pointing radially from the center the air cleaner base while the photo of a 1966 L72 base as shown on page 357 of Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book shows the tube just like my 6422188 base (1969 version) as shown in the photo on my July 21, 2012, post. Note that my 1969 base has the additional clearance "indentation".

The 1965 AIM lists part number 6421816 for the 396 (L78) air cleaner assembly while the 1966 AIM lists part number 6423240 as the 427 (L72) air cleaner assembly. I always thought that the difference between the two air cleaner assemblies was the plating of the cover.........black on the 396 and chrome on the 427.

My 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (May 1965) lists GM # 6422188 as the air cleaner base for the 1965 Corvette (396) with 6421816 air cleaner assembly.

More confusion:
According to Chevrolet Parts History GM # 6422188 was replaced with GM # 6423910 in Aug. 1967 which was then replaced by GM # 6422188 in Nov. 1968. Does anyone have a NOS 6423910 base or maybe a photo of one?

Dave

Hello Dave, The tube on my new base is loose, so it most likely was not oriented to the correct position when I took the photo.

[David L.]

Re: Correct L 72 Air Cleaner base - Is this one?

Hello Dave, The tube on my new base is loose, so it most likely was not oriented to the correct position when I took the photo.

Kurt,

When your air cleaner is installed on the carb the tube should be perpendicular to the valve cover.

There were two different factory installed air cleaners installed on 1969 Camaro Z28 models, GM # 6423907 and GM # 6423272. One air cleaner base had the tube perpendicular to the valve cover while the other air cleaner base had the tube pointing to the fire wall end of the valve cover. The 3932336 hose was used with the 6423272 air cleaner and the 3942518 hose was used with the 6423907 air cleaner.

Dave