Early vs late 63 fuel injection air cleaner

[Norris W.]

First the question, then the story. I just spent about half an hour searching the archives which triggered reading several old related off topic posts, but didn't find the answer: What's the difference in latch locations between early and late '63 air cleaners? I've also looked at the picture and description in Noland's book, but the drawing still confuses me. Specifically I need to know which air cleaner for 177XX fuel convertible and measurements to tell the difference.

[Harry S.]

Re: Early vs late 63 fuel injection air cleaner

Norris, with a 177XX VIN I would guess the later version. Also, the latch was moved to make it easier to access. Saying that, if you can get to the latch with no effort and undo it, you probably have the later version. I'll see what I have in my files on the topic.

[Norris W.]

Re: Early vs late 63 fuel injection air cleaner

Thanks Harry. I was sure the topic had been detailed here before, but I can't find it. Noland's book mentioned that it was rotated to make for less interference with the valve cover, but I was thinking that I'd read somewhere that interference with the inner skirt at the top was the issue, and that seem to be a contradiction.

[Harry S.]

Re: Early vs late 63 fuel injection air cleaner

The FI folks are probably still sleeping, I'm sure they will chime-in on this later today.

[Michael H.]

Re: Early vs late 63 fuel injection air cleaner

First the question, then the story. I just spent about half an hour searching the archives which triggered reading several old related off topic posts, but didn't find the answer: What's the difference in latch locations between early and late '63 air cleaners? I've also looked at the picture and description in Noland's book, but the drawing still confuses me. Specifically I need to know which air cleaner for 177XX fuel convertible and measurements to tell the difference.

Norris,

The confusion comes from the info in the Noland Adams book, and later the 63-64 Judging Guide. Noland had it backwards.
The early and late design clamp locations are shown below. (actually, there was a 3rd design but we won't go there)

[John D.]

Re: Early vs late 63 fuel injection air cleaner

Norris, It's very easy to spot an early 63 AC.

Just look at the location of the latch that's closest to the inner fender. The latch should be spot welded to the heavy duty bracket that attaches to the inner fender.
You should only be able to put about 1-1/2 fingers between the inner fender and the center of the retainer/clamp.
On an earlier 63 FI AC you will see that particular bracket is spot welded out on the sheet metal area. For those you can easily put about 4 fingers.

Now for the variation. The earliest 63 FI Air cleaners had their own variation of the S-tube. It was very thick and had a different seam on it. Actually the seam on it was almost identical to the first repro AC that Podell made long ago. Those thick S-tubes are very rare. You can tell the different just by knocking on them.
But you didn't ask that.
Nice photos Hanson. The one of the right is the later style Norris.

To print the photos I right clicked on the pic and saved it. Then went to my photos and printed it. Just right clicking or cliking on the printer at the top of the page won't work. Meanwhile Hanson has posted these pics here several times before. Thanks again Mike.