hood clearance

JLBachs · Jul 23, 2011

I am having trouble with gas boiling in the Edelbrock. When i went to the explorer serp and aftermarket intake, I did not buy a carb spacer because I figured there would be clearance issues. I really want to add that spacer now. To see how many inches (or fractions thereof) I have between the breather and the hood, the most effective thing I've thought of is to go buy a can of play-doh and set it on top of the breather with some wax paper over the top so it doesn't try to stick to the hood; shut, open, measure. My question is, is there a better way of doing this that doesn't involve a grown-up standing in line at the store to buy play-doh? Thanks in advance for any advice. Don't post a huge amount but read a lot and the knowledge out there is humbling.

broncnaz · Jul 23, 2011

Play dough is your best bet to find out how much actual clearance you have. Not real sure on your edelbrock and manifold but clearance is usually very tight with 4v carbs and intakes. Another possibility is that you can just install a thicker gasket there is a felpro one that is 1/4" thick I beleive mr gasket also has 1/4 thick gaskets

BCH BRCO · Jul 23, 2011

Plumber's putty work good if you have some...

Zillacon · Jul 23, 2011

I used my Mequires Clay Bar since it was in the cabinet in the garage. Worked like a charm. LOl

TBS-POPS · Jul 23, 2011

I had a 1" spacer under my edlebrock, a 4" air cleaner on a drop base but also a 2" body lift it that helps. basicly if whet you put on doesnt go above the cowell
deck (flat deck where the vents are under rear of hood) it will fit.

JLBachs · Jul 23, 2011

Thanks to everyone who responded. I guess my plumber's putty had been around to long - there was just a rock in the can. I went ahead and bought the play-doh and endured the commentary from the cashier - it was a lot better than buying k-y jelly to lubricate o-rings I guess. Only 1 1/8 inches from air filter to the hood brace. Guess it's time for a scoop or a body-lift.

miikee73 · Jul 23, 2011

Zillacon said:
I used my Mequires Clay Bar since it was in the cabinet in the garage. Worked like a charm. LOl

Hey,me too

Tuck · Jul 23, 2011

Play-doh has been used to check clearance on retracted landing gear on jet fighters. It's not exactly what the job guide calls for, but you have to do what you have to do. If it's good enough for F-16s, it's good enough for Broncos!!!

BronCowie · Jul 23, 2011

BCH BRCO said:
Plumber's putty work good if you have some...

Yep, this is what I have on hand and used too... don't need any wax paper either.

broncnaz · Jul 23, 2011

They sell 1/2" and 3/4" spacers as well. but I've always had good results with the 1/4" thick gaskets.

Scoop · Jul 23, 2011

If you're embarrassed to go to Toys-R-Us and buy playdough, go Michael's and ask for modeling clay. Wear a scarf and use a French accent and they'll think you're an artist! ;D

broncnaz · Jul 23, 2011

Scoop said:
If you're embarrassed to go to Toys-R-Us and buy playdough, go Michael's and ask for modeling clay. Wear a scarf and use a French accent and they'll think you're an artist! ;D

Yeah then they will know he's gay for sure;D

JLBachs · Jul 23, 2011

I think I'll just try to round up a 1/4" gasket...

El Kabong · Jul 23, 2011

Haha. I guess it's not as bad as buying finger nail polish to lock in the calibration screw for an oven thermostat. There's just no way to look cool while buying nail polish. ;D

miikee73 · Jul 24, 2011

El Kabong said:
Haha. I guess it's not as bad as buying finger nail polish to lock in the calibration screw for an oven thermostat. There's just no way to look cool while buying nail polish. ;D

Especially when you have trouble picking a color.

broncnaz · Jul 24, 2011

haha;D I use clear nail polish as lock tight on my scope mounts. luckily a bottle lasts a long time.

El Kabong · Jul 24, 2011

miikee73 said:
Especially when you have trouble picking a color.

No trouble there, I always buy black. ;D
Most guys use red or blue, so by using an odd color I can tell if someone else has adjusted it since I did. But there is something not right about a 50+ fat white guy buying black nail polish.

Scoop · Jul 24, 2011

El Kabong said:
No trouble there, I always buy black. ;D
Most guys use red or blue, so by using an odd color I can tell if someone else has adjusted it since I did. But there is something not right about a 50+ fat white guy buying black nail polish.

Hey Kabong, you're in California - just another middle-aged Goth. No big deal.

broncoman1972 · Jul 25, 2011

JLBachs said:
Only 1 1/8 inches from air filter to the hood brace. Guess it's time for a scoop or a body-lift.

Before you resort to cutting (I can't believe I said that%)) I purchased 2 air cleaners that solved my problem. 1 I bought for the dropped base and the second was I think a Mr Gasket air cleaner for Corvette's. It had a very flat top with recessed wing nut. I tracked it down because I noticed the biggest interference I had was the wing nut hitting the brace on the hood. I was running a 289 with Performer289 intake, Edelbrock carb with Mr Gasket heat shield/gasket. Worked great for me and kept me from cutting the hood.

JLBachs · Jul 30, 2011

Holy Moly! Decided to go with the Edelbrock 1/2" wood laminate spacer (leaving .625" clearance) and the difference is night and day! Drove between 650 and 700 miles today from Lawrenceville, IL to Panama City Beach, FL and every time I stopped - no matter how short or long the stop - it fired right back up. That spacer is going to save the starter a lot of cranking!

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