I am in the process of converting my 1969 cowl induction air cleaner back to an open element air cleaner as my build sheet indicates my car came with an open element and a flat hood. My question, is the actual paper element the same size for both or was the open element filter taller? Also, does anyone know the AC number for the open element air filter? Thank you.

Almost all the Chevy factory open-element air cleaners of that era used the AC A212CW element.
:beers:

Thanks for the reply JohnZ. I put the whole assembly together this weekend using that very air filter, and the top cover touches the airhorns and also would not allow the butterfly for the choke to open. It seems the filter needs to be at least 1/4 of an inch taller?!? There must be others here at TC with open element air cleaners, what are you guys using for a filter? Thanks.

AC212CW. Clears fine.

Thanks Gary. Then either the base (repop from Rick's) or the cover must be wrong. I'll need to check these parts again. Just frustrated as we have a club cruise this weekend. Thanks.

We've found (on open-element Corvettes that also use the A212CW) that there's a significant difference between the original air cleaner lids and some of the repro lids - many of the cheaper repro lids are 3/8"-1/2" lower at the peak than the originals, and hit the bowl vent tubes on Holleys. Paragon has repro lids that are exactly the same as the originals (not cheap, but they're correctly made); they have them in show chrome, original GM "flash" chrome, and black. :thumbsup:

I have the AC A212CW 312H Replacement filter..I have an NOS open element air cleaner but it is not on the car. If you need some detailed measurements and pictures of the air cleaner to determine if the air cleaner is the problem as John suggested it may be let me know

Thanks JohnZ and ChevyThunder. My guess is exactly what you guys have suggested. I believe the chrome lid is a repop and must be "shorter" than the original. As a temporary fix I bought another aftermarket filter that was about 1/16 of an inch wider than the A212CW and added another carb to air cleaner base gasket. It works enough to drive but I'll want a more permanent fix. I'll check on the Paragon repop lids. Thanks again guys.