Hello
Have a question about original air cleaner for a 69 ss,,,,,the only thing i can find thru ground up or opgi is a open element cleaner
the guy that does inspections is telling me that you cant have a cleaner with the element visible,,has to be inclosed.....does anyone out there have there original 396 air cleaner ,,if so could you send a pic,,thanks
anyone ran across this kind of problem ,please talk to me thanks robert

A 325 hp engine has a "standard" looking, closed air cleaner with a chrome lid. The 350 and 375 both use an "open" cleaner.

Hi dave
do you know who carries something like that,groung up didnt or opgi thanks

Try NPD

I don't know if anyone reproduces the 325HP version. I know they didn't a few years ago and a "real" one is very $$$ used. Assuming you have the original Qjet, you may try to use any A body Qjet cleaner that points to the battery (even Camaro). It also had a "heater" hose coming up from the exhaust manifold. BE SURE TO CHECK HEIGHT BEFORE closing hood......... So, Texas is THAT strict on emissions for a '69 model????????

The open style air cleaner should not make any diff. as long as you have a closed PCV system ( vents into the bottom of the air cleaner base ) on your car. :yes:
I could be wrong, but I don't see how the element showing has any effect on the smog test. I'm sure someone from Texas will clear this up.

They Dont Do A Smog Test Here,just For The Safety Inspection???

OE Air cleaner was open. How can he fail it?
Thats like failing a 55 Chevy for not having seat belts.
Who oversees inspections in TX, State PD or MVA?. Id give them a call and pose this problem to them. Tell them that it has a factory "open element" air cleaner and the inspector is questioning it.

I would ask how this makes the car safer. seems like a silly regulation to me. Give this thread some time, some one from TX. will chime in with info.

Had the same problem with my 68 Z/28. I showed him the factory brochure with a pic of the motor. "You could have had this printed up" he said and then "I'm calling DOT!" Fine, call who you want. The next day he passed it.
Have you considered going with antique regestration for your 69? $60.00 for 5 years and no inspection required.

i heard something like that ,are there restriction on where or when i can drive my car if i do something like that,,thanks for the input,,i was going to show him my opgi cat showing original equipment for this car??