[DeTomaso] Dogbone airfilter questions

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

First, there are at least three versions of the 'dogbone' air cleaner made 
in the last 15 years and they are all somewhat different. They were 
originally made for low-powered street rods so an air cleaner would fit under their 
hoods. Next, any alr cleaner needs at least 1/2" above the carb vents (and 
more is better) so air can make the 90 degree turn into them. On some 
dogbones, a 1" spacer ring improved air flow into the engine a bit by raising the 
body up. But that kind of negates the better rear sight-line you need. As you 
found, the small filters are pretty restrictive and adding two on a side 
doesn't completely fix things. Sucking hot air rising off the headers does cut 
power with any air cleaner. Finally, installing a 12-lb aluminum casting 
above the carb will not help handling.
With our shoved-back and lowered engine, I now use that same lightweight 
Moroso offset dirt-track air cleaner base with a 14" paper filter. Another 
option is a large oval air cleaner- a 14" round element is squashed flat in the 
middle so approximately the same size filter is used. Just throw away the 
heavy high-bling "racing" cast aluminum top it comes with and cut a piece of 
sheet aluminum for a top. A 3rd possibility is Spectre's carb-cap with 4" 
connector hoses to remote elements. But pay attention to that 1/2" clearance 
needed over the carb vents. 
My current project- a welded aluminum 'can' that completely encloses the 
carb alá Cobra to keep both heat & dust away, with 4" smooth-wall hoses back 
alongside the trunk tub to big conical K&N filters, will probably be the 
final iteration for us.   Good luck- J Deryke