Early GTO Factory Air Cleaners

[gto19 ?]

Here is a 1967 gto HO air cleaner. I’m pretty sure it’s a one year only air cleaner.the base is also different from the Chevrolet base. This air cleaner was not used on the California cars .

[60sStuff]

Moving on to the Optional 64-66 GTO Tri-Power (3/2 BBL.).
There were two types of air cleaners used.

The standard (sold new “out” of California) air cleaners without the tubes/fitting on the bottom of the 3 bases (shown on the ‘64 photo).

The 3/2 air cleaners used from mid-year ‘64 through 1966 that were required on cars sold “New in California” (option 614/616) that had a single tube on the outer air cleaner base and a 3 way fitting on the center base. These are shown on the 65,66 photos that were part of the C/C “closed crankcase” system that consisted of short hoses leading to a 90 degree steel tube (64-65) and a molded hose (66) that lead to the LH valve cover.


The last two photos show the C/C center carb base.
The ’64-‘65 base has a smaller opening for the small center carb, plus the 3 way fitting is tilted down.
The ‘66 base has the larger opening for the larger Rochester carb. The 3 way fitting is now straight out from the base.

[60sStuff]

Some of my NOS inventory on these rare California air cleaners.
Some were packaged with the first design foam filter. Others have the third design wire mesh (no solder) paper filter.
A few were packaged with the flame arrester screen.

[69M22Z]

Wow!! Cool!!

[muscle_collector]

nice. you should post that on the performance years/ames pontiac forum.

[napa68]

Great parts and info as always Chris!

[60sStuff]

Below are the various types of Filters and Screens used on the 64-66 Tri-Power equipped GTO’s.

The OEM filter off the assembly line was a dark gray polyurethane foam that was supported by a round brass mesh screen.
I show the 3 Original support screens, plus 3 flame arresters.
A letter from Pontiac was sent out to the owners of 1966 GTO’s that had the A.I.R. (Smog) systems on their cars.
These cars had a tendency to have an engine backfire that may cause an under hood fire.
The dealer modification was a simple brass screen (flame arrester) that laid on top of the bottom base. This flame arrester is shown above in the MPC.
The dealers automatically fitted this flat screen on “all“ Tri-Power models whenever these cars came in for service as an extra precaution.

These foam filters have been reproduced as shown on the car.

[60sStuff]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

nice. you should post that on the performance years/ames pontiac forum.

I’m a member over on the PY.
Nice forum, but those guys really don’t appreciate items like OEM air cleaners.
They tend to be more interested in non Original things such as LED lights in their dash board.

Not worth the time.

Thanks for that suggestion anyway.