Another what is this and please help

afflora · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 07:54 AM

Picture 1 What is this? Where does this go to? Does it need a hose on it and where does that hose connect?

Picture 3 This is at the air intake section of the SPICA air filter. Are these two pipes supposed to be connected with a air flow hose?

Thanks

**papajam** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 11:50 AM

Pic #1 is the hot air intake for the air cleaner (aka TAC - Thermostatic Air Cleaner). It provides warm air to the intake during warmup. A very brittle paper or metal flexible hose connects this fitting to a like fitting on a sheet metal 'stove' over the exhaust manifold. The hose is secured to the cam cover with the plastic pieces, at least the righside one of yours is broken, that are riveted to the cam cover.

Can't quite make out what pic #3 is. Can you zoom out a bit?

Farace · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 11:59 AM

Jim, I think what he's pointing out is that the cold air intake to the air cleaner isn't connected to the cold air duct from the front of the car, and he's wondering if they should be. This is where a flexible plastic hose would be on my car, but my Spica canister has a different intake without the hot-air bits and long horn.

**papajam** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 12:16 PM

Ah, HAH! Thanks Bob. I see it now. I did not recall a hose being here nor was there a hose listed in the air cleaner section of the parts manual. It looks like though that the snorkel alignment is off (it's too low). Could be the result of the front air cleaner support strap which to me just doesn't look quite right.

**ossodiseppia** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 12:47 PM

I agree. Get some OE type straps and new hoses for the air cleaner. That should make things line up better.

Farace · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 12:49 PM

I hadn't noticed it but you're right, that strap looks kinda home-brew.

**Roadtrip** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 01:33 PM

The later SPICA models had the hot air intake with the metal snorkle out the front of the air cleaner. If you're a stickler about originality you can just replace the flexible hose to the exhaust manifold and re-unite the intake duct. If it were me, and I didn't live in a state where the emissions Nazis were critical about such things, I'd ditch the whole hot air intake mess and just run a flexible duct from the grill intake to the airbox. . . . like the '74 and earlier cars.

BTW, that's about the scaggiest airbox I've seen in a long time. Looks like somebody tried to paint it black . . . overtop the grease. Need to remove the SPICA nameplate, wash, sand and repaint that thing machine gray again. ACE Hardware "Machine Gray" paint is very close to the original. Tower paint also can make you a spray can with the original color, but that's about $20 vs. $4.

OEM airbox straps are available from IAP. Those top straps are very important. You don't want the throttle bore hoses taking the brunt of holding the airbox in place. They just can't do it and survive very long. The makeshift strap in there now looks too long.

afflora · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 01:40 PM

Thanks for all the comments. Yes I will agree with the comment that it is the scaggiest airbox I have seen too. However, I only bought the car two weeks ago and there are a lot of things that need to be done to bring it up to scratch. We will slowly work through them until we have it all looking right. Actually bought the car for my 16 year old boy as his first car. Wish I had had a DAD like me!!!!!!!

claykilla · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 02:04 PM

Hang in there Dad and make sure your 16 yr old keeps his hands dirty too! he'll learn alot more that way and develope appreciation for the work he's invested and maybe even a little respect for you too! Your right to take care of mechanical concerns first and deal with the cometics when possible.
Best Regards,
Paul

afflora · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 03:43 PM

I have had a look for the sheet metal "stove" near the exhaust manifold. I don't see anywhere that I could connect a pipe there. I see the brakets that are broken but nothing to give me any indication. If someone has a photo of what I am looking for and where that would be greatly appreciated.

**Roadtrip** · #11 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 04:03 PM

It's obvious that the stove has been broken off or earlier year exhaust manifolds have been fitted. I'd forget it and just run a cold air hose to the airbox, or buy an 74 or earlier airbox and install that.

afflora · #12 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the reply John. If I ran a cold air hose to the airbox where would it go from. The air intake in the front? Any other suggestions - please
Thanks
Gerry McGahan
77 Spider

#13 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 05:25 PM

if Texas exempts cars more than 25 years old from emission inspection, don't worry about the "stove" and preheat, treat it like a earlier Spica, simplier and still clean, just my 2 cents worth

GTD · #14 (**permalink**) 11-05-2004, 05:44 PM

Gerry
Here's a pic of the stovebox. The tube in the center would connect to the flex hose, cross over the engine and connect to the airbox.

afflora · #15 (**permalink**) 11-06-2004, 07:43 AM

Thanks to all who responded. I think that may be later on I might get a different airbox. Otherwise it can just sit like that for right now. The car does run ok and that what counts. Will it hurt anything as it is right now. Also, I do have to get the airbox off to get the corret hoses on the underneath. They are too long so that was why the cold air intake and the airbox are not aligned.
Once again Theansk and I know that there will be a lot of "stupid" questions" posted by me. Hope no-one take offense.

Gerry McGahan
77 Spider