Cowl Induction Question

[pcguysam]

I have an '81 Stepside, 350, mild cammed.  Right now I just have a cheap, open air, chrome air cleaner on it.  I have been considering a cowl induction hood and I found one here locally but I was looking at the pictures and thought that the underside looked odd.  I have never seen the underside of one, so I don't know what it's supposed to look like but the supports on this one seems like they would seriously restrict airflow.  The ad says that it is a 2" cowl.  So is it functional or is it just ornamental?  Thanks for everyone's help!

[dsgb610]

I have the same hood, and its designed the same way..
Ive always been curious but I never asked questions because I purchased it at a speed shop. The description on mine says for performance and cooling but the underside looks weird.

[mike357]

These type of hoods are mostly ornamental. They will let hot air out of the engine bay better than a stock hood.

As far as the open air elements, you are getting your air directly off the engine. Therefore it is much hotter. You are getting more air than the stock system, but you are getting much hotter air. My self I would rather run the stock system.

[pcguysam]

Mike, thanks for the clarification and that makes a lot of sense.  The truck had this breather on there when I got it.  I do have a stock breather, but it is pretty rusty and cruddy.  I thought about getting a new one, but I found that for fairly cheap, I can do a Ram Air setup like this one http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/ram_air.htm and get both some forced induction and cool outside air.  I think that is the option that I will end up going with.

I was just wondering about the cowl induction.  I've always seen them around but I figured that they were mostly for 'attitude', which I think they look a bit outdated anyway.

[blazing816]

There is holes on either side of the radiator that you can get from the front of your truck so it is cool (the stock one uses only one side usually). However make sure you use a piece of flew pipe/tube somewhere because of the 'shake' of the engine and attaching it to a stationary piece.

[mike357]

Mike, thanks for the clarification and that makes a lot of sense.  The truck had this breather on there when I got it.  I do have a stock breather, but it is pretty rusty and cruddy.  I thought about getting a new one, but I found that for fairly cheap, I can do a Ram Air setup like this one http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/ram_air.htm and get both some forced induction and cool outside air.  I think that is the option that I will end up going with.

I was just wondering about the cowl induction.  I've always seen them around but I figured that they were mostly for 'attitude', which I think they look a bit outdated anyway.

You can always clean up the old one and repaint it with a rattle can and make it look good again. The ram air in the write up you posted should work well. I like that.

As blazing said, if you go with the stock set up, be sure and use the snorkel tube. Otherwise it defeats the purpose.

[Captkaos]

95% of all Cowl induction hoods are ornamental. 

[HAULIN IT]

Sam, A couple things I'd like to add to this. They used the original shaped inner structure on the cowl hood you pictured...that's why it seems odd/in the way. With some creativity, average tools & skills, that could be made to look/be "more correct". Once mounted & the center point found above the carburetor, a hole approximately 15" would need cut. Through this hole pieces of metal (cut from patterns made) could be slide up on top of the structure & glued in place with metal patch adhesive...making a solid  "pan" sealing the scoop area off. Some fabrication will be needed to connect the structure around the hole for the air cleaner.
Here is a photo of a set-up I helped a friend make. Of course, the fiberglass hood was open so closing it in was easier than the one we are discussing. The air cleaner for this set-up is a large base from a 460 Ford turned around, a 14" top from a Camaro/Chevelle resto parts place & a piece of seal from McMaster-Carr.
 
 
Since you mentioned a ramair set-up...here is a photo of the set-up I made. I have more money in the decals than the actual air cleaner. I made it from an original Oldsmobile air cleaner with 2 snorkels/hoses from the trucks into the original rad.support holes. No reason it can't be done with the original truck air cleaner...I just wanted the "correct" Olds part & to have the area correct for the decal on top. Dirt cheap & cool looks. Lorne

[rich weyand]

I did the same thing with the stock air cleaner and an aluminum dryer vent hose.

[LTZ C20]

Hey Haulin it, is that an olds pickup in your last pic, with the double red snorkels? From what I can see it looks like a truck but with an olds badge?

[HAULIN IT]

Hey Haulin it, is that an olds pickup in your last pic, with the double red snorkels? From what I can see it looks like a truck but with an olds badge?

Yea, They are kinda rare

[LTZ C20]

Wow that's just so cool! Could you show a few pics of the interior trim? I'm guessing it slightly variates from GMC and Chevy. What do they call it? 1/2 ton only?

[Captkaos]

His truck was previously Olds Diesel powered and he swapped in a Olds gasser in its place.  Still a Chevy...

[LTZ C20]

Wow. I love it. I mean it's still just a GM truck but I've never seen one. Even an olds diesel would be pretty sweet. What year is it? Looks 83??

[HAULIN IT]

Ah, Chris...you ruined the fun I was going to lead him on a bit more. Here's a couple interior photos & one more just for fun. For the record our truck was a 4.3 V6 GMC...No Diesel parts here. A note on the air cleaner...Last year @ the Olds Powered Nationals in Norwalk, Oh, a guy is looking around the truck, walks over & says: "I can't believe you have THAT air cleaner on that truck...I've been looking for 2 years for one of those...Do you know how much those are going for in that condition?" My wife told me I wasn't allowed to sell it!  Lorne