If you choose a different air cleaner, you will need to change the valve cover venting system to match the new air filter housing.
Your setup is pulling fresh air into the valve cover by way of the 1" diameter hose on the extension housing. I can not see from the picture, but suspect the PVC valve is at the back of the valve cover pulling vapors out of the engine sending them down the intake at the center ports between the carburetor and head.
If you remove the extension housing, you lose the fresh air hose. You then have to remove the oil fill plug at the front of the valve cover and replace it with a breather and grommet. The engine has to have fresh air in for the PVC to work correctly. Aftermarket chrome valve covers have two holes on top and a PVC hole on the side towards the front. My stock valve cover has one hole on top and PVC on the side. What ever you choose, just be sure to vent the crankcase.
Your set up is probably pretty rare, so why not use it? The air filter element will be a standard size and any decent parts house should be able to match it up.
Joe
Last edited by Joe H; 12/31/2014 4:58 PM.
