I'm having trouble with large cakes of ice building up on my air filter and puddles of water in the air cleaner. The car is 100% stock but I don't seem to have any mechanisms for heating the the stock air cleaner (long necked closed thingy).
It's a 1967 Chevy Camaro, V8-327 (210hp), 2bbl carb, 2 speed automatic (PowerGlide), California Car with an A.I.R. Emissions Pump (not currently connected with a belt), factory Air Conditioning, and it's being driven in Michigan but this is the first year I've had trouble in the 4 winters I've owned it.
It happens at below freezing temperatures. I'll be driving down the highway and loose power on about half the cylinders or more. Last time I noticed it was the spark plugs closest to the carb (#3, #5) that were fouled while the outer ones (#1 & #7) were like new. And once a couple weeks ago the throttle was stuck open until I stopped the car and let it sit for a couple minutes. But he plugs remain fouled and I nurse it home on half the cylinders and have trouble going up slight hills on the highway.
The only connections to the air cleaner are: One hose that comes I believe from the crankcase, it has a flame arrestor on top of it. And another one hose from the A.I.R. Emissions Pump. There is no large hose (or connections for it) to draw heat from the exhaust manifold. (I know what this would look like on cars of the 70's).
I'm looking for ideas. I already changed the 180 thermostat to 195.
The A.I.R. pump does connect to the exhaust manifold but just through
4 brake line size tubes. This wouldn't be meant as a source of heat for the air cleaner would it? I'd have to replace the A.I.R. pump to find out because it's locked up solid and won't turn.I did remove the clutch fan in recent years and installed a fixed fan (but with blades that bend to reduce air flow at high rpms) if this could be the problem. I've been looking for my clutch fan in jopes it would help. Or I may order a new one. I'm thinking a 2 speed transmission at 65mph with a fixed fan, probably blows a lot of cold air past the carb.
I also bought a new 2bbl carburator over the summer from one of the large Classic Camaro part catalogs. But it looked identical in every way.
Any other ideas? I can't try inverting the air cleaner cover because of the flame arrestor sticking up in the way. I haven't tried one person's idea of putting a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator yet, because I'm afraid it will make a mess when it gets wet.
Would an aftermarket "open" air cleaner help? (Filter sandwhiched between two chrome plates). My local auto part store says it would probably make it worse.
I never had this trouble when I had my 66 Impala, and it had pretty much the same setup with a 2 speed trans, 2bbl carb, factory air cleaner, fixed fan blades, etc.
This is my only car and I need it for work if anyone can help! Thanks!