Intake sleeve...

[Paul Workman]

The plastic accordion-like tube is prone to collapsing at WOT, and the solution has been replacing it with the Samco sleeve, installing wire hoops in the folds of the tube to support it, or installing a metal (aluminum) sleeve liner.

With regard to the sleeve, I made one for myself and a couple others, but they are so simple to make that I thought I'd show you what can be done for under $10 and about an hour's time.



The diagram does not have the dimensions of the sheet metal piece, but you can get that with a tape measure (length) and the width (as I recall) is aprox 17", which allows for ample overlap for final adjustment fitting and riveting (one option) or TIG welding, if you prefer.

You want it to be a snug fit. Pete suggests putting the plastic tube in the oven at about 350 degrees for just a few minutes to soften it up, making it easier to fit over the sleeve for a nice tight fit. (I suppose a heat gun would work in a pinch too.)

The key is to run the sleeve under the lip of the filter housing to add support to that flange, and I found that AFTER snugging the hose clamp to secure the hose to the filter housing AND THEN installing a sheet metal screw through the hose clamp down into the metal sleeve, that it more or less permanently fastens the whole shebang at that end, very nicely. (Some black RTV makes for a really nice, semi-permanent seal.)

Also, cut the sleeve a couple inches short of the air horn end of the accordion tubing. This will allow a little flexing to get the hose over the horn.

Procedure: Take the filter housing and hose as a unit and install the hose to the air horn and clamp it down BEFORE fastening the filter box. Otherwise it is sometimes a bitch to try to get the hose to line up.

Just whatcha need to do on rainy day...Build yourself a sleeve.

P.