Is it possible to latch bottom rear air box clamp?

[LeeH]

I just replaced all four of my hood/deck shocks. Not too hard... in the process I removed the air box lid. The bottom rear clamp was not fastened. Once in place I couldn't even touch it! Is there a secret door from the interior or are all the 3.2s in the world running with three clamps clamped?

[makaio]

I have only changed my air cleaner once on my 3.2, and I remember it giving me a little trouble, but not that much. Of course my A/C is removed, and that may be why it wasn't that hard.

[Eric Coffey]

It's a bit hard to reach, and must be done completely by feel, but you can get it with a little practice/patience (asuming you don't have super-huge hands). As a side note, it is a bit easier if you are changing the oil at the same time as air filter, and can put the air box cover back on before screwing on the new oil filter.

[derkpitt]

Use the FORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan Owens]

Lee,

Unless you have magilla gorilla hands you can slide your hand on the right side just under the snorkel on the air box and reach the clamp. It is all by feel though and not much room. If you do have exceptionally large hands and arms you can reach around over the left side of the airbox but your arms need to be very long.

[RickM]

I cannot reach in there. I.m going to have to train my 6 yo daughter to do it.

[Jeff]

Lee, Spray your forearm with WD-40 (making sure not to get it on your fingers) and shove your arm between the airbox and the hinge and once you get the clip in place, pull hard. Don't stop no matter how bad it hurts or how bad you are bleeding, if you stop you get to do it all over again.

You know, air filters are over rated anyway, just like we need fiber our engines need fiber too. Leave the thing off.

[Wil Ferch]

I kill two birds with one stone...
Cut the air box so it looks like a "Cup" box...by not just drilling holes in it, but by cutting the front half completely off except for a 1" wide band that holds the filter in-place.
Now you've got a freer-flowing air box ( slight effect), and much more maintenance access to the right side of the engine...PLUS ...you can now actually see the four clamps that hold the cover in place. Getting to them now is much easier.
---Wil Ferch

[LeeH]

Originally posted by C U L8R
Lee, Spray your forearm with WD-40 (making sure not to get it on your fingers) and shove your arm between the airbox and the hinge and once you get the clip in place, pull hard. Don't stop no matter how bad it hurts or how bad you are bleeding, if you stop you get to do it all over again.

Hey! I tried that exact method last night. The stitches come out in two weeks!

[RickC]

I seem to be able to clip it with no problem, though my arms/hands are smallish and I've never tried it with the A/C compressor in place.

Having just done it a few days ago, I remember that doing it sight unseen sometimes makes the "attach" end switch places with the "snap" end. Frustrates you to find you've been trying to attach the wrong end. But then you realize you just need to switch the rotation of one piece of metal for the other (without seeing either one).

Hard to describe, but know that both pieces of metal seem to swing through 180 degrees of rotation and that they "swap ends" pretty easily. In the dark, they don't feel much different, so play with them to decide which is which.

[KTL]

I agree with what RickC is saying.

I think some people are trying to latch the wrong part of the clip to the box. This is entirely understandable since you can't actually see what you're doing.

If you hook the latch, are trying to pull it closed and it takes considerable effort to get the latch to even move? I think you've got the wrong end of the latch hooked on the box tab.

This airbox clip dilemma that people have always cracks me up. It's one of the few things that puts my monkey arms to good use!

[LeeH]

I'm confident that if I could touch it, I could latch it. So far, I can't even touch it! I like the open air filter idea. I wonder where I could get an extra air box lid to experiment with.

[dfink]

Has anyone ever tried taking a piece of wire with a U bent on one end and looping the part of the clip you pull to tighten. I seem to able to get the latch part over but then can't get my finger to bend the right way to pull the latch closed. Oh yeah and don't forget to remove a couple inches of muscle tissue before starting.

[NY65912]

I just went through removing the entire air box for shock replacement, it was easier to change the shocks than replace the air box. But with practice you get better and start developing a muscle memory. It's a good thing that I've got long thin feminine arms and wrists and hands and fingers.....oh wait...I mean you can get it if you try.

[Ned nyna 11]

Lee,
The bigger wire loop is the part that catches, the smaller one is the part to pull. Put a tie wrap around the small loop and loop it so that you can reach it to pull it. Of course bare arms are needed! You might even put a second tie wrap on the first, chain style for better access.
Ned Monaghan

[carreradpt]

I used a tool with a small hook at the end from sears. I get the clip in the right position before installing it and slide my hand under the box and hook it with the end of the tool and pull. Works great and no stitches.

[Paul491]

There's a lot of good advise on this thread. Hopefully, I can add a little more. It’s usually a good idea to have all the clips positioned correctly and ready snap into their locked position. 'Sandwiching' the air filter between the air box and cover, hold the air box cover securely and make sure it is seated properly with your right. Holding the assembly firmly with your left hand, slide your (relaxed) bare right arm past the air horn inlet. Picturing in your mind what your eyes can't see, latch that baby... After many years working on Learjets, I've learned to first carefully index the mating pieces and as a rule go after the most difficult fastener first. In the case of the air cover latch, once you get the forward lower clip, the rest are a breeze. I am 6'-4" and weigh in at 260lbs. If I can do it, I'm sure you can too!

It's a good idea to develop a 'knack' for this operation as it is very important to remove and check the filter and blow it out with compressed air at least every 3,000 miles during your routine oil changes to keep your engine breathing freely. If you allow your air filter to 'clog up', it will affect performance. The resulting dust and debits ingested is your engine's worst enemy... Regular oil changes and air filter inspection/cleanings will greatly increase the longevity of any engine. My ’84 3.2 now has over 176,000 miles. No small feat considering I live on a dirt road in Arizona!

Enjoy!

[LeeH]

Originally posted by Paul491
Picturing in your mind what your eyes can't see, latch that baby... After many years working on Learjets, I've learned to first carefully index the mating pieces and as a rule go after the most difficult fastener first. In the case of the air cover latch, once you get the forward lower clip, the rest are a breeze. I am 6'-4" and weigh in at 260lbs. If I can do it, I'm sure you can too!

So what you're really saying is...

"Use the Force, Luke"

[Paul491]

Funny you should mention it... I was often referred to as 'Obi-Wan Cadrobbi' while at Learjet ...lol May the 'Force' be with you... Attack and slay the lurking dark side of the filthy air cleaner. If left unattended or unlatched, it will become the 'death star' of your engine's universe... Stay alert and ever-vigilant, young Jedi...

[c2 rower]

Remove the oil filter. It makes it much easier to get your arm in there. BTW, do not try removing the filter after starting a cold engine and running it for 30 seconds. It's got a big slug of oil in there that will make a mess when you remove the filter. Warm it up fully, then let things cool down. Trust me, I've done it both ways.