81'-86' Air Cleaners

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VPC20HD

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California
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Vincent
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
C20 HD
Engine Size
350/5.7/LT9
Hello,

I have a 1982 C20 HD and I'm missing the original Air Cleaner. My dad was the first owner and bought the C20 in California and after doing some research, I believe there was an emission label on the Air Cleaner with a CNU emission code label. My C20 is "M code" which means it has a LT9 engine for HD pick ups. My questions is, Can I put on any Air Cleaner that was on a LT9 or LS9 engine from 81-86 or Do I have to find an Air Cleaner that was just for the LT9 engine like the one I have.

Any info would be appreciated, Thank You.
 

CalSgt

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Casey
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1980
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Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Most likely any stock air cleaner from the era will pass visual inspection.

post a picture of what you’re working with
 

fast 99

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Brian
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K20
Engine Size
350
Will caution you, if the vehicle has a 4 port TVS on top of the thermostat housing it will need the smaller diameter air cleaner pictured above. Ask me how I know.
 

VPC20HD

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1982
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C20 HD
Engine Size
350/5.7/LT9
Under my hood...
 

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VPC20HD

Junior Member
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California
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Vincent
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1982
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C20 HD
Engine Size
350/5.7/LT9
I mean do all Heavy Duty C20s and K20s from 1981-1986 have the same Air Clearers with different emission labels on them depending if the truck was sold in California or not, or are the Air Cleaners different based on what engine came on?

forgive my ignorance...
 
Last edited:

fast 99

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Brian
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Engine Size
350
I mean do all Heavy Duty C20s and K20s from 1981-1986 have the same Air Clearers with different emission labels on them depending if the truck was sold in California or not, or are they different based on what engine came on?

forgive my ignorance...
My 81 K20 is same as top one pictured, 85 K20 has one like you posted, both 350's. They were originally non-floater, so lighter duty. Can't answer the question directly but would guess GVW, year, California emissions, dual or single tank might all play into what was installed.
 

AuroraGirl

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400(?), 350
I mean do all Heavy Duty C20s and K20s from 1981-1986 have the same Air Clearers with different emission labels on them depending if the truck was sold in California or not, or are they different based on what engine came on?

forgive my ignorance...
heavy duty is another word for leaded gasoline, so less smog equipment
 

JGN62

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Glenn
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1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Hi, I am new to this forum. I have a 1982 Chevy G20 vans with a 350. I discovered the hard way that you want an air cleaner that has a blue/grey coloured ring which appears to be a carbon filled device which is permanently sealed into the air cleaner base. I removed mine as I thought this was a restriction to air flow (which it is) I soon discovered a problem though. My gas tank began to crumple as the vacuum from the fuel pump on a sealed system was not allowed to equalize. I replaced all kinds of things including the vapour canister and still had the problem until I realized that the grey restrictor ring that was originally in the air cleaner was there to provide a small area that was not under vacuum. This was how GM/Chevy had their system set up to be compliant to hydro carbons being contained. So if your vehicle is California compliant you may want to make sure the air cleaner you look for has this intact.
Glenn
 

Strick

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Harold
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1979
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C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
Welcome in from the Tarheel State.

HS
 

JGN62

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1982
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Thank you Sir
 

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