Pardon my ignorance, but I am wondering if anyone has tried to adapt the earlier 55-56 T-Bird aircleaner (or a dry-element repro) to the later wide pattern Holley/Autolite carb?  Would it be too tall to clear the hood, or are there other features that preclude?
Also, while totally eliminating the manifold exhaust heat (Mummert manifold, block-off plates, etc.) would undoubtedly increase hot weather performance (cooler mixture), I wonder if that might lead to carb icing/stalling in sub-freezing winter driving conditions, or has ethanol fuel possibly eliminated that issue?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA