This is my car has about 700 miles on a frame off, 312, 5 speed, the problem is the new / rebuilt fuel pumps put out to much pressure (9lbs), here's how I solved it, I replaced the pump with a 6 valve fuel pump for a marine FE Ford, I then hooked a vacuum line from the back side of the diaphragm to the constant vacuum port on the carburetor, the vacuum lowers the fuel pressure to 6lbs at idle, when the vacuum goes away the pressure go back up.  

Clever problem solving - nice.  Nice car with many unique items under the hood like the redesigned stead rest between exhaust ports 7 and 8 just to name one.  

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Well, if that ACL has a plastic foam (mesh) element in it and you have a big enough backfire, it will melt into your carburetor.

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According to Mummert, his Tbird manifold is .180 taller than OEM. You have no carburetor spacer, and your air cleaner doesn't have a drop base. Owning a 55 Tbird, I know that hood space is limited. Did you choose that particular air cleaner because you like the way it looks, or is it because it fits? 

Well it fits and yes it's a POS, I'm looking for a better one

Summit has a 14-inch, drop-base air cleaner with a 3-inch element. It's not fancy, it's not fancy, but it's inexpensive. You could use a 1/2-inch carburetor spacer and still have hood clearance. I'm going to try a one-inch spacer.

It is a shame that a man posts here showing a well throughout modification and I critique his ACL (the things are dangerous) but they are pretty on certain applications and were popular years ago (EDELBROCK).

Any-who, to try and cause amends, I present you with some nice EYE-CANDY - 

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The top one (installed) looks like the Summit air cleaner, but mine has a paper element, not oiled gauze. The drop base tends to hide the carburetor.                                   It only takes a moment to swap air cleaners-one for show, and one for go.

The photo I showed is the REPRO ACL ASSY for a 57 BIRD. The ACL ASSY is available with or without the weather shield.

The owner must have replaced the element with a K&N.

Here is a photo of the assembly with correct filter element - 

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