Stock air box question

[Crunch]

Yesterday I changed my water pump and removed the stock air box, per the suggestion of the Motor City Mechanic in the Geno's water pump video. I didn't pay attention when removing it, but when I reinstalled it I noticed that the opening on the lower half of the box has about an inch of separation between it and the opening behind the headlight. The pins on the bottom of the air box are in the grommets, and the front fits easily over the threaded rod that hold the lower part of the box.

So has something deformed on the air box to cause the gap, or was there something like a flexible tube that connects the air intake behind the headlight with the lower part of the air box? I don't think it adversely affects the operation of the air box, but it definitely doesn't seem like the way it was designed.

 

[Ozymandias]

That's correct we all have that gap.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is a foam gap filler from the factory that comes apart with age

 

[seafish]

Years ago, when I had my air box out for modification. I replaced the factory foam with a high quality 1/2" x 1/2" self stick medium density foam strip I got at the hardware store in the door/window section. Just because I am OCD about these hings, I also drilled through the box and fender well two 1/8" holes and used a couple of long. thin bolts with wing nuts to tighten the box with its new foam to the fender well. Mind you, there is JUST enough room around the opening for these holes and bolts to work.

I check the gap every time I replace the filter, and my mod has been working just effectively since. The wing nuts make it easy to remove the entire box again if I need to do so for access to that side of the engine.

 

[Regcabguy]

I just did the home depot mod but didn't extend the hose down as far as some.

 

[TFucili]

I did the PSM kit on my '05, and it had the "gaposis".

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for the replies. I never had reason to check that area before, so it was a surprise to see the gap. Vehicle manufacturers use to much foam rubber these days, and they know it will degrade and fall apart. I'll probably just go the redneck method and use a couple rotations of duct tape to cover the gap. But if I'm feeling really industrious I'll go with the silver metallic tape that is used to seal stove pipes on hot water heaters. That stuff really sticks well.

 

[CharlesHoward]

I recently installed the HD Mod, Grated 4" floor drain, 4" Aluminum Dryer Duct and 4" hose clamp.