Measuring air breather to hood clearance

[blown motor]

I've heard of putting play dough on the air breather and closing the hood to measure the clearance. Is there a better material to use or a better way of doing it?

[Burdar]

Just recently saw guys from Bitchin Rides use aluminum foil.  Wad it up into loose balls and place it on the air filter.  Then see how much it crushes.

[70vert]

I've used the play-dough method many times, works well. Then take a caliper to it if you want an actual measurement.
If you are worried about it sticking or marring a surface you can put wax paper on each side to prevent that.

[bentpshrods]

   Talk about timing.  I finally got around to putting my six pack on Sunday. My first concern was will the air cleaner fit. Found the grand kids play doe and used it.. Worked great. FYI to all, at the highest point on air cleaner lid had 1"clearance, at the cross brace towards the back---3/4".   

[Cudajason]

whats wrong with Play Dough....I have used it too.

aluminum foil will work too.

[jyotkc]

I set up my phone inside the engine bay and took a video to see how much clearance i had.

[dodj]

I've heard of putting play dough on the air breather and closing the hood to measure the clearance. Is there a better material to use or a better way of doing it?

Yes there is. The better material is called tinfoil. Loosely ball it up. Place it on the air cleaner lid. Then close the hood.It doesn't spring back and it won't stick to anything.

[70 Top Banana]

Yep, used both "tinfoil" and play-doh. Play-doh when the kids had some and it was not to hard to use. Ha.