Engine Access

Some cars are probably a little tighter than others. But in any event, if you pull the pin at the top of the support rod, you can lift the lid a bit higher until the hinges touch the roof openings. You should get enough clearance to get the airbox off.

As to bleeding, neither of my 77 cars have a bleed on the T-stat housing. On level ground cold, I open the radiator bleed and, while maintaining level at the expansion tank, bleed the radiator until it runs clear. Then I make a few stops from time to time and open the bleed again. If I get a lot of air, I top off the tank. I think with or without the T-stat bleeder it would take several attempts over a day or two to work all the air out of the system. Just filling it and bleeding it once or twice and never checking it again isnt safe IMHO. I generally check the bleeder for air before every run with the filler cap off, just as I do oil and other checks.

 

Chuck although you are over the hump and did it the hard way here is what I've done. When I did my 1st belt change I had to remove the lid. After I removed the air cleaner I glued in the little round sleeves that are on the carb studs to the carb. So now when I need to wash the K&N air filter I take the top of the filter off and while PULLING the bottom of the air cleaner toward the rear of the car (the 4 rubber gaskets flex) I can remove the air cleaner. Now if you want by doing the same operation you can also remove the bottom half of the air cleaner and the 16 round spacers stay on the top of the carbs. Just takes a little force but it works for me.