Backstory: I decided to try hood insulation and thought I had enough clearance to keep from scratching the air cleaner. I even checked with putty and thought I had about 1/4 inch clearance. After one drive, I can tell that I don't. I managed to drop the air cleaner almost another 1/4inch by changing the gasket, but am pretty sure this won't completely solve the problem. I have been exploring the possibility of making a little cap for the top of the air cleaner stud, (to hold the insulation up a little). I made a prototype out of an inverted freeze plug (round edges, easy to polish).
Has anyone tried anything like this and succeeded? I am concerned it will just bore a hole in the hood pad.