Jerry
The 1971 air cleaner assemblies had no aux. air valve. The lids were blue. The snorkels were re-clocked from the 2 o'clock position to the 8 o'clock position. The air cleaner assemblies were not just installed 180 degrees off, the snorkels were actually re-clocked. This is because there are humps in the air cleaner pans for distributor clearance, the humps had to sit over the distributor. I agree you have a 1971 assembly.
The air cleaner assemblies of the Q code engines (1972 through 1974) all had the aux. air valves, and all had chrome lids. The snorkels were not re-clocked. The height of the 1973 and 1974 versions was reduced to compensate for the height of the EGR plate sandwiched between the manifold and carburetor. The 1973 and 1974 assemblies use a different (shorter) air filter than the 1971 and 1972 assemblies.
How about if instead of judging I join you on the sidelines, and we'll share stories over a couple of Budweisers … or Four Roses single barrel bourbon?