Hey Larry - thanks for that information .
The engine was previously running a Edelbrock strip dominator high rise intake manifold but no engine cover. In order to make everything fit under the engine cover it was changed to a Edelbrock twin plane low rise with a 3/4 spacer . With the 2 1/2 inch element and no platter it all just fits. About 1/8 inch clearance to the engine cover at the closest point.
I have measured the clearances and using a drop base 3 inch , if it came down 1/2 inch on what I have , would be very close to the oil dipstick casing alignment. Did you have to do anything to your dip stick sleeve to make it all fit with the 3 inch element with the drop casing ? It must be tight- how close is it ?
Pretty soon I will have purchased all possible dimensional combinations of air filters and intake manifolds - then the task will be complete !