air cleaner assembly for 1954 Manhattan

[retroguy]

When I take the wing nut off the air cleaner to remove the cover, the 6" or 8" rod comes out with it.  Trying to line up the bottom of the rod with the bottom of the air cleaner and line up the top of the rod with the center hole in the cover is a lesson in frustration. Is the bottom of the rod supposed to be fastened in some way to the bottom of the air cleaner?

[joefrazer]

The wing nut/rod was originally manufactured as one piece. If yours is two pieces, then the original was replaced. And yes, it can be a lesson in frustration to get back in place.

[retroguy]

So apparently I should assemble the air cleaner and cover on the carburetor and then insert the rod and wing nut through the hole in the cover and fish around for the threaded hole with the threaded end of the rod?  Still sounds like frustration.