Do the studs that the wing nuts screw on to to secure the air cleaner box screw into the air throat elbow. Some butcher has done a mod way back, as the air box was secured by nuts.
Can new studs be purchased with the wing nuts?

I think the elbow studs may be cast in, no sign of threading at lower end and also they are not quite straight. The ones I have seen have slight kink in the stud, possibly to get it lined up with air filter top plate holes.

I once tried to unscrew the stud as i was going to design a more free flowing elbow using a different way of attaching the airbox. I put the exposed long stud into a vise and tried unscrewing it. It would not budge. Hitting the elbow with a soft mallet still would not budge it. I gave up on my idea.

Thanks. They have been extended, so I should be able to get them back to take the correct wing nut setup.