Stupid air cleaner question.

Here's my question. The base and top appear to be original. They fit together at the bottom with less than 1/4 gap all the way around between the base and the top for air to get in. It's probably more like 1/8" all the way around. Is this normal? Does it sound like I have something mismatched? The element appears the original element, as it fits perfectly, but when the top is put on, there is that small gap. Doesn't seem like enough area to supply a proper amount of air to the engine, even though it's a 170.[/QUOTE]
Yup thats how they are, never understood that design it almost like choking it, even the commando air cleaners air the same way, you can hear the air being pulled.