Mystery Air Cleaner

[BlackMax-ThunderToad]

1964 Evinrude 5.5 HP 5402b. Outside the carb throat there is an "L" plate and a perforated screen, all held off by spacers. I know there is supposed to be some sort or "element" sandwiched in between them. What possible good would that do being space out more than an inch away? I have worked on autos, lawn mowers and go carts, not outboards. Never seen this. If its an air cleaner it makes no sense. Please explain.
The "L" plate/bracket has no holes except mounting holes. Where's the flow?

 

[racerone]

Not an air cleaner at all.----------Reed valves on outboard motors make a lot of noise.-----------This was a less than scientific method to silence that noise.

 

[BlackMax-ThunderToad]

Holy cowl, thanks very much. Was going crazy about that. I was "baffled".

 

[johnnygjr]

very ingenious blackmax!