Well I called Holley to see if their base plate would fit better than the GM plate that came on the engine. The tech suggested Holley part number 26-25, it is a banjo swivel inlet with 5/16 hose barb. Mine has a 3/8 hose from the pump to the filter to the inlet, was that way when I got it. I downloaded the installation manual from the Holley website and it says that the carb comes with a 5/16 fitting. I was going to buy the 26-25 and use a barb to barb adapter to reduce the line down to 5/16. While I was on JEG's site looking at it they had a link to similar items and there was one, non-Holley, listed with a 3/8 barb, same threads (9/16 - 24) as the Holley fitting. Hopefully this will solve the problem and I won't have to worry about clearance between the air cleaner and the hood.
Thanks,
Don