[Gregski]

another alternative and the way I ended up going rather than a spacer is a flat air cleaner base, see how yours is dished, I like the flat ones because not only does the air cleaner sit higher and clear things, but you can actually see the carb

well short answer to your question would have been yes close it up especially the part that is inside the air cleaner element as the tiniest of particles will wreak havoc on the internals of your carb especially the float bowls and needles