Classic/Antique Car Repair: Too hot under hood, oldsmobile delta 88, flexible hose

Question
I have a 1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with 425ci 2-barrel.  The intake on the air filter tube is 1-1/2" to 1-5/8".  When the engine is hot, restarting the car is difficult.  I've opened the hood sometimes and the engine starts up easily enough then, so I think that isolates that problem.  I'd like to add a tube from the air filter housing intake to some cooler air, but I can't find an opening in the front area of the car.  I'd have to go downward to maybe a foot above the ground (two foot length tubing).  Should the diameter of the tubing be 2" or larger?  Is it not a good idea to have the intake near the ground because of water splashing into it on rainy days?

Answer
Carl,
 Although bringing fresh air directly to the air cleaner intake is not a bad idea (it's done with many models), this is probably not going to solve this problem.  I believe the problem may be the thermostatic bypass flap on the air cleaner, assuming there is one.  This is normally used during warmup, to bring hot air in from the a downward angled port supplied by a flexible hose from the exhaust manifold.  If it is stuck open, that could be the source of hot air when not required or desired.  There could also be a problem with the automatic choke.

Rick