@Robert M thanks for those points. Hmm, I'm thinking of picking up a generic air filter from the local parts store that generally fits (I'm assuming the exact spec probably doesn't matter all that much so I don't have to confirm they're Kadron and find the exact filter). Then creating a hole on the side of the filter for the hose to enter into. Yes, it's a kludgy solution, but I'm assuming it'd work?
I should've originally mentioned that I smell fumes even when in the driver seat. I was assuming that it's out the exhaust from running lean vs rich, but perhaps it's from these carbs because fumes dumped into that mesh chamber are easily escaping out?