My new Air Filter issue

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Hi Machine Girl,

Agree 100%.

I never even tried installing a paper filter down below a Model A or Model B carburetor -- just me -- but some may have different opinions which I respect.

The filter I presently have up high on my Model A is described in reply no 27 further down under the question in message title:

Re: Air filter for Model A

Some probably would not like this one either.

I have learned long ago to never worry too much about if the millions of Chinese in China are presently eating Cheerios for breakfast or not; & really, I learned to never try to change all of their minds & to try to force them to eat Corn Flakes ........ with or without strawberries.

Hope this helps with opinions.

Well, I cook Cream of Wheat & Quaker Oatmeal in the same pot together, SO, how's this relate to air filters???--------Bill W.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Barber,

I often think sometimes of an air filter comparison between that of one on an engine on a highway .............. & that of one in an almost immaculate small office occupied by one employee, with one entrance door, no visitors, all business conducted with clients by phone, no children, no toys nor bikes, no food, no kitchen, where the one (1) employee walks 12 feet on concrete from his car to his office front door.

The single entrance door is opened only to enter & exit the office twice a day & the windows stay shut.

And then the employee vacuum cleans his office floor periodically.

After one month, we check his office's air-condition filter ..... wow !!!!

We just cannot imagine why this filter looks like an A/C filter that was used as a flag, strapped to a flag staff, & secured to the back of Lawrence of Arabia's camel while he was crossing the Sahara Dessert for thirty days while traveling through a blinding 70 mph sand storm.

I cannot figure it out either -- don't feel surprised -- I think our Model A loves us all with or without an air filter.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Bill,

So glad to hear from you.

I was really talking about China -- appears difficult to eat Cheerios ........ or even Cream of Wheat & Oat Meal cooked in the same pot with chop sticks.

We better consult Buster-T on this most complex issue -- hope he is doing OK & still reading the newspaper.

[TDO]

My opinion on air filters is, with out one its like using sand paper in your cylinder. Just giving you something to think about. Like I said ,just my opinion.

[Barber31]

Here's what I ended up doing to remedy the broken tab. Couldn't find my rivet gun so had to use what I had.

[Barber31]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[Barber31]

[eagle]

A lot of air filters were sold FOR the original model a. Just because they left the factory without them only means that the dealer got to make a few cents on the sale of a good idea... an air filter!

[JOES31]

I would strongly recommend getting the Hi Boy. You do not want the filter below the carb because of fuel that will saturate the filter. You will create a fire hazard. Now that you have the bottom bracket and the top cap you can order a K&N. Just use the Hi Boy fitting to the carb and put the bottom bracket on with a small piece of radiator hose.

Running an air filter will not restrict the air flow and richen the mixture provided it is the proper size to flow the CFM demanded by the engine. I used the long K&N which also meant I had to use a longer center rod. Worked great. If the carb leaks and most do you won't have a disaster waiting to happen. Small price to pay to protect your vehicle.

My opinion.

[160B]

If the carb leaks and most do you won't have a disaster waiting to happen. Small price to pay to protect your vehicle.

This is not directed at the poster but at the general problem of a leaking carburetor.

If the carburetor leaks it is a problem.

If the carburetor float valve does not seat, fix it.

If the gas shut off valve does not shut off fix it.

By not fixing the problem you are courting disaster.

I have seen the results of a fire in an engine compartment with a leaking carburetor and an air filter. The cause of the problem is not the air filter it is a leaking carburetor.

If you chose to not install an air cleaner on a leaking carburetor you are not fixing the underlying problem, if it leaks fix it.

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW:

1. If your tank is rusty and/or dirty, or if you fill up with dirty gasoline; &,

2. If your tank has fine particles of iron rust and/or sand from any source; then

3. Iron & sand are harder than the brass shut off valve & they will eventually scratch the brass tapered device & will eventually cause the shut off valve to leak ....... some have an in-tank fuel tank filter which can greatly help to prevent shut-off valve failure.

4. Sometimes some deleterious fines get passed the "original" Model A fuel filters & can prevent a float valve from sealing off the gas flow -- hence, a carburetor leak occurs.

5. A Model A gravity fed fuel tanks sitting up high are similar to a vehicle with a lower fuel tank below the carburetor ....... but with the fuel pump running constantly.

6. Leaks or no leaks, with a High-boy air filter, it will always remain free of liquid gas.

7. Lots of good helpful information in above replies -- each to his own -- sometimes Model A fires can be prevented.

[Mitch//pa]

barber 31
make sure those nuts don't come loose from your rig and get pulled into the engine.
that would really suck
at least bugger up the bolt threads or such as a back up and or a tack weld and or lock nuts
thats why they are originally tacked with no bolts

[TDO]

Originally Posted by JOES31

I would strongly recommend getting the Hi Boy. You do not want the filter below the carb because of fuel that will saturate the filter. You will create a fire hazard. Now that you have the bottom bracket and the top cap you can order a K&N. Just use the Hi Boy fitting to the carb and put the bottom bracket on with a small piece of radiator hose.

Running an air filter will not restrict the air flow and richen the mixture provided it is the proper size to flow the CFM demanded by the engine. I used the long K&N which also meant I had to use a longer center rod. Worked great. If the carb leaks and most do you won't have a disaster waiting to happen. Small price to pay to protect your vehicle.

My opinion.

Where did you order the K&N filter and what was the Number of the filter?

[Barber31]

Thanks guys. I will look at the hi-boy filters.
I don't remember my carb leaking much. Only when I was having ignition issues and I couldn't get it to fire. But other than that I know she doesn't drip gas regularly. I'll keep an eye on the filter to see if its getting wet while I'm out shopping for the hiBoy.
H.L. Chauvin - I had my tank boiled and coated on the inside so I should be good with no debris floating around. But since I was there I still put in one of the filters above the shut off valve.
Mitch- I did put lock washers on there. It's kinda hard to tell in the pic. I think I'm gonna go back and put some loctite also. I pictures that too, sucking up the nuts and just hearing all the rattling. Not good. Haha

[JOES31]

If I remember I got it on line at Auto Zone. The K&N part number is E-2040 and is 6.625 inches long. They make two progressively shorter units is you have a clearance problem. Mine just fits under the Gas bowl. I wanted the overkill.

I am new to the A and have rebuilt and bought a rebuilt carb from a reputable source recommended on this site. I had to send it back because of leaking. The tank is clean and I have a filter in the bowl and one in line so I know it is not particles in the fuel. The one that I rebuilt so far works the best and does not leak after setting the float just aft of parallel to the carb top. I also used the Viton valve which I had to go through two of them before I got one good one. I finally rebuilt a Tilitson and even had to work to keep it from leaking. Any more leaking and I am going to put an XR-1 blower on the darn thing. Well maybe not a good idea. The blower is larger than the engine.

I am not comfortable putting the filter below the carb because of it's inherent design.

[Duffy1]

FWIW ; The float valve is designed as a control valve not a 100% shut off valve.

[JOES31]

If it won't shut off 100% then the carb will leak even with the valve off. I would assume it would drain some fuel from the line because of the atmospheric vent on the bowl of the carb because the fuel in the line is above the bowl. Correct? Does the valve need to be shut down every time the car is parked? Is that what everyone does?

Without a filter and with most of the parking lots gravel and dirt years ago it probably did not pose a problem.

[Duffy1]

I close the fuel shut off in line valve when I stop . The only problem with this is sometimes ( mostly when I am in a hurry and my wife is late ) I forget to open it . Know a lot of folks who install an electric shut off valve to circumvent this problem . I may install one if my memory gets worse.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Since I polished my gas valve and original carb needle and seat with toothpaste, they have both been holding perfectly. I turn the valve off if I'm going to be stopped for more than a few minutes.

[Synchro909]

Machine Girl, I know this is getting a bit off subject but your comment about these carbys leaking fuel is VERY relevant here in Australia where we sit on the right side of the car (correct side too he he). That puts the light switch directly under the leaky carby and a spark from the switch has started many many fires. American cars in the period, I'm told had a reputation for burning for that reason. Poor design if they intended selling them in RHD countries. In fact, I lost two cars and my workshop that way a few years ago thanks to a 1929 Chrysler. That said, in other respects, American cars were ideally suited to driving conditions here. Nothing condescending or insulting intended.