Took Ol' Blue out for a test run today after installing a fuel pressure regulator and resetting the floats. Trying to eliminate the smell of fuel when I shut it off. I drove it without air cleaners so I could look down the carb throats when I got home to see if gas was dribbling after I shut it off. The power increase amazed me! That little flathead was really pulling strong. Just from removing the air cleaners. I have 2 Holley '94s with those little chrome aircleaners with the louvers on them. The filters look clean but I think those things must be restrictive. I don't want to run it without aircleaners so I guess I need to look for something different. Anybody else discovered this? I wonder if they make better non-restrictive filters for these aircleaners. If so who makes them?
Pretty common problem and one I had on my old '39 Pickup. I ended up running a pair of these: Not the best for filtering but I didnt really care. Check out The Hot Rod Company, the owner is a HAMB member. Myself and many other HAMB'ers have bought from Mike. Great company and service.
I bought some from Sacramento Vintage, that use K&N washable filter elements. So far, no issues with them. 4TTRUK
Seconded. If you can replace the filter element with something less restrictive - maybe a K&N element - you'd be better off.
Very interesting...I'm running those too! Muttley, what are the filter options inside that type of stack? I'd sure hate to get dirt inside this expensive flathead.
1. Some of these damn things are just plain chokes. 2. The best ones apparently flow enough...but since they still toodamnsmall, you must change or clean very frequently. 3. You may have 3 or whatever of the things to split the work, but if your setup is progressive most of your air is still going through just one. 4. Running without cleaners briefly to find out if cleaners are changing things is a good idea so you know what's happening. Preliminary tuning should be done without the cleaners, too...I have corresponded with people who tuned their setup from new with brand new bad filters, and they ended up going smaller and smaller on jets, plugging PV's, etc. to try to correct a richness problem that was simply worthless filters! Tune your rig with enough air going in, then put on the filters and see that it's still right!! 5. Running without cleaners permanently is dumb and will kill your engine...BUT... 6. Running rich can actually kill an engine faster than running unfiltered...so get some filters that actually p*** enough air!! A rich engine can lose its rings and start blowing blue smoke in a thousand miles. 7. Nothing looks better than 3 or 4 of the nasty little chrome things. Bummer.
We have used k&n filters and raised the top of the chrome cover slightly to allow more air in at the base. Seems to run great but as you say haven't tried it with out the filters though the plugs look spot on so thought if they were black would mean to much gas and not enough air or is this oversimplifying things.
It's not the housing so much as it is the filter. The paper filters are very, very restrictive. And due to the small size, getting good filtration without restricting flow is challenging. I think the K&N filter elements are about the best compromise.
I didn't know K&N made filters to fit these, anyone have a part number? I looked on the K&N site but couldn't find it.
Another supplier of the K&N washable style of filter is OTB Gear part #4001 $20 each http://www.otbgear.com/z-2-X-4-Platinum-Series-Air-Filter-P81.aspx or $24 for slightly taller http://www.otbgear.com/z-325-X-4-Platinum-Series-Air-Filter-P82.aspx Cheers
Well there ya go... I'm running those little cheapie chrome filters with the louvers. I never thought about them being so restrictive but it does stand to reason now I think about it. I will now be on the hunt for a pair of K&N elements. Thanks for the info.....
I am using the "washable repl. Element" from Speedway motors for 5 years. the engine breathes as well as a flathead can. Part No. 910-11014 @ $7.99 ea.
If you are using stacks or scoops, flatattack racing sells a nice little insert. I wash them with the K&N stuff and so far, so very good.
In the back of the K&N printed catalog is/was all dimensions of every filter they make with the part number. Too late tonight, I'll check mine and post tomorrow.
K&N makes a filter with a 2 5/8 neck that will clamp on a Holly or Stromberg carb air horn. Don't know the part number but it's in their catalog.
any noticeable difference when running one of the thickstun style air cleaners? http://www.retrorodinc.com/product_images/yiqqesizuiplcvi.jpg
I looked closely at the filters in these little aircleaners and they do look very dense and restrictive. I then looked up K/N filters website and searched for replacement elements. I found one: Part No. 60-0410 refers to a filter that is very close in size. The original filters are 2" high and 3 7/8" in diam. whereas the K/N filter is 2 1/4" high and 4" in diam. Looks like I could make it work. The part no. refers to the whole aircleaner setup not just the filter. I'm sure they would sell a replacement filter for it. I will check into it. They also sell a filter that is the same size except it is 4" tall. That would help with breathing better but may stick up a bit.
The Jalopy Journal
