Mr. Gasket Fly Eye Air Cleaners - Filter?

I bought a Mr. Gasket fly eye air cleaner a while back at a swap meet and would like to run it on my 1962 Ford Fairlane. My main concern is the foam filter - if the car backfires through the carburetor, I'll have a nice mess in my 350 CFM 2 bbl Holley. A friend had mentioned using brass wool (like steel wool) instead of the foam filter. Brass wool is mainly used on boats and comes in different grades. Does anyone have any ideas on what would be the best material to use in a fly eye air cleaner? Here's a picture of the air cleaner in question:



Thanks!
Tom - Glass_Packs

 

I would hang that damn thing on the wall.All I have ever seen run in them was foam and yeah it will burn,and then get sucked in the carb...........not a good idea in my eyes.FYI THE BRASS OR STEEL WOOL WOULD ALSO END UP IN THE MOTOR SOONER OR LATER....maybe for weekend carshows but not going any distance

 

Agreed. The foam goes to pieces from the fuel fumes and disintegrates over time. And I wouldn't trust any metal wool directly in front of the carb intake! a nice source of abrasive metal particles.

I suppose one could adapt some sort of flat paper element (coffee filter paper?) but, not being designed specifically for the job, I suspect that it would be either unduly restrictive or not do the job of a filter at all.

 

ditto to all above - keep it handy to install during car show/rod meets, but don't use it on a daily basis.

dj

 

goin with meatball on this one. hes dead on. hang it on the shop wall,it will be cheaper on you than building a new engine.

 

Don't mean to get too far off topic here, but thats a nice looking BBC, anyone know what type of intake that is?

 

I had one of those in the late 60's. The filter was a fine wire mesh that you sprayed with WD40.

 

big block

 

Oops, your right, the valve covers threw me off.

 

Looks like an old torker or tarantula eaglerock.... and throw that air cleaner away or hang it on the wall.......

 

Put it on Ebay those Baldwin motion freaks are buying them for stupid money

 

wall art

those and the old velocity stacks , wouldnt run either on a lawnmower let alone my car

 

Fire hazard. Heartache waiting to happen.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys - I think you're right, it looks cool but I don't think the foam filter would last long. GassersGarage mentioned using a fine wire mesh, maybe using it along the lines of a spark arrestor? Plan B is ditching the flyeye air cleaner and using my Cal Custom 10-10 hood scoop (and building a base to house a air cleaner).

Thanks!
Tom - Glass_Packs

 

McMaster Carr has stainless mesh that you can buy however fine you want. M-C also has different weave patterns to choose from. Just a thought.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-screens/=ae1vq3

 

just stumbled across this post, I have one of these as well, and here is what this guy did sounds like it may work


http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48453&page=2

 

If you like the Fly Eye Air Cleaner Assembly , Do what I did and use a K&N lid style filter. You won't have to use the lower screen as the K & N lid will take place of that and the carb stud will hold it in place.

 

Thanks for the pics Loco SS - what size filter are you running? I bought a 11" K&N lid style filter, I might have to build a steel ring to make up the gap (the fly eye air cleaner is about 12" in diameter).

Thanks!
Tom - Glass_Packs