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OK, I give up...

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BrianN

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Three years ago when after buying IXORA, I installed a neat set of Coopers air cleaners, thinking the authentic look was the way to go.

Today I removed them for cleaning. They were not too bad. But when I blew air through them with the shop vac exhaust hose after hosing them out with water and cleaner I was astounded at the back pressure. In vacuum mode the performace was equally disappointing.

So here's the question: What air cleaners do you suggest that fit properly under the bonnet and install easily?

So I'm going to ditch the authentic look and hopefully gain a bit of performance. What do you say?
 
I do not think you have gotten them cleaned out good enough yet.Get some acid type wheel cleaner or parts dip and soak them until the screens inside look like new.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Actually, I did clean them up quite thoroughly, using a very strong organic solvent which I use for cleaning metal before priming. The filters weren't very dirty to begin with and they looked clean as new when I finished with them. It's just that the metal mesh inside is so tightly packed that air flow seems seriously obstructed.

I'm not too keen on installing oily K&N type air cleaners. I'm hoping someone has a suggestion for a good looking and properly fitting brand of paper element filters.

Any suggestions?
 
I use a simple foam with cloth backing on the original Coopers, held in place with a SS band like those on the water lines. I'm sure it reduces the air flow even more but it runs great. We deal with pine pollins which are very fine. I would think a paper type filter would reduce the air even more.
TH
 
Rich,

Can you share more info on this item? Is this a larger version of the foam covers for su horn intakes the racers use?

Tracy
 
I don't know about it being used on the rams. That may be a source for them. Its just squares of foam backed with cloth. You put them on and trim the excess round. I take them off each time I change the oil and clean them and reverse blow with an air jet on my compressor. The carbs runs exactly the with or with out them so I look at it as extra protection.
 
Well TH, if the carbs do not require retuning when you put these additional covers on then effectively IMOP, they are doing nothing. Generally, using this method will cause fuel starvation at speed. Course now if you don't speed you will never see it. :D--Keoke-?
 
Hi Keoke,
Certainly true on SU type carbs which have the float bowl vent externally referenced to atmospheric pressure. Air intake restriction will cause a richer mixture.

Other more modern carbs have the float bowl vent connected to a point in the carb that is internal & downstream from the air intake. This causes any filter restriction pressure drop to be applied to the float bowl as well as to the carb, thus no mixture change.

A special case with externally vented SU's is the 100M cold air box which has the float bowl vents connected to the box at the same locations as the air intakes. Any pressure drop in the intake air plumbing is compensated so that the mixture is not affected. A filter added external to the air box does not affect the fuel pressure balance.
D
 
I have experienced foam discentigrating. The stuff ages so keep an eye on it and replace as needed.
 
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Good info there Dave.---Keoke
 
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