TR2/3/3A SU Air Cleaners on TR3A

[60TR3A]

Granted, everything you say is true but everyone suggesting that Triumph never learned after producing the side curtain cars for 10 years that they were making the air cleaners wrong

I did not mean to suggest that at all. The fact is, these were "cheap" sports cars, and at the time, modern filter technology simply did not exist. The wire mesh was a reasonable choice at the time, especially since there was no room for an oil bath filter (the accepted standard back then).

So it comes down to a question of whether, and how much, you want to improve your car. I'm not saying there is anything "wrong" with keeping it totally "as original"; it's your car, it should please you. So some of us wind up with Toyota transmissions and electronic ignitions and steel belted radial tires on alloy wheels. Others don't. Neither group is "wrong", it's just personal preference.

I'm just trying to present the information, so you can make an informed choice.

Similar to what Viv posted, it's easy to see for yourself how well the mesh works. When you remove them for their 6000 mile service, wipe your finger inside the housing. What comes out on your finger is only a tiny fraction of the dirt that went through the engine.

Show of hands : Is anyone actually still running the felt oil filter (original for TR2 and early TR3)? Or would, if they were available? What about leather seals?

Thanks for your very comprehensive reply as it does help put it into the proper perspective. To quote Albert from TRF: "Charles runs them on his TR3A and he's never had a problem. Obviously filter technology has changed since late '50's though." I'm not sure who Charles is but I suspect he works at TRF. I agree with you that it is personal preference and that it would be better for the engine to run a modern filter. Too bad one can't have both but apparently K&N doesn't make filters that look like the OEMs.

Since it'll take me 7 - 10 years to put on 6,000 miles, I'll check the inside of the filter every six months and clean them twice a year. If I find dust clinging to the inside as you suggest I'd find in 6K miles, then I'll have to reconsider and get modern filters. By the time I do that in 6 months' time, chances are my engine will emerge unscathed due to the limited number of miles it'll have sucked dirty air.

I must say that I do appreciate all the helpful and considerate and well-written replies I've seen on this forum! :-D

 

[swift6]

He was referring to Charles Runyan, owner/founder of The Roadster Factory.

 

[TR3driver]

Since it'll take me 7 - 10 years to put on 6,000 miles,

At that rate, I would definitely not worry about it.

The TR3 isn't quite up to snuff yet, but before the 3A got wrecked I routinely put 10k/year or more on it. I've gone over 3000 in a single trip, which is only half of what some others do. Charles drove his from PA to CA and back in 2009, which is over 5000 miles even if he didn't take any side trips. Don Elliott was probably there too.

BTW, Albert is Charles' son and might one day be taking over as head of TRF. It's good to see someone taking an active interest, since I suspect Charles (like me) is slowing down a bit. Also, Charles is a stickler for originality, which is one of the reasons I like doing business with him. IMO, if it is listed under the original part number, then it is as close to original as he/they can find.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I expect those original engineers would be amazed at this discussion... and what would amaze them most be the date on the posts.

IOW, I don't think they were designing these cars with the expectation that we'd still be driving them 1000s of miles a year, 50+ years into the future.

 

[60TR3A]

I expect those original engineers would be amazed at this discussion... and what would amaze them most be the date on the posts.

IOW, I don't think they were designing these cars with the expectation that we'd still be driving them 1000s of miles a year, 50+ years into the future.

Roger that.

 

[HerronScott]

So for many years I've used RamFlo aircleaners with foam inserts. As a result the carbies stay quite clean and annual maintenance is restricted to washing the inserts. RamFlo makes an offset aircleaner like the originals, but they aren't needed. The rounded shape of a standard aircleaner clears the inner guard.

Viv,

That's what I used on my TR4A as well. With the HS6s, they were the oval 400 series which were similar to the paper oval ones that were stock.

Scott

 

[TR3driver]

IOW, I don't think they were designing these cars with the expectation that we'd still be driving them 1000s of miles a year, 50+ years into the future.

As long as they made it through the warranty period.

 

[6TTR3A]

<span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-family: 'System'">I'm with Viv, the Ram Flo air cleaners are my favorite.
I had problems sourcing them here for H6 SUs, but the Australian vendor even had the foam in GREEN !! </span></span>

 

[HerronScott]

I got mine from Paeco (25 years ago but they are still in business and still list them).

Weiand RamFlow air filters

Scott