Air Filters RHD

Karl

Karl

Well-known member
Having replaced my B motor with an A motor (with a B Head ,carb and Manifold) we have run into another problem. The old air filter doesn't fit due to the lack of room between the RHD steering column and the A block oil return pipe.

Firstly is an Air Filter necessary. I know Henry didn't think so but I have always assumed it was a good idea -but is it ??? A's did lots of miles on gravel roads with no filters in times gone past

Secondly can other RHD drivers let me know what they use as an airfilter and where they scourced theirs from- Karl
 
Hi Karl, I made my own RHD airfilter using 50mm copper elbows, a K&N element and hardware bits and prices. If interested I can send photos and element detail. Seems to work well, no change in performance observed. Can't claim originality but it works. I think the key is to have a large filter element and connection to supply unobstructed air volume.
 
There were pictures posted the other day about a RHD air filter, (in fact, made DOWN UNDER). Try a search. I thought it was pricey, but that's me.
Paul in CT
 
Karl. Les used to stock them but now George E F P in CH_CH has them to fit A carbs, also Murray Horne , engine rebuilder Levin i beleive has a new one out to suit both carbs. you might try them.
 
I don't run a filter myself. Of all the engines I have, 29 in total, none show any signs of wear from dirt or dust, ie no scratching on the bores from dirt. Considering in the 30's and 40's the majority of the roads where these engines came from were unsealed, I can only presume it is that the carb inlet is facing rearward that helps prevent dirt from entering the engine. These are only my un-scientific observations and opinions.
 
My RHD has an air maze on it made from Pearson's in New Zealand. Just goggle somthing like "Pearsons RHD model A" and it should come up. They sale all kinds of stuff for RHD A's such as the special muffler clamp, air mazes, peddel pads, etc... The best source I know of for RHD A people. They ship anywhere in the world. The air maze they sale looks professional and fits dead on. Hope this helps. Just noticed you live in New Zealand. Get ahold of Pearsons.
 
Air filters would certainly have been a good idea in the old days with gravel roads, but I bet hardly any Model A's had one. These days with sealed roads & limited use, its debateable whether one is necessary.
I had never seen a filter on an A until the first Pearson ones became available about 25yrs ago.
Interestingly, Ford Canada did list an air filter for RHD Model A's & B's. Can not recall part number now.
 
dave in australia said:
I don't run a filter myself. Of all the engines I have, 29 in total, none show any signs of wear from dirt or dust, ie no scratching on the bores from dirt. Considering in the 30's and 40's the majority of the roads where these engines came from were unsealed, I can only presume it is that the carb inlet is facing rearward that helps prevent dirt from entering the engine. These are only my un-scientific observations and opinions.
Click to expand...

It also helps if you have engine pans. The air flows from the radiator across the engine and pans and exits out the bottom rear of the engine.
 
Karl said:
Having replaced my B motor with an A motor (with a B Head ,carb and Manifold) we have run into another problem. The old air filter doesn't fit due to the lack of room between the RHD steering column and the A block oil return pipe.

Firstly is an Air Filter necessary. I know Henry didn't think so but I have always assumed it was a good idea -but is it ??? A's did lots of miles on gravel roads with no filters in times gone past

Secondly can other RHD drivers let me know what they use as an airfilter and where they scourced theirs from- Karl
Click to expand...
Is an air filter necessary? Ask yourself if you are willing to remove the air filter on your car and your spouse's modern car? Would you buy a new car and throw the air filter away? There must be a reason air filters are on all new cars.

Yes the air filter will help the life of your model A motor.

Another point for the argument of whether to use an air filter is to look in your Model A judging standards in area 16 you will see the air filter is an acceptable "Ford approved accessory."
 
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"I know Henry didn't think so..." You are runnin B carb. B's came from Henry with filter/silencer and there were two different bigger filters available from Ford for heavy duty use!
One of the heavy duty B filters (an oil bath) used a tube from carb up to filter canister bolted to head...something like this might well work, depending on just how tight things are. I think RHD filters are probably discussed in the '32 restoration book.
 
Re: Air Filters RHD- Follow Up

I've decided to go with the filter. Our car club drives on some pretty rough roads and I suspect my car will see a lot of dust over the next few years. The attached photo shows me fording a river (to fast!)on one run. It was followed by 40 miles of very dusty gravel road. The dust got every where and stuck really well to the wet car. A blast ! Note the jeep in the back ground to pull anyone out who got stuck -Only one did a 1953 Citroen who lost its clutch in the water !-Karl
 

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Re: Air Filters RHD- Follow Up

Karl said:
I've decided to go with the filter. Our car club drives on some pretty rough roads and I suspect my car will see a lot of dust over the next few years. The attached photo shows me fording a river (to fast!)on one run. It was followed by 40 miles of very dusty gravel road. The dust got every where and stuck really well to the wet car. A blast ! Note the jeep in the back ground to pull anyone out who got stuck -Only one did a 1953 Citroen who lost its clutch in the water !-Karl
Click to expand...


The Wellington branch of the VVC did a run over the firebreak roads on the western hills behind Upper Hutt, a few months ago. The first time I had the Roadster on really bad metal & clay tracks. I said to the guy organising the run that I was amazed how well the A handled the tracks. He noted that this would have been the equivalent of a lot of back-block roads that the cars would have had to handle in their day.

Yes I had a big clean up after the run too!
 
Karl said:
Having replaced my B motor with an A motor (with a B Head ,carb and Manifold) we have run into another problem. The old air filter doesn't fit due to the lack of room between the RHD steering column and the A block oil return pipe.

Firstly is an Air Filter necessary. I know Henry didn't think so but I have always assumed it was a good idea -but is it ??? A's did lots of miles on gravel roads with no filters in times gone past

Secondly can other RHD drivers let me know what they use as an airfilter and where they scourced theirs from- Karl
Click to expand...
Another point for the argument of whether to use an air filter is to look in your Model A judging standards in area 16 you will see the air filter is an acceptable "Ford approved accessory".
 
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