AC 212CW Air Filter

[Joe L.]

A while ago an above-referenced element was sold on eBay under #4537737557. In the item DESCRIPTION the seller mentioned that the element had the angled wire mesh with solder joints as used on 1965-69 Corvettes. Apparently, the seller doesn't understand, at all, the difference between wire mesh and expanded metal screens because the the filter element CLEARLY pictured in the item description shows an expanded metal screen. NO original Corvette application used this expanded metal screen and I don't think that any other Chevrolet or GM ORIGINALLY used this type screen, either. Corvette and most other Chevrolet usage for the 212CW filter ended with the 1972 model year, although some Z-28 Camaros used it through 1974. It's possible that some of the 73-74 applications originally used the expanded metal screen in PRODUCTION, but I really doubt it.

Anyway, some "genius" paid $202 for this filter. As far as Corvettes go, it's not correct for ANY application so its value cannot exceed the current cost of a replacement AC 212CW. That's about 5 bucks from a Delco dealer. I hope that person is not someone who frequents this board. Someone who does so should have a received a lot better "Corvette education" than that and saved himself about $197.

[Peter L.]

Re: AC A212CW Air Filter

While it is correct that NO original Corvette used the specific expanded metal screen AC A212CW air filter listed on Ebay, it is important to note that examples of an earlier expanded metal sceen A212CW have been observer on 1970-1972 Corvettes. The 1970-1972 NCRS Judging Manual I have has the following statement "An expanded screen filter has been seen on a few low mileage 1970 to 1972 Corvettes." From the exmples I have seen, these filter have a heavier expanded metal screen and have "BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR ENGINE - REPLACE WITH AC TYPE A212CW FILTER" silk screened in white letters on one of the the black Plastisol surfaces. The expanded metal screen is a heavier material than the one on Ebay and the screen is dull (almost looks like it's lightly corroded) not bright. If you are interested I'll be glad to send you some pictures of the air filter elements. I have examples of this configuration air filter elements and the boxes are dated in the very early '70s. "These are not for sale." Pete