Air cleaner filter
I am looking for a correct air cleaner filter. (It should be a AC Delco 212CW). I am trying to buy one and the seller said that neither the mfg or cat number is on the filter, but there is a AC Delco box. Question is...should there be info printed on the filter? Dan
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Re: Air cleaner filter
Dan-----
It depends what you're looking for----a "correct" air filter for judging purposes or just a functional replacement. If it's the former, original AC A212CW filters did have reference to that number either embossed or printed on the plastic ends of the filter. I believe those in the 1966 to ABOUT 1969 era were embossed, with later printed in white.
If you're just looking for a functional replacement, you can still purchase this filter from GM or AC Delco dealers. The current filters are no longer manufactured by GM or AC Delco, though, and may not have any reference to type number or AC Delco on the ends, but will be in an AC Delco box. Perhaps that is what the seller you are referring to has for sale.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Air cleaner filter
Generally, "correct" A212CW elements require a home equity loan; most likely the one for sale is a later service replacement which will get at least a "configuration" deduction.Comment
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Re: Air cleaner filter
Daniel - If the filter is really an older AC A212CW air filter element in the original box, check the various applications and associated years. The older AC boxed listed the applications and the years of usage for the vehicle. Find the newest year of applications and the filter is either from that year or newer. For example if the box shows a Corvette application for the AC A212CW from 1965-1972 and there is an Oldsmobile application listed for an AC A212CW filter from 1970-1978 then the filter if it's the original to the box is either a 1978 or newer filter and would not be the configuration used in 1965 for the Corvette but would be functionally correct as an AC A212CW filter. PeteComment
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Re: Air cleaner filter
In the nomenclature AC212CW the W is for oil wetted. If you have an old enough filter catalog this will be shown there. The paper used in the original filters absorbed some of the oil; the box absorbed more of it. So a true original AC212CW in the box will stand out across the room without ever seeing the writing -- of course at the time there were other oil wetted filters, so an oil stained box is not a definitive clue, but it is a start.
Those are the kind of filters you will need a home equity loan for -- if the seller knows what he hasTerryComment
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Air cleaner filter
Dan,
You should also be aware that some e-bay sellers have 212CW filters listed for hundreds of dollars even though the filter is not period correct for a mid-year, for example.
GaryComment
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Re: Air cleaner filter
If you're looking for a 396 BB or a '66 AC212CW filter (maybe later ?) the configuration is important for the big $$$$. The box will give part # 6421746 and the AC #, but only an embossed (not painted white) # will appear on sealing edge of filter itself (pic). And mesh pattern is important. perfect square (not flattened "diamond") turned 45 degrees. You can see the soldered overlap in this pic.
Caution, as this same GM part # was used for square (not rotated 45 deg) filter mesh and diamond filters, depending on the year of manufacture. The earliest ones were as shown in the thumbnails.Comment
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A212CW Air cleaner filter; How much for a correct one?
Does anyone know of a recent sales price for a "real" A212CW as shown in Wayne's photos?
GaryComment
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Re: A212CW Air cleaner filter; How much for a correct one?
Beware at Carlisle this year someone was selling a real good copy of a 212 cheap so they may have found their way to E-Bay.Lyle
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Re: Air cleaner filter
Wayne,
Good to see another one out there.Comment
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Air cleaner filter; How good of a repro?
Lyle,
Was the repro you saw at Carlisle good enough to get fewer deducts than an incorrect GM part? If originals sell for perhaps thousands of dollars, it seems natural that someone would start making a good repro.
GaryComment
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Re: Air cleaner filter
In addition to the GR8 photos Wayne & Jody posted of their original AC A212CW air filters (Wayne & Jody thanks for taking the time to go to your Safety Deposit boxes at the bank and take these out to take pictures
), I have seen an original AC A212CW from a 66 Corvette with AC Spark Plug embossed in 1/4" or 5/16" characters on the black Plastisol surround. Neat pieces. Pete
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Re: Air cleaner filter
Pete,
How large is the vault you keep those radiator caps, wiper arms, holders and blades in? You & Joe always bring the best of the above items to the events I attend!
JBComment
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Re: Air cleaner filter
Somewhat related - I've got some recent chassis dyno test data (1967 "Special 300 HP" configuration) that shows a net loss of torque/power running without the air cleaner. The difference was small - averaging about one percent across the rev range, but it was there.
Earlier smaller SB air cleaners used prior to '66 may not follow suit since their smaller filter area yields greater loss through the filter.
The air cleaner base acts as a nozzle to smoothly accelerate the incoming air into the air horn with minimum turbulence, and the lack of this feature more than negates the loss through a generously sized cellulose air filter element.
DukeComment
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