Air cleaner filter

[William C.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

That's why a lot of the old Stock Class drag racers used the lower base to the aircleaner even though it was not "required" by the rules.

[Wayne M.]

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 . Pete

Pete -- "Safety Deposit Box" --- I wish . The only safety deposit box I have is my computer hard drive. I collect pictures over the years off eBay sellers, and this is one of them. Haven't had the time over the past year to follow eBay prices.

Here's 3 more eBay "square mesh", 6421746's, but not rotated at 45 degrees. The first one went for $586; the 2nd for $450 and the last for $472. This was in the auction time period 2006 to 2008.

I dunno, was this the next design of A212CW, and is required for the Camaro guys ? They're the only ones crazy enough to pay these prices . Do the '67's or later Corvettes call for these ?

[Peter L.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Wayne - All of these are example of AC A212Cw air filters from 1973/1974 or so because the earlier ones with the square mesh had "BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR ENGINE......." silk screened on the back Plastisol material. Pete

[Terry M.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Then there are those of us who believe the OEM AC212CW filters for the 11970-72 time period should have an expanded metal mesh outer screen. These were PRODUCTION filters not available in a box.

[Rick S.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Pete,
I had an old "car guy" friend, knowing I had a 67, give me what he thought was a correct Corvette air filter. It is not embossed anywhere on the black Plastisol surround. It does have a white silk screen with the wording " Best way to protect your engine- replace with AC type A212CW". It does have the square mesh and a yellowish paper element. I do not have a box. I would like to have your thoughts if it is authentic.
Regards,
Rick

[Duke W.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Please tell me more of this "Special 300HP" tests as I own one of these ultra rare base engine cars.

You should find some information in the archives. Though somewhat incomplete, the test results are in and there will probably be an article in The Corvette Restorer about this project next year.

Being as how the source for the required custom camshafts, Crane, is no longer around in their former form, the subject may now only be of academic interest. Crane is the only source I know of for the OE lobe masters that were required to grind the cams. The new owner of most of Crane's tooling claim that they will again offer automotive camshafts, but whether they will be able/willing to grind these cams remains to be seen.

Duke

[Jeff A.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Pete,
I had an old "car guy" friend, knowing I had a 67, give me what he thought was a correct Corvette air filter. It is not embossed anywhere on the black Plastisol surround. It does have a white silk screen with the wording " Best way to protect your engine- replace with AC type A212CW". It does have the square mesh and a yellowish paper element. I do not have a box. I would like to have your thoughts if it is authentic.
Regards,
Rick

Rick,
That looks like a Paragon repop. However, I'm not sure how close it is to an original. Maybe someone else will chime in.
Jeff

[Wayne M.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Then there are those of us who believe the OEM AC212CW filters for the 11970-72 time period should have an expanded metal mesh outer screen. These were PRODUCTION filters not available in a box.

Terry -- could this be one of what you mention ?; ie. the mesh is not circular wire, but rather a flat stock (kind of rectangular X-section) that is narrow when viewed straight on from the front, but slightly wider when viewed at an angle.

Pete L. --- No "Best Way ... " on this one. Have no idea where I got it, but has to be post-1989. Incredibly, GM is still selling these under the same part # as in 1965 (different configurations, though ).

[Peter L.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Rick - I agree with Jeff on it probably being a Paragon piece. I tried to find the one I bought from Paragon years ago to confirm my answer and I know it's around somewhere but I couldn't locate it. Anyway, aside of the not having the embossed AC filter number on the Plastisol, another telling feature is the detail where the outer support pieces come together. The original AC A212CW filters have a long woven "elegant" junction while the all reproductions I have seen have a short "abrupt" junction. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Wayne - I bought some of those in around that same time frame, late 80s/early 90s. I checked the boxes I have and 1979 was the latest application date for Olds & Cadillacs.

I recall seeing at least one of the filters Terry is referring to. If I recall correctly it was a piece that the owner of a 70(?) LT1 had in the back of the car and showed to Terry and me at a VetteFest years ago. He said the original owner of the car gave it to him when he bought the car and said it was the original air filer. It was in pretty rough shape as some rodent had tried to make it his home. The outer support expanded metal mesh was a heavier material and did not have the bright finish as found on the newer versions with the spread metal mesh outer support and it had "BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR ENGINE - REPLACE WITH AC TYPE A212CW" in white lettering on the Plastisol. Pete

[Terry M.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Wayne. As Pete said, I believe what you have is a later (after mid-1970s) REPLACEMENT.

Pete is describing one example of what I believe to be the originally installed AC212CW. I have seen another in the hands of a 1972 LT1 owner that had identical features to what Peter describes -- absent the rodent household. I have seen a third, but can't recall the exact circumstances. It is real hard to be definative for a Judging Guide based on such a small sampling, however.

[Terry M.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Here you go Wayne. I remembered where I saw the third example. It was a 1972 car with 250 miles. See this thread:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...68570&uid=3242

[John H.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

another telling feature is the detail where the outer support pieces come together. The original AC A212CW filters have a long woven "elegant" junction while the all reproductions I have seen have a short "abrupt" junction. Pete

Pete -

Like this?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

Attached are 2 photos of what I believe to be 3 original (at least I KNOW the 2 with diagonal wire mesh are originals because I still have the boxes) 212 air filters. The one with "Best way..." has the square mesh.
Jeff

[Peter L.]

Re: Air cleaner filter

John - To clarify, the junction where the support mesh ends mate on the original AC A212CWs I have seen have the rounded ends with the wire wrapping back around as in the photo you attached so there are no "straight" cut off wire ends as in the reproductions I have seen that have support mesh ends just cut off straight as in the picture Rick posted. Pete