Options for air filter brackets

[Curly]

Snyders carries the airmaze and hi-boy style brackets. I've always used the airmaze but the risk of dripping gas is a concern. Has anyone ever used the hi-boy style? how do you like it? Are their other options?

[plyfor]

We use the air maze holder (ours fits all carbs,perhaps with a little tweaking) with the K&N washable 5.5 " filter. Not affected by gas and clears the engine pans. As a side note, we've found the drip many times caused by improper float level and by not using a viton tipped float valve needle for the ethanol gas..

[AL in NY]

I use the Hi-Boy filter that Synders sells for that concern over dripping gas. It comes with a washable KN filter. Works very well and doesn't seem to change the air/fuel ratio very much.

[BNCHIEF]

X2

[Mickey]

Is the B carb. (Marvel) also prone to dripping?

[Mitch]

No carb is supposed to drip. The updraft setup will if the motor does not fire right away, because the fuel runs back down the hill

[AL in NY]

They're all prone to dripping if the float level is set too high or the inlet needle valve and seat are leaking as "plyfor" said above.

[Curly]

The hi-boy looks a bit "after market" for me but I think I will order one and give it a try.

[H. L. Chauvin]

One (1) opinion:

Hi-Boy = No highly combustible wet gasoline soaked air filter = Life Safety ..... that is ..... "if" Life Safety and/or Model A safety appears important ..... plus the K & N website has very interesting technical, engine air filtering information written in easy to understand laymen's terms if interested.

[plyfor]

Good point, however the K&N is not paper and is washable, etc. So far no issues (probably due to no throat leakage) and no air flow restriction. The small paper and mesh air maze filters did require minor carb adjustments for restrictions.

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW: Added note to reply No.7:

After 12 years of use with my Hi-Boy & never-cleaned 6" high x 3.5" diameter Model No. R-1050 K & N filter, I still average 20 mpg with my heavy Town Sedan traveling in stop & go traffic on back highways.

Just in case anyone is further interested in K & N filters, their tests indicate that on today's highways, their filters require washing & cleaning between 50,000 and 100,000 miles traveled, verified by seeing their filter wires with a simple visual inspection. Again, lots of information on their K & N website.

Also might add that when vintage oil bath filters were introduced on later farm tractors, outside air was drawn in from up high above the tractor hood, and this air suction-flowed downward and over a lower bath of oil.

Many heavy dust and silica particles, heavier than air, fell downward, into this oil bath by the force of gravity, and remained in the oil bath; hence, far less heavier harmful dust was later introduced into the carburetor intake.

In the Model A engine compartment, a Hi-boy filter sits up high, farther to the rear, immediately adjacent to the metal fire wall, and theoretically may be surrounded by less heavy dust than the lower and more forward air filter attached to the lower carburetor which is closer to the dusty highway below & is more surrounded by air movement.

Sixty years ago when I bought my first well used Model A and later, I often heard from old professional, reliable vintage mechanics born prior to WWI that:

A. For early cars with no air filters/no oil filters on old dirt/gravel roads, approximately 8,000 miles was about average before, and/or between replacing, worn piston rings.

B. For cars, around 1940's, with oil bath filters/old vintage oil filters, on gravel roads/paved roads, about 40,000 miles before, and/or between replacing, worn piston rings.

C. Cars with modern large pleated paper filters/modern hi-tech oil filters, on modern paved roads, cars exceeded 100,000 miles before replacing worn piston rings and/or getting rid of cars because of other reasons.

Of utmost importance for 100% performance from "any" Model A engine is to have an air filter with a large enough outside air surface to provide ample, non-restricted "Free Air" movement into the carburetor intake.

Lots of the small, early Model A carburetor mounted paper filters offered were an engine performance disaster & fire hazard.

Just hope this helps for deciding on a Hi-Boy attachment.

[Curly]

It’s sure helps. Thanks.

[Nabco]

I put a HighBoy on last spring and really like it

[H. L. Chauvin]

And look ..... anyone who has fear of a Hi-Boy ..... and/or is worried about:

A. Possibly losing points at a Model A car show; and/or,

B. Some strict Model A Judge possibly later coming to inspect and buy one's Model A; and/or,

C. Some forever complaining, visiting non-detergent oil using Orthodox Model A owner with a patched, cracked steel radiator fan, five (5) 1930 may-pop tires with red rubber inner tubes from Indochina, and one 6V tail light:

Prior to these possible inspection(s), just remove the Hi-Boy air filter and hide it!

[carolinamudwalker]

Consider adding a lanyard or some backup means to keep the filter with the car in case it pops off the carb

[Curly]

Consider adding a lanyard or some backup means to keep the filter with the car in case it pops off the carb

It’s funny you mentioned this. I was thinking the same thing. I was returning from an overnighter last summer and heard a light thump under the car, I was on the freeway so I thought I might have hit some road debris. I got home and my $60 K&M filter was gone!! A lanyard would have saved it.

[Curly]

Necessity is the mother of invention.

[Curly]

[Curly]