MTFCA Forum

I found a free Air filter for my model T, they claim it improves fuel economy by 150 % when I got this tune-up kit from Amazon. Is this too good to be true? But seriously, would this work? Maybe add a drop of oil or a retaining screen?

Using a heat pipe will lessen top end speed by a bit. Choking the air flow with an additional foam obstruction would be much worse & more noticeable.
Would the foam melt? I think so. Might even seal the foam end & not allow any air.
Would make an interesting test. Without the pipe/with the pipe/pipe stuffed with foam.
Try it & check back.

Top end speed? I did it once while on a tour. The engine re-builder was present and he dared me to take him for a ride so he could see how fast my freshly rebuilt engine would. After that scary experience- I'll never do it again.

That scary experience was telling you your front end is needing a rebuild.
I got the same message once @ 55 on the freeway.
After the rebuild & canting the axle back a bit more, she runs straight arrow beyond that speed.
(Oops, I may have opened a can of worms.)

I've heard (or read) that even a single thickness of nylon stocking or panty hose works great. Just make sure your 'lady' isn't wearing them when you try it.

I use the foam filter the vendors sell. Don't use a heat pipe. Never had carburetor ice. I live in Michigan where the temperatures can range from desert to polar and humidity is in the range you'd think ice would form.

Carburetors designed to have a air filter have the bowl vent inside the air horn ( inlet ) this equalizes the pressure between the inlet & the bowl.
When you install a air filter on a carb with a bowl vent on the outside of the inlet it makes the ambient pressure on the bowl greater than the
inlet pressure of the carb & fuel needle & seat changing the fuel mixture. This is most noticeable @ high altitudes with a lose of power. The larger
the size of the filter the less this effects performance.
Craig.

OR

Hot air tube air filter

Post by Been Here Before » Wed Jul 17, 2024 10:55 am
Here is a question for the experts.

Those looking for an air filter, could the hot air tubs be filled loosely with a course gauze material, lightly oiled be used as a simple but effective air filter for dusty conditions?

I thought about that, as I have some I got for a sale but only to stop the foam from being sucked into the carb. A fine mesh cut into a circle fitting the carb opening might work. If the foam is moved down into the end close to the carb and holes are drilled just above the location of the foam's end would the heat issue be mitigated? Modifying the holes with a moveable cover could control the cold air ratio to warm for a beneficial temperature.

keen25 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:23 pm

I found a free Air filter for my model T, they claim it improves fuel economy by 150 % when I got this tune-up kit from Amazon. Is this too good to be true? But seriously, would this work? Maybe add a drop of oil or a retaining screen?

Yes, it's way too good to be true. Would it work? No. The hot air stove is not well enough sealed to direct all air flow through the foam. If it were well sealed, the foam most likely would never allow enough air to pass and would probably just choke the engine. (Especially if you added oil, as you proposed.)

I moved the filter to the end that goes into the carb, tested the flow and there is no noticeable reduction. Now that the cooler weather is here ( NJ). I will try it on my T. First a test on the fire risk after checking the rated temp. Then next a temperature decomposition test to try and mitigate carb contamination. The foam's size O.D. and its compression seemingly work, as it is fixed in place and not collapsing choking the flow.