Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-13-2021, 09:54 AM   #1
DRG-ler
Senior Member
 
DRG-ler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Berlin / Germany
Posts: 182
Default Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Hi Guys


I am interested in the question of what type of air filter was installed on the carburettor in the A's with right-hand drive ?! For the normal, the steering gear would be in the way. The cars won't have driven without an air filter. What solution did Henry Ford find here?



Greetings from Berlin

Andy
DRG-ler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 11:41 AM   #2
john charlton
Senior Member
 
john charlton's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,304
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Henry Ford did not have a solution because air filters were not fitted when new . The ones you see on cars today are after market and not original fitment . I have RHD cars and have no airfilters as in England we do not have a dust problem .I do not think you would need one in Germany .If you do fit an air filter the carb. jets have to be adjusted to avoid running rich . Some RHD cars here have been fitted with convoluted plastic piping I think it is not worth the bother . I do have a LHD p/u in dusty Arizona and it seems very happy with no filter . Most other cars there I have seen have no filter .

John in very very cold Suffolk County England .
john charlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 02-13-2021, 12:26 PM   #3
McMimmcs
Senior Member
 
McMimmcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Fort Gratiot, Michigan
Posts: 2,296
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Unless driving on very dusty roads it’s my opinion that an air filter is a proverbial pain in the ass! And besides that it takes away the originality of the car. Wayne
McMimmcs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 02:37 PM   #4
woofa.express
Senior Member
 
woofa.express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,744
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?


I run air filters on 2 of my A’s, both purchased from an A supplier, (the filters that is, not the A’s). One uses foam, the other metal gauze. The foam a better filter but it probably acts as a chokes a little. The gauze will keep out cigarette butts and bottle tops. I had an exhaust shop fit it. A rhd is a little congested because the steering column and box is on the right.

I do drive on dirt or gravel roads although not often. Yes I do wonder if they (the air filters that is) are necessary.
__________________
I know many things,
But I don't know everything,
Sometimes I forget things.

And there are times when I have a long memory.
woofa.express is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 02:52 PM   #5
DRG-ler
Senior Member
 
DRG-ler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Berlin / Germany
Posts: 182
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Thank you, learned something again. I had thought there was a better solution than the dripping air filter next to the exhaust, but I had no idea that the better solution would be to do without the filter. I admit the air filter is very rough. It really only keeps away flying birds.
DRG-ler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 05:51 PM   #6
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
There are many things on a RHD car that Henry either didn't consider or didn't find an answer to. An air filter is one. I sometimes wonder if his decision not to fit an air cleaner on any Model A was influenced by that.
Even on the B motor when he had well over 30 years of experience (problems) with it, he screwed it up. The larger B carburettor had to be savagely cut away at the intake almost back to the choke shaft because it fouled the steering box. An absurd oversight that should have resulted in someone in the design department being sacked, IMO.
There used to be an air cleaner available that did a U turn under the carby, then came upwards a bit to the actual cleaner mounted at the front of the valve chamber cover but they can't be used with one of those full flow oil filters. Another oversight by people who know nothing but LHD cars! I get around it by making a short convoluted manifold that comes upwards and out between the steering column and the choke rod. A flexible hose then connects to a modern paper element air cleaner mounted on the radiator stays.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 06:53 PM   #7
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Maybe after all was said and done in the engineering department, the right hand drive car was an after thought?
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 08:22 PM   #8
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth View Post
Maybe after all was said and done in the engineering department, the right hand drive car was an after thought?
No, I don't believe so. Up till the Model T, all American cars including his own were RHD so it was nothing new. Henry had been selling Model Ts into RHD countries for years when the A came out and he set up manufacturing plants in RHD countries especially for those markets. He wouldn't have done that if it were an afterthought. Besides, at that time, about 1/2 the cars in the world were RHD, half LHD. IMO, just a very insular view of the world.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

Last edited by Synchro909; 02-13-2021 at 09:11 PM.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 09:27 PM   #9
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
No, I don't believe so. Up till the Model T, all American cars including his own were RHD so it was nothing new. Henry had been selling Model Ts into RHD countries for years when the A came out and he set up manufacturing plants in RHD countries especially for those markets. He wouldn't have done that if it were an afterthought. Besides, at that time, about 1/2 the cars in the world were RHD, half LHD. IMO, just a very insular view of the world.
Dude, chill. I was just joking. See the little eye rolls,
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 09:34 PM   #10
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruth View Post
dude, chill. I was just joking. See the little eye rolls,
pm.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2021, 11:12 PM   #11
Brad in Germany
Senior Member
 
Brad in Germany's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Potomac, Maryland
Posts: 909
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DRG-ler View Post
Hi Guys

I am interested in the question of what type of air filter was installed on the carburettor in the A's with right-hand drive ?! For the normal, the steering gear would be in the way. The cars won't have driven without an air filter. What solution did Henry Ford find here?

Greetings from Berlin

Andy

Helau Andy,

As mentioned in the previous replies, air filters were not original to the Ford Model A, no matter where in the world they were sold.

However, if you are anyway looking for a solution, Early Ford Parts of New Zealand offers an "air cleaner" for a RHD Model A:


....and mounted on the carburetor:

Note that it has a support bracket by the filter end that attaches to the valve cover bolt.

They also provide fitting instructions to properly install their filter - click this link.

MfG (mit Ford Grüßen) aus den USA,
Brad in Maryland

PS: Alaaf !!

Last edited by Brad in Germany; 02-13-2021 at 11:31 PM.
Brad in Germany is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 12:18 AM   #12
Manuel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ACT Australia
Posts: 506
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

When I bought my RHD 34 it came with an air cleaner. It goes UP from the carby and sits above the head with a little bracket that attaches to one of the head studs.
I doubt it is an aftermarket fitting as the previous owner was not the sort of person that bought such things.

Manuel in Oz
Manuel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 02:18 AM   #13
DRG-ler
Senior Member
 
DRG-ler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Berlin / Germany
Posts: 182
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Well, how many previous owners has the car had since 1934? Maybe someone retrofitted something beforehand. 87 years is a long time.
DRG-ler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 03:05 AM   #14
Bick in New Zealand
Senior Member
 
Bick in New Zealand's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napier New Zealand
Posts: 931
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

According to my August 1931 Ford of Canada parts book, they offered a R.H.D air filter. It was part number AF- 18500 Air Filter R.H.D 3 1/2 diameter model, A & AA R.H.D.
__________________
1928 Roadster (CA67)
1931 Deluxe Coupe RHD
1931 Victoria RHD


Model A's don't leak oil they just mark their territory.
Bick in New Zealand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 03:35 AM   #15
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bick in New Zealand View Post
According to my August 1931 Ford of Canada parts book, they offered a R.H.D air filter. It was part number AF- 18500 Air Filter R.H.D 3 1/2 diameter model, A & AA R.H.D.
That would be an interesting thing to see. I doubt any would still be in captivity.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 05:49 AM   #16
Manuel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ACT Australia
Posts: 506
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

After a bit of searching I found this listing in the Aus Parts Book.
But no pics or measurements unfortunately.

"40-4 BB-4 Air cleaner and silencer (copper mesh) assembly (4 cyl) 1934"
Manuel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 11:07 AM   #17
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,004
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manuel View Post
When I bought my RHD 34 it came with an air cleaner. It goes UP from the carby and sits above the head with a little bracket that attaches to one of the head studs.
I doubt it is an aftermarket fitting as the previous owner was not the sort of person that bought such things.

Manuel in Oz
How about a picture?
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 03:54 PM   #18
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

I can't see how they could put an air filter on a B engine in a RHD car. The whole thing is so poorly conceived that they had to cut away the intake almost back to the choke shaft to clear the steering box as an afterthought.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2021, 10:13 PM   #19
quickchange
Senior Member
 
quickchange's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nelson. New Zealand
Posts: 1,999
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

The one shown above designed by previous owner in my mind his a heap of crap, serious restrictions , have couple here than are going in the rubbish tin ,Snyders do sell an expensive one that has its intake above head line , Have had a couple for customers, They work very well , any restrictions & the A will drink fuel, probably not needed, Seen a few home made ones, by using pvc elbows etc to get up from S /box, Mainly used for deep water crossings on some irishmans rallies ??
quickchange is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2021, 05:57 PM   #20
Bick in New Zealand
Senior Member
 
Bick in New Zealand's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napier New Zealand
Posts: 931
Default Re: Air filter for right-hand drive vehicles?

After an exhaustive search on my old computer, I found these photos I took at the 13th National Model A Rally here in NZ. From memory this was in a roadster pickup. I wonder if this is the elusive AF- 18500 Air Filter as the plate on it says East Windsor Ontario.
_______________
Attached Images
File Type: jpg wanaka 136.jpg (100.9 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg wanaka 134.jpg (83.1 KB, 55 views)
__________________
1928 Roadster (CA67)
1931 Deluxe Coupe RHD
1931 Victoria RHD


Model A's don't leak oil they just mark their territory.
Bick in New Zealand is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:10 AM.