air filter identification

[tom collingwood]

I have these air fliters in my parts stash. Two are taller then the rest. Some have smaller diameter. I also have two large cans.
Anybody know what they are correct for?

[Mike Wilson]

All for Zenith carbs. Black canister types I think were for very late A's or T-5's to the C's. Exceptions would be Super 90's and SC's.
Round mesh type early to A's. The double dome top I think is for an industrial engine.

Guys: please correct me if I'm wrong!

Mike

[Ed Pimm]

Black are Zenith, Large diameter mesh Zenith, Smaller diameter mesh are Solex 32 or 40 depending on height.

[Mike Wilson]

Thanks for that clarification, Ed. I forgot about the 32's and 40's.

Mike

[Vic Skirmants]

Large diameter mesh; Zenith or Solex 40. Small diameter mesh; Solex 32; unless the mounting hole is larger; then Solex 40. But I don't think I've ever seen one of those.

[tom collingwood]

i have these two sets of air filters that both fit on my Solex 32. (the other sets are larger for a different carb)

one set is taller then the other and they both fit th solex.
What is the reason for the different height?

[James Davies]

For your Solex 32 Knechts, the taller ones are for pre-A cars, the shorter ones for 356A. The intake manifolds were taller on the 356A for the Solex 32 carbs, so therefore they shortened the filter to make the overall height roughly the same. Some short ones were used in 1952 as well, but yours are 356A for 616/1 motor given the logo and writing on top. The other two sets you have that fit Solex 32 and are tall are for bent-window pre-As.

[Vic Skirmants]

James; would the short 1952 32mm filters be for those early 1500 engines that used an extension on top of the short manifold?

[C J Murray]

The Solex single barrel 40mm air filter fits the 1958(and later) Zenith carbs. !959 started the black can with a real filter inside but 1959 had 3 top clamps whereas 1960 and later cans had 2 clamps.

[Spencer Harris]

I put this spreadsheet together a few months ago as I was going through my collection of early Knecht mesh filters and trying to figure out what was what. The information comes mostly from old posts on the forum. Tall, short, large text, small text, no text, two lines, four lines - probably not 100% accurate, but a reasonable start. If someone spots an error or two please PM and I'll correct and re-post.

edit 03/14/22 correcting mushroom air filters to silver from early '52.

KNECHT 50-55.pdf

(545.21 KiB) Downloaded 5 times

[Jules Dielen]

I have a pair of tall skinny silver mesh for the wide solex 40 opening. Also fits on top of a zenith but it looks a little wonky. Same height as the later A filters, just a lot skinnier.

[James Davies]

Would love to see photos of those Jules.

[Dan Kalinski]

Rather than start a new thread, will post here on the change made to my '59 and replacing the " Knecht Sparrow Catchers" with a filter element. The tall blue elements are for my John Deere Back-Hoe/Loader and are the elements which fit internal to the big paper filter in tractor's filter canister.

Understand that these may present a fire hazard however, they are not oiled and should filter out the very fine particles. Always run the car with an extinguisher in it and believe this should be fine.

OD on the Zenith throat is 2-5/8" and that is the size of the opening of the filter. To further secure, used hose clamps at the base. They are plenty secure and as an added bonus, there is a very slight compression fit with the engine lid closed. Car seems to run fine and have not noticed any change in the engine sound....although, this car has a "sports" exhaust and is a bit loud anyway. Love the sound! Performance feels the same but certainly, it must be better!

[Ron LaDow]

Dan,
Why not get a set of the cans and use modern paper elements?

[Pete Indelicato]

nice truck, my brother used to have a silver aniversary one with a flat head v-8, drove like a diesel--I think it was a 1953