Air Filter mod. Paper to foam

Hi all

Have pulled apart the standard paper filter and fitted a foam core.
Comments please on this mod., I dont want to blow up my new engine.
Pictures are found in the photos section.

Procedure is:
1: Apply heat using gas torch the paper filter will seperate from the
case.
2: Cut foam to size and glue using Loctite 406 (super glue).
Cut the foam about 10mm wider so that as the filter is assembled it
gets compressed on the edges.
3: Drill holes and use 5mm threaded rod to hold the filter together.
Make sure you place the bolts (about 10mm) from the rubber sealing ring
so they miss everything.
4: Wait 24hours for the glue to harden.
5: Place some engine oil in a pan and use latex glove and massage oil
through the filter. A little kero to thin the oil may help.
Gday PK,

This OE oval filter was discussed here previously and I believe it was
agreed the filter as is can be washed and re-used successfully. Which is
good news, given how much they cost new. I have a Donaldson cleaning
powder detergent added for warm water washing Donaldson filter elements
and it seemed to wash the oval filter quite well, similar to the results
I have always had for my donaldson air filter system in my 76 T2 kombi.

Given there are many density grades of foam, how does one determine
which density would be most suited? Perhaps you compared it to something
else commercially available in an oil/sponge filter. Given your
pioneering spirit, I wish you well with this initiative and it proves to
be an economical and simple cleaning and recycling air filter solution.

Cheers.

Ken




--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" <kestel.p@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> Have pulled apart the standard paper filter and fitted a foam core.
> Comments please on this mod., I dont want to blow up my new engine.
> Pictures are found in the photos section.
>
> Procedure is:
> 1: Apply heat using gas torch the paper filter will seperate from the
> case.
> 2: Cut foam to size and glue using Loctite 406 (super glue).
> Cut the foam about 10mm wider so that as the filter is assembled it
> gets compressed on the edges.
> 3: Drill holes and use 5mm threaded rod to hold the filter together.
> Make sure you place the bolts (about 10mm) from the rubber sealing
ring
> so they miss everything.
> 4: Wait 24hours for the glue to harden.
> 5: Place some engine oil in a pan and use latex glove and massage oil
> through the filter. A little kero to thin the oil may help.
>
Peter

About 10 years ago I purchased a Finer Filter reusable/ cleanable filter designed
specifically for the Syncro. I have used it for the past 10 years (motor is still going strong
after 340,000 k's ) so it cant be too bad. The foam is soaked in finer filter blue oily stuff
after cleaning. There is however an inner and outer foam band, the outer of which can be
removed for cleaning. I am not sure why the inner band was designed to be non
removable , but as most of the dirt is already filtered out , I suppose they felt it didnt need
cleaning. I tried to purchase another spare foam outer band a couple of years ago was told
than Finer Filter has been taken over by Uni Filter and the part was no longer available.
They did suggest that if I sent them the dimensions of the filter that they could fabricate a
new band for under $20.00. Perhaps you could have a similar band made to your own
specifications. It was interesting to note that the whole unit when purchased was in fact a
converted used syncro paper air filter so I think you are on the right track.I have put an
image of the filter in the photos section. Hope it helps.
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" <kestel.p@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> Have pulled apart the standard paper filter and fitted a foam core.
> Comments please on this mod., I dont want to blow up my new engine.
> Pictures are found in the photos section.
>
> Procedure is:
> 1: Apply heat using gas torch the paper filter will seperate from the
> case.
> 2: Cut foam to size and glue using Loctite 406 (super glue).
> Cut the foam about 10mm wider so that as the filter is assembled it
> gets compressed on the edges.
> 3: Drill holes and use 5mm threaded rod to hold the filter together.
> Make sure you place the bolts (about 10mm) from the rubber sealing ring
> so they miss everything.
> 4: Wait 24hours for the glue to harden.
> 5: Place some engine oil in a pan and use latex glove and massage oil
> through the filter. A little kero to thin the oil may help.
>