Which Air Cleaner for a 2.25 petrol

[Lockmaker]

Hi all

Are there any any opinions on the pros / cons of using an original oil bath air cleaner vs a modern alternative such as a K&N?

We have a 1973 SWB 2.25 petrol with zenith 361V, it wont be 100% authentic / original restoration for a number of reasons.

We are missing an air cleaner all together but have been offered an old oil bath one in reasonable shape for $85, which is about the same as buying a K&N unit.

This will be a run around town truck on weekends and up the beach and camping a bit too, not really dusty work so wondering if better off with a modern filter for air flow?

Thanks for advice

A cheaper oil batch version might sway us but we've not found one yet

Richard

[JDNSW]

The K&N filters don't filter. Probably acceptable if you live in a wet climate and never go into the arid parts of Australia, but there has been a lot of discussion on these in this forum, and the consensus is that they are useless. The area you live in has spells when it will be too dusty for one of them, unless you stick strictly to bitumen, and even then a bit doubtful.

I would tend to use the original oil bath - must be a lot of these lying round unused. A proper paper filter could be adapted and fitted, but would be a lot more work.

John

[Lockmaker]

Thanks John I'll have a look at the older threads as well but really appreciate the advice on the k&n, we're new to this

Sent from my E2053 using AULRO mobile app

[JDNSW]

Ho-hars (on this forum, near Logan) are close to you and are certain to have a good choice of these.

John

[russellrovers]

Thanks John I'll have a look at the older threads as well but really appreciate the advice on the k&n, we're new to this

Sent from my E2053 using AULRO mobile appjohn have them here atagood price jim destocking all s2 and 3 body parts engines steering boxs gear boxs and chassi parts

[Dark61]

Apart from what's better and what's worse ,I like the look of the old oil bath job. Nothing looks worse to me than when you open up a bonnet and don't see one.
cheers,
D

[isuzurover]

In terms of what is the best filter, the order of preference should be:

1. Modern off-highway filter assembly (dual stage filter with cyclone).
2. Modern barrel filter assembly with integral cyclone - e.g. 200tdi and 300Tdi defender
3. Modern flat panel filter e.g. Disco 300Tdi
4. Original Oil bath
...
5. A vacuum cleaner bag
6. A stocking
7. A pink batt
8. A chunk of foam mattress
9. Anything that remotely resembles a filter
...
10. K&N

[B.S.F.]

In terms of what is the best filter, the order of preference should be:

1. Modern off-highway filter assembly (dual stage filter with cyclone).
2. Modern barrel filter assembly with integral cyclone - e.g. 200tdi and 300Tdi defender
3. Modern flat panel filter e.g. Disco 300Tdi
4. Original Oil bath
...
5. A vacuum cleaner bag
6. A stocking
7. A pink batt
8. A chunk of foam mattress
9. Anything that remotely resembles a filter
...
10. K&N
Is this your personal choice, if not whose is it?
.W.

[Homestar]

Is this your personal choice, if not whose is it?
.W.

Not only his choice but he has done the science behind it, and is without doubt one of the most experienced people around in this field. I'd take his word as gospel personally but it's your choice at the end of the day.

If you do a bit of searching you'll find some threads on this and I think there are some results showing what size particulates get through and what sort of intake restriction they have - I'm about to go camping for the weekend otherwise I'd dig them up for you :)

[Homestar]

Hi all

Are there any any opinions on the pros / cons of using an original oil bath air cleaner vs a modern alternative such as a K&N?

We have a 1973 SWB 2.25 petrol with zenith 361V, it wont be 100% authentic / original restoration for a number of reasons.

We are missing an air cleaner all together but have been offered an old oil bath one in reasonable shape for $85, which is about the same as buying a K&N unit.

This will be a run around town truck on weekends and up the beach and camping a bit too, not really dusty work so wondering if better off with a modern filter for air flow?

Thanks for advice

A cheaper oil batch version might sway us but we've not found one yet

Richard

I have a couple of oil bath filters I won't be using - both are complete but need a clean, de rust (surface rust) and a paint. I'll happily box one up and you can have it for the price of the freight.

[isuzurover]

Is this your personal choice, if not whose is it?
.W.

That is my considered opinion based on 16 years of filter R&D working with some of the world's biggest filter manufacturers.

[JDNSW]

I can't remember, did you ever get to actually run tests on the oil bath filter?

John

[Lockmaker]

Thank you very much for the offer, I will send you a PM

Sent from my E2053 using AULRO mobile app

[DazzaTD5]

In terms of what is the best filter, the order of preference should be:

1. Modern off-highway filter assembly (dual stage filter with cyclone).
2. Modern barrel filter assembly with integral cyclone - e.g. 200tdi and 300Tdi defender
3. Modern flat panel filter e.g. Disco 300Tdi
4. Original Oil bath
...
5. A vacuum cleaner bag
6. A stocking
7. A pink batt
8. A chunk of foam mattress
9. Anything that remotely resembles a filter
...
10. K&N

Just some added info and not overly relevant to the OP...
Any mechanic/service tech/owner operator that has worked out in the field in any heavy or industrial equipment industry would look at the above list and say its spot on.

Get into extreme dust environments such as any ground engaging equipment (loaders, excavators, bobcats etc etc) and the difference between the top two filter setups compared to anything less on the list and it becomes very obvious.

I've had a flat panel filter become so blocked so quickly that the vehicle (hilux diesel) went into limp mode and basically stopped.

The oil bath filter rates remarkably high and would certainly be my pref on the old series Landies

Regards
Daz

[Blknight.aus]

Cmon guys, lets go easy on K&N,

When its all said and done they do make a nice bird cage

[isuzurover]

I can't remember, did you ever get to actually run tests on the oil bath filter?

John

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/08/1033.jpg

[Lockmaker]

Thanks Homestar that's a great offer, will drop you a PM! much appreciated!!

[Lockmaker]

Hi everyone

Thank you very much for the advice to use newbies on the air-filter, really appreciated.

All the best, Richard

[DiscoClax]

My personal experience with factory paper vs K&N on a flat-panel Disco 1 V8. Paper seemed to keep the downstream ducting clean and clear and I never had an issue. After a 6000km round trip from central Vic up to Oodnadatta, then to Old Andado, across the Simpson and back along the Birdsville track I can tell you that the ducting and MAF was well covered in a fine layer of talc-fine dust. The leading edges of any convolutions, etc had a heavier build-up. The filter stopped the bigger bits very well (it was reasonably filthy), but I suspect the small-particle filtration is not up to snuff - however I haven't seen any independent test results to confirm that. Note that the filter was run as-received from K&N (pre-oiled).

The K&N is now cleaned, oiled... and wrapped in a plastic bag back in it's original box on the shelf. A paper filter is back in the airbox, and will remain.

The K&Ns have a potential advantage in that if they get a gob-full of water they tend to hold up well structurally, block the airflow, and stall the engine, rather than collapsing completely and allowing a 'very bad result'. I saw this first hand many years ago on a mate's Jeep. However placing some sort of reinforcement steel mesh over the paper panel could/should achieve a similar effect.

[isuzurover]

...I saw this first hand many years ago on a mate's Jeep. ...

The resins used to treat cellulose (paper) filter media have improved significantly since then. The water resistance and structural integrity of quality cellulose media is improving all the time.

Many manufacturers also offer synthetic (polymer) fibre media as well. Lots of filters look similar to cellulose/paper media but are actually made from synthetic fibres - or a mix of the two.

[Gerokent]

Paper is a lot cleaner :)