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MG MGB Technical - SU Air Filter Problem

There is 1 1/4" clearance between the rear SU carb and the brake servo.

Was planning to fit K & N pancake filters, but cannot see how.

Read the archives but not sure, advice from earlier pioneers welcome.
Greg

Greg, K&N makes a cone shaped filter for this problem. Moss sells it for $65.00.
It works fine. Check their catalog.
Jerry
J W Hopkins

Only problem is I bought the pancake types thinking they were OK, and would like to avoid paying twice, if only to save face with you know who.

No, the guy I bought them off went bust so no refund.
Greg

Greg, sounds lke you need someone who has done it already to take a few measurements, so you know if you are fitting the correct thickness of filter.

It may also help if someone can measure their clearance between the carb and the servo to determine if that 1 1/4 you have is OK.

Seen lots of MG conversions at shows, all wearing these K & N filters etc, so there must be an answer.
John

Greg,

Victoria British has a 1" thick filter assy that's only $20USD. The filters are washable. Just received mine. I can't attest to the fit or performance as I have not yet installed them.

-mike
Mike Zaffarano

Sounds good, have seen conical filters also, but am reluctant to buy, and find they interfere as well.

Would there be any impact on the situation if the phenolic spacers were reduced by say half.

Will check out Victoria British in the meantime.
Greg

Greg,
I'm getting ready to make the same conversion so I have been researching all the BBS. A couple of other recommendations that I have read are the Stellings and Hellings as shown in Moss' current catalog on page 7 (listed at $28.95 each)and the LONGFLO air cleaners as shown in the current Victoria British catalog on page 46 (listed at $22.95 each)although the air filter on the back carburetor must be indented a bit. As already mentioned in this thread the K&N tapered filters are designed to solve this problem, but they are just very expensive (listed at $65.95 each). Regards.
Ken

Thanks Ken.

I was just hoping someone had come up with a technical workaround that would allow me to use the K & N filters I already have.

The idea of indenting the back carburetor filter is along the lines I was thinking of, plus tweaking those phenolic filters.
Greg

The K&N conical filters are the way to go. The airflow through those pancakes were never to my liking. I have a few pictures of the setup and clearance shots on my web page. http://www.pointerfamily.com/family/mg.htm
Josh Pointer

I retrofitted the power brake booster and pedal box from a '77 onto my '69 and had the same issue. At first I used a cut down filter for the rear carb but I decided the filters (foam) weren't good for the engine as foam can let in particles. Went to the coned K & Ns and they fit (just). Its tight and actually comes into contact with the booster but I feel alot better about the filtration and longevity of my engine.
Luigi

I agree with Luigi. I realized that the pancake filters are so thin they must be very non-obstructive (porous) in order to allow for proper air flow. The only way to do this is to open the foam cells. This will allow larger particles than desired to enter the engine.

I am investigating other options.
Mike Zaffarano

I've actually found that using a long oval style filter system works well for tight fits. (it connects to both carbs and offers easier removal and replacement.) PlanetPerformance.com had the filter and covers for the twin SU Carbs but they discontinued that product a few months back, but with a little searching you can find it, or build it yourself if you find it easier.

CJ
CJD Dark

Thanks for your help so far.
Greg

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2004 and 19/01/2004

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.