Correct 69 air filter element

[Greg L.]

The latest TIM&JG states that it was unknown which type of air filter was used for 69 quadrajet cars at it's time of printing. Does anyone know today which is correct, the bias mesh or the vertical mesh and who had the best repro of it? Also, is there any way to replace the silk-screen label under the lid?
Once again, thanks.

[Jack H.]

Re: Correct 69 air filter element

Replacing the silk screen label on the bottom of original air cleaners and doing it 'right' is kind of a labor of love... You find a local silk screen shop, let them size & photograph the original text, pay for labor to hand edit & correct/true the digital picture of the original text and they make a fresh new screen template to replace the original once you're done having the lid re-chromed or re-painted as the case may be.

You can avoid the expense of 'tooling' if you ask around your local chapter to see if someone else has tooled a local silk screen shop for this service OR if you can gather others with the same job to 'group' together for a common run.

[Terry M.]

Re: Correct 69 air filter element

Making an acceptable screen is truly a labor of love. I couldn't find anyone who could overcome the reflective surface to make a useable photograph, but perhaps I wasn't diligent enough. I was also trying before digital photography was common. A screen with words made by a computer will have each line a different length than the original -- a common problem with many reproduction labels. One will have to decide if close enough is good enough, or how much time, money and effort one wishes to expend for the last 5 to 10% accuracy. Don't expect the endeavor to be economical, or quick.

At one time a lid with silk screen was available from Paragon. I haven't looked at their catalog lately to see if it is still listed. At the time it first became available (when I was still 1970-72 team leader) the font was narrower than original and detectable as a reproduction -- of course that still judges better than no screen. They may have upgraded the screen by now, or one is back to the question of how close is good enough.

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct 69 air filter element

greg-----

I believe that 1969 might have been a year of change relative to the precise configuration of the AC 212CW air filter. I'm pretty sure that at the beginning of the year the filter was a bias mesh or "diamond" pattern "soldered wire" configuration. The filter material was an oil impregnated paper with an obvious "oiled" appearance and a somewhat yellowish coloration.

By the end of the model year (December, 1969), I think that the wire mesh configuration had changed to, depending upon how one wants to describe it, the "horizontal-vertical" or "squares-on-end" configuration. The filtering material remained the same. I do not know when the change in the screen mesh occurred, but I have a strong suspicion that it occurred VERY late in the model year.

I do not remember, for sure, which mesh filter that was originally installed on my mid-September,1969 small block. However, I DO remember that when I purchased the first replacement, it was DIFFERENT than the one I replaced. Certainly, I would have replaced the filter during the first year of ownership and I know, for sure, that the "horizontal-vertical" mesh was the style sold in SERVICE by GM/Delco during the 70-72, or so, period. So, this leads me to conclude that the original filter was the bias mesh or "diamond" pattern configuration.

No Corvette, at least through 1971 and likely through 1972, ever originally used an EXPANDED METAL type AC 212CW filter.

[Terry M.]

Adendum

Oops. I failed to note 1969. My bad. The 1969 silk screen is a different configuration for most, and maybe all of the model year than what I was thinking of. The info on the reproduction I posted above is for 1970-72 -- a screen with the lines in block form. The 1969 screen has curved lines for most, and maybe all of the year.

Sorry for my brain fart.

I don't know about the availibility of the 1969 style screen, but the information about making one's own screen is valid.

[Dennis D.]

Re: Correct 69 air filter element

Check out Juliets site. She has a few good pics and info on the element.
http://1970corvetteregistry.org Then click:resources/photographic library/machanical.

[Greg L.]

Re: Correct 69 air filter element

I just noticed that Paragon does silk screening so maybe I'll give them a try and while I'm at it get one of the bias type filters. There are no NCRS chapters anywhere near me here in Calgary so I'm basicaly doing this all on my own and with the help all of you guys!