A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

[Ronald L.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Depending upon your location, most any NCRS show, especially the National, will have a couple of these.
Unfortunately the blindness exists and the 66/67 version is rarely seen, and even rarer yet, the 68 version...

[Ronald L.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

IMG_0215.jpgHere is the 1966 change. The mix of the 65 and 66 version would continue until '68 model year.

The fancy lettering of the AC A212CW would change because you could not print BEST WAY TO PROTECT on a very uneven surface.

Next up - someone can post a '68 version...

[Ronald L.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Mike, That '74 dated version which started into production in 1973MY would never be something entering St Louis asy, by then Corvette was using different filter sizes.

Hi John,

My friend and I were just discussing square mesh A212CW filter elements the other day. Sorry, I don't have the dimensions of the mesh openings. But maybe this thread of yours will evolve and answer questions that I have about the square mesh version of the AC A212CW filter element. I've done a fair bit of research on these filters and I found a few helpful threads in the Technical Discussion Archives. Readers of this thread may want to search the following threads:

"212CW air filter - what does the real thing look like?" Started by you a few months back.
"67 air cleaner element." Started by Neal Kalis September 2013.
"Need pictures of a 1966 original AC A212CW air cleaner filter." Started by Dominic Presty December 2016.

All 3 threads have excellent close-up photos.

My 1966 Judging Guide states that the proper element is "coarse, galvanized diagonal-patterned mesh, outside wire screen, and a fine mesh inside wire screen." So I've always assumed that the earliest filter elements were diagonal mesh followed later by the square mesh type elements. I'd like to know when the square mesh type filters began being introduced into service? That's my main question.

Check out these photos the seller from a recent auction on eBay posted there. There were six available. Each one sold for about $435 a pop. Thinking I missed that boat? They were very nice. Take care. Mike

[ATTACH=CONFIG]115402[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]115401[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]115403[/ATTACH]

[Steve B.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Ron, so the filter that John Daly posted is the 67 version and the smaller raised lettering is the 65/66 version or were the two basically interchangeable during the 65/67 time frame? Sorry if this has been answered before, I did multiple searches and could not find the answer.

[John M.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Ronald, The air filter that I had in mind when starting this thread was for a 66, 350 HP. You mention the "best way to protect" script ? At what period did that particular iteration appear? I have seen images of filters with that on them (seemed to be in white ink) but the entire history of this part and how it morphed over the years has to be an interesting and not well known story. I can see that having the correct item is extremely difficult due to rarity and the fact that hardly anyone knows what is correct for the various years. Maybe in the future the judging guides will be able to show the proper filter for the various years. Maybe this forum discussion will spark an interest in what is what for these parts. And yes, I plan to attend the NCRS affair at French Lick this summer and maybe be able to get a peek at exactly what is correct for a 66. Meanwhile perhaps more images of the A212CW will show up on this thread along with a narrative of the changes. Oh, using the search feature searching for AC212, as you suggested, has returned nothing - maybe I am doing something wrong when searching?

[Gary B.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Try searching for A212CW, not AC212.

Gary

[Ronald L.]

[Mike B.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Ronald,

Thanks for the clarification of the timeline when that '74 filter element entered service. I found your posts on those other 10 year old threads on this subject. Really good stuff! Maybe you can write an article in the Restorer about the version history of the AC A212CW element? Mike

[Jeff P.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

I purchased this filter 10 years ago for my 68. Almost ready to display it. Lol. Box I believe is dated 73 ? 860A0F1E-6BCA-4690-9C26-06EE789304B9.jpg860A0F1E-6BCA-4690-9C26-06EE789304B9.jpgF2EBF0CF-2868-43A1-9E08-A3257CE5DC7A.jpgDC4BD322-65AE-405C-AF82-10ACCB2E41B4.jpg

[Mike B.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for posting these photos. Any chance for a photo of the filter flipped over and a separate shot of the box flipped as well? I for one would very much appreciate that.

Mike

I purchased this filter 10 years ago for my 68. Almost ready to display it. Lol. Box I believe is dated 73 ? [ATTACH=CONFIG]115472[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]115472[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]115473[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]115474[/ATTACH]

[Jeff P.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Sure Mike , F870C666-B7CD-4907-8308-871DB340F20E.jpg8B934B26-47B5-43BD-B9B2-1CA17E81D81B.jpg32F18520-3F4C-4E45-8BA9-AF774A61A3FE.jpgbad rotation on the pictures.

[Mike B.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for posting these clear shots of your '73 dated box & filter. Excellent info. I've been putting together discussion snips with supporting photos of the evolution of the AC A212CW filter element for a '65 through '75 timeline. Trying to educate myself of how this part changed through the years. Much appreciated. Mike

[Jeff P.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Your welcome Mike. Glad to help.

[Matt L.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

Hello all,
If you search you should be able to find pictures of mine from my 66 Bowtie car. Ronald Lovelace, Steve Bramati, and Gary Beaupre can testify to mine being original. All my pictures are on an old laptop or I would share.
Take care,
Matt

[John M.]

Re: A212CW air filter square mesh wire particulars

This has been very educational! Never paid much attention to the details of an air filter since it was just a disposable item - used for a while and tossed! The dialog and the photos were great. Looks as if finding a filter for a specific time frame is near impossible but knowing what to look for is invaluable. Maybe an article for the "restorer" can be submitted for publication using some of the knowledge shared in this thread. Thanks to everyone who contributed.