Best air cleaner element solution

[Stephen W.]

"66 327-350 'Vert #1241-- At judging, I lost 10 points (5+5) for a "NAPA" air cleaner element. What's the best, cost effective way to get the most points and where can I get it? I dont think I'm willing to go NOS--
for hundreds of dollars, but what about reconditioned OE vs repro?




thanks

[Ara G.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Stephen, check archives for detailed answers on a lot of your post/questions. Regarding the air filter - NOS ones are a hell of a lot more than a few hundred dollars....Trust me...Try thousands....I think one of the big reproduction companies at least makes one that has the correct square mesh on the diagonal which is about the best you're going to do without having/finding/buying an original one...Welcome to the club! There are some very very intelligent guys and gals on this site.....so knowledge and help won't be in short supply....ARA

[Michael H.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

The 10 point deduct sure sounds excessive, did someone make a mistake ?

Mike

[Gary B.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

The 10 point deduct sure sounds excessive, did someone make a mistake ?

Mike

Mike,

I agree that a total deduct on originality sounds harsh. Using the matrix system, one would think that there wouldn't be a deduct for installation of a Napa vs. original air filter. In which case, one would get 20% for originality based on the installation category, which would then allow some points for condition. I could see how finish, date, configuration and completeness might garner deducts for a NAPA filter, but that just gets one up to an 80% deduct, not 100%.

Gary

[John D.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

I use the current AC-Delco replacement filter which should get more points than a NAPA filter...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/acf-a212cw

[Paul O.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

The full point deduction is correct for a non AC Delco filter. For all filters it must be a AC Delco Air,Oil etc. or the item receives the full deduction.

[Gary B.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

The full point deduction is correct for a non AC Delco filter. For all filters it must be a AC Delco Air,Oil etc. or the item receives the full deduction.

Well, I learned something today!

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

The full point deduction is correct for a non AC Delco filter. For all filters it must be a AC Delco Air,Oil etc. or the item receives the full deduction.

Paul,

Is the 100% deduction based on item 10 in the standard deduction section of the judging reference manual "Non-GM replacement parts which are incorrect are subject to a 100% deduction on both originality and condition"?

Gary

[Paul O.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Gary

What addition of the Judging Reference Manual do you have in the 8th addition Section 4 Standard Deductions line item 13 is for GM service replacement , GM licensed Reproduction and Non-OEM parts. Items that are significantly different then original parts will receive a 100% deduction. A NAPA, Fram, Purolator and etc. will have a significant difference then a originally installed GM part.
But this 100% deduction has been in use since I have been a member and judge for such items filter, shocks, radiator caps, hoses, belts, etc. One caveat would be if the item (filter) is in a line item with several other parts then the deduction would be 100% of the value of that item for both originality and condition. The other items would be judged on there own merits. So if that line has 4 parts each being equal in value and there is 20 points for originality and 12 for condition. The deduction for the 1 item would be 5 points originality and 3 points for condition.

[Michael H.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Gary

What addition of the Judging Reference Manual do you have in the 8th addition Section 4 Standard Deductions line item 13 is for GM service replacement , GM licensed Reproduction and Non-OEM parts. Items that are significantly different then original parts will receive a 100% deduction. A NAPA, Fram, Purolator and etc. will have a significant difference then a originally installed GM part.
But this 100% deduction has been in use since I have been a member and judge for such items filter, shocks, radiator caps, hoses, belts, etc. One caveat would be if the item (filter) is in a line item with several other parts then the deduction would be 100% of the value of that item for both originality and condition. The other items would be judged on there own merits. So if that line has 4 parts each being equal in value and there is 20 points for originality and 12 for condition. The deduction for the 1 item would be 5 points originality and 3 points for condition.

Paul,

My question would be what is consider " Significantly different " ? Yes a Fram air filter is orange I would consider that significantly different, a K & N air filter yes I would consider that significantly different, but a black rubber frame with white paper filter that doesn't have A/C stamped on it but something else stamped on it I would not consider that " significantly different " and I would not take 100% deduct for it but that's me.

Just my .02

Mike

[Gary B.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Paul,

I have the 6th edition of the Judging Reference Guide, so I guess it's time to buy a new one. To my way of thinking, a key word in the judging reference guidelines in the 6th edition is "incorrect". In the 8th edition, perhaps that word has been replaced by "significantly different", which I think would be a subjective assessment by a judge. Again, to my way of thinking, a NAPA air filter has some aspects that are very similar to the original AC Delco part, e.g., if it looks like a duck, etc. Clearly the NAPA filter installs the same way as the original, so, in making my assessment, I can see going back to the matrix system and only deducting 80%, not 100%, since the installation is correct. How else does one determine a "significant difference"?

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Paul,

My question would be what is consider " Significantly different " ? Yes a Fram air filter is orange I would consider that significantly different, a K & N air filter yes I would consider that significantly different, but a black rubber frame with white paper filter that doesn't have A/C stamped on it but something else stamped on it I would not consider that " significantly different " and I would not take 100% deduct for it but that's me.

Just my .02

Mike

Mike,

Clearly you and I are thinking along the same lines.

Gary

[Michael H.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Paul,

You should be able to pick up a A212 air cleaner on e-bay that will get most of the points you need . I think I paid $25 for a nice one, not 100% original but close enough. I normally run a K & N for driving purposes as I put 3-4K miles on my 67 a year.

Mike

[Gary B.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Paul,

You should be able to pick up a A212 air cleaner on e-bay that will get most of the points you need . I think I paid $25 for a nice one, not 100% original but close enough. I normally run a K & N for driving purposes as I put 3-4K miles on my 67 a year.

Mike

Summit Racing sells AC Delco A212 air filters on e-bay for $11.70, including S&H. I'm not sure how that compares to the price thru the regular Summit website. I'm also not sure if the NAPA filter looks any different from the current AC Delco filter...

Gary

[Paul O.]

Re: Best air cleaner element solution

Gary, Mike

For the air filter there is more then just the black rubberized top and bottom item that would also be looked at.

1. The external wire mesh.
2. Internal mesh
3. The correct ink stamping and De-bossed indicator.
4. The rubberized top and bottom for correct shaping there are nuances that should be present that originals had.
5. Paper element should have a yellowed oil look not white the amount of pleating in the material.
6. Etc.

So I see your logic for a 80% deduction the Configuration, Finish Complete, and Date. But some could argue the item is complete so we would be at a 60% deduct. But as Mike pointed out goes out buys a later over the counter AC Delco filter both the NAPA and last GM filter could receive the same point deduction that does not seen fair to me. Credit should in my opinion should be given to the owner that goes out hunts and buys a Original manufacture part or a close reproduction. Anyone can go to NAPA.