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General Discussion => Q & A => Topic started by: 1971 on September 28, 2015, 05:38:07 PM

Title: Air Filter
Post by: 1971 on September 28, 2015, 05:38:07 PM
Buick Folks,
   I am unable to identify my air filter.  The car is a 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport.  However, the engine is a 425 (single carb) out of a 1966 Riviera.  The air horn assembly appears original to the engine.  The air filter measurements are; 2 1/4 ins. height, 13 7/8 ins. outside diam., and 11 1/2 ins. inside diam.  The filter fits perfectly in the air horn.  I contacted WIX and they don't have any air filters with those measurements.  Does anyone recognize this air filter with the above measurements.  Thanks, Richard
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Mark Ascher on September 28, 2015, 10:03:04 PM
Hi Richard,

I didn't remove these from the boxes, but the attached photos show the part numbers for the correct air filter for a 65 GS. I did not look up the numbers for a 66 Riv, which I assume is a Quadrajet, not AFB.
Do not know if they are the same.

Mark
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2015, 06:03:35 AM
If you can post a picture of the air cleaner assembly, we can help you identify which filter fits it.  If it is the original from the 65GS engine or from the 66 Riveria engine, they are the same and take the A85C or the Wix equivalent that Mark pictured
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: WkillGS on September 29, 2015, 10:32:39 AM
Those dimensions don't match any of the '66 Buick filter listings I'm seeing.
Fram has a reference catalog online listing filters by size:
http://www.framcatalog.com/RelatedInfo.aspx?b=F&f=FRAM/FPR2012.pdf (http://www.framcatalog.com/RelatedInfo.aspx?b=F&f=FRAM/FPR2012.pdf)

Closest to your filter is a HPCA16 with 13.79" od, 12" id, and 2.13" tall.
It cross references to Moroso and K&N. I think it's just a 14 inch filter for the aftermarket chrome air cleaners. Doesn't appear to be an OEM application.

Either the previous owner put in the wrong filter, or it's not a '66 Buick air cleaner.

The '66 Riv with 425 and q-jet had a different air cleaner style than the Skylark GS and Riv GS.
Non GS Riv calls for a Wix 42084: 11.625" diameter, 2.36" high. Will this fit your air cleaner?
http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDetails.aspx?Part=115046 (http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDetails.aspx?Part=115046)
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2015, 10:39:00 AM
Walt, what is different about the 66 Riv air cleaner compared to a 65 GS?  I have had one before and the only difference was the hole the base for the car was sized for a Q-jet instead of an AFB.  Other than that, they were the same and took the same filter?   The Riv one was chrome and had Wildcat 465 on top instead of being painted black and saying Wildcat 445 on the top, but both took the A85C filter.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: WkillGS on September 29, 2015, 11:14:26 AM
Brian, there's a '66 -jet manifold/carb/air cleaner listed on V8 Buick:
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?301645-66-nailhead-q-jet-setup-intake-carb-and-filter-housing (http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?301645-66-nailhead-q-jet-setup-intake-carb-and-filter-housing)
Double checking my '66 Buick parts book, it shows air cleaner pn 6422189 for 60-8000 and 9000 series with 425 engine.
The one in the ad has that pn, so that matches. Pic is below.

The 65-66 Skylark GS used what they call the 'pancake' style air cleaner. Some earlier Riviera's used that as well. Similar version also used on 59-60 Cadillacs. Most had the smaller Carter AFB carb opening.

There was a 'pancake' style with the larger Q-jet carb opening. A chrome version was used on the '66 Riv GS, and a black one was use on the '66 Skylark GS with the optional Q-jet equipped 401.  I don't think it was used on the non-GS Riv.
I don't know if it was used on any other applications, I haven't seen any. It's a tough air cleaner to find.



Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: GS66 on September 29, 2015, 12:09:35 PM
For my Gran Sports I have had no trouble getting the right filter at O'Reilly's, sometimes they even have one on hand. I think the last one I got was a Wix. I even bought a K & N one for the GS.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2015, 12:45:04 PM
Walt,
  The 66 Riv I had was a non-GS and it had the chrome air cleaner on it--identical to what goes on a 65 GS, except the carb hole fit a Q-jet.   Sold the air cleaner off of it to Wild Bill Burton back in the early 90s when I parted out the car.   I thought all Riv's had that style air cleaner--didn't realize they used the same tall style air cleaner as the Electra. 
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: WkillGS on September 29, 2015, 01:36:31 PM
I'm not even 66% sure the '66 Rivieras didn't use the pancake style (except for the chrome GS).
From what the first post is saying, it sounds like he has the trumpet style air cleaner, or something from a different year/make.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: 1971 on September 29, 2015, 05:02:39 PM
To all you Buick Guys,
    Thanks for all the responses.  Last night I was using KN's search by size, so I should at least find something that works.  I'm going through all responses right now.  Now that I know more I can add more.  The air filter housing is a pancake type.  The chrome cover fits exactly over the air filter.  The pancake housing is 16 1/2 ins. in diam., and the chrome cover is 14 1/8 ins. in diam.  The carb is a Carter Thermo Quad with the following #'s on the top-rear of the carb, "6-2141" with an "11" just after and above the 2141.  I've tried attaching photo's but not having success, hate to ask, how to attach?  Again, thanks for all the help. Richard
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Mark Ascher on September 29, 2015, 05:12:51 PM
Hi Richard,

I don't think GM ever used Thermo Quads. I don't recall that they did. That looks like a MoPar air cleaner.
MoPar used the Thermo Quad on a number of models. That air cleaner base looks like something made 1970
or after.

Mark
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: 1971 on September 29, 2015, 05:21:29 PM
To all you Buick folks,
    Looks like my photo attached ok, so I'll try to attach two more photo's. (I hope I'm not beating this subject into the ground but I know very little about Buicks and I told my wife I'd do my best to restore her 65 Skylark GS) thanks, Richard
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: telriv on September 29, 2015, 06:19:50 PM
The air filter housing is for a "Newer" car. As in '68-'76??? as a guess. It has the cutout on the side for the breather tube from the valve cover that attaches to the PCV filter. Also it has the hot air supply vacuum motor. It should also have an opening for the hot air tube. The air filter lid appears to be an earlier/smaller version as it appears to have "Ribs" on the side & not flat as a "Pancake" air cleaner lid should be.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: telriv on September 29, 2015, 06:23:47 PM
Also, the chrome lid looks like it may be from an aftermarket chrome lid that comes with a 14" diameter open element air filter assembly.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: 1971 on September 29, 2015, 11:00:03 PM
Telriv and all,
   Thanks for the help.
                    Richard
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Brian on September 30, 2015, 06:23:24 AM
Looks like someone put a Chrysler thermoquad and the associated air cleaner assembly on your car.  I have a correct 3921s Carter AFB carburetor for your car that I will sell if you are interested.  It is in excellent condition and I can put a fresh rebuild kit in it if you want.   Don't have a correct air cleaner assembly to sell, but they are out there if you look a little--someone here on this forum probably has an extra one they will sell!
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: telriv on September 30, 2015, 09:52:50 AM
Since Richard has a Q-JET manifold that was part of the '66/425 Riv. he has plus the Thermo-Quad he will need a PANCAKE air filter for a Q-JET. Even more difficult to find, especially with a chrome lid. If he could find a pancake air cleaner without a chrome lid he could have it chromed. Pancake air cleaners are on ALL '64 Rivs. but did NOT come in Q-Jet form only AFB. It WOULD have the correct top lid though.  So this narrows it down to '66 ONLY.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: Brian on September 30, 2015, 10:18:22 AM
Good point there Tom about the Q-jet intake--all 66 rivs came with a Qjet.  Kinda strange the engine is painted green though since all 66 425s were painted red. Guess it could have been repainted.  I forgot all about thermoquads being a spreadbore like a Q-jet.  To put an AFB on the car would require putting an square bore intake on the engine. 
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: GS66 on September 30, 2015, 09:27:48 PM
There is an air cleaner on eBay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221849803548?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221849803548?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: telriv on October 01, 2015, 10:50:09 AM
There was someone on V8Buick.com that had a manifold, carb. & air cleaner for sale with little or no replies for sale.
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: GS66 on October 01, 2015, 06:33:02 PM
There was someone on V8Buick.com that had a manifold, carb. & air cleaner for sale with little or no replies for sale.

If I remember right that one had the wrong air cleaner too?
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: 1971 on October 02, 2015, 12:05:09 PM
To all you Buick Folks that helped me out,
      Thanks to all those responses, I was able to resolve my air filter issue.  The air filter and chrome cover are after market not original equipment.  The air filter is a "Mr. Gasket" air filter (part # 1480A) at O'reilly Auto Parts.  At least I'll have a clean filter until I get the correct carb and air filter assembly for a 1966 425cu in. engine.
                thanks
                Richard
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: 1971 on October 02, 2015, 12:40:47 PM
Brian,
    Thanks for the offer on the correct carb.  A Buick guy here in Salem, Oregon talked to me with the correct carb also.  I committed to him on his carb before I saw your post.  However, if the deal falls through, I'll certainly give you a call.
                                             thanks
                                             Richard
Title: Re: Air Filter
Post by: WkillGS on October 02, 2015, 01:42:09 PM
Richard, the '66 Q-jet manifolds are very desirable and tough to find! It's worth holding on to.