MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Paper Air Filters

Has anyone any experience of fitting suitable sized paper air filter elements in place of the cleanable element to fit within the standard air filter cases? Have recently seen a Healey 100/4 which has a similar arrangement to the A but was running paper elements. I have recently had a problem with one of the front carb air filter felt seals obstructing the carb throat which caused erratic running under load and took quite an effort to locate. I suppose I have lost faith in the set up and don't really like washing the elements in fuel anyway. Grateful for any suggestions?
D J ROUGET

There is a Fram filter that fits and also a K&N filter. Both need minor alterations to fit past the tube from the valve cover. See Barney's site for details.
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/
Kris Sorensen

I ran paper elements for a while in my MK-II. The front element got oil soaked from the valve cover vent tube. It took a long time to happen, but when my car started to run badly I found it was running very rich on the front carb. I have switched to K&N filters and am quite pleased with the results. I did have to richen up the mixture slighty, but that may also have been because of the new fuel that has alcohol added to it.
Ed Bell

I used to run paper filters. I just went to the auto parts store with my air filter housings and tried until one fit. I think they are Purolators. I can find the part number and maybe it will cross to other brands. I did have to trim the silicone edge a bit and 'adjust' it to fit around the crankcase vent tube. As the silicon is thick and pliable and the filters had a good seal, I tossed the felt seals. I may have a set or two lying around the house that won't get used anymore as I have switched to K&Ns. Yours if you ship them. I ran the paper ones for almost 4 years without any problems. I switched when I added the fast street camshaft last year.
Tom Baker

I would rather run just about any filter brand but a Fram. In every comparison I have encountered, they consistently rank among the most poorly constructed.
Del Rawlins

In the USA it is very easy to find a paper element that is 2 inches high by 4 inches diameter at most auto parts stores. They will fit inside of the stock wire mesh elements and will actually filter the air, but don't show so it looks original. Remember, they did not have paper air filters yet when the A's were new- it was oil bath or oiled screen. Rings did not last very long with the MGA arrangement.
Matt
M. H. Dabney

I agree with Del Fram has to be the poorest made filters available. There is even a service bulletin for Nissan that addresses the problems they can cause. Typical Checker "itis". A disease cars catch from cheap and ignorant owners.
R J Brown

Many thanks for all the input. Will look into the K&N option.

Regards

Dave
D J ROUGET

FWIW Moss has them on offer at 26.86 inc VAT
Neil McGurk

I don't know what K&N filters Moss supplies. the K&N number is not listed in their on-line catalog. K&N recommends E-3212. I bought what I thought was the Moss part from LBCarco, They suppield the E-3211 which was 1/8" too short. The E-3212 should be spot-on based on the specs. Rather than send them back, I just ground off ~1/8 inch from each post. Either way, the vent tube has to be modified to clear the filter element. I did not have to modify the filter element. I see about 1/2 of the vent tube. I could not fit the original screen over the K&N's. No problem for me. I like the looks without them.

This is my first time using the K&N's. Still doing my Spring maintenance so I have nothing to report.


C Schaefer

I've at times been guilty of being a bit on the frugal side and I've never been mistaken for a rocket scientist, but I have used Fram filters for a number of years and never heard of my "A" as having "Checker". Always a first for everything, I guess. Marvin
Marvin Stuart

Moss Europe use the part number KNE240 in the promotion. It's a special promotion from 13 May to 17 June see:
http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/
Worth a call to check!

Neil
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2008 and 14/05/2008

MG MGA index

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