Kadron air cleaners that'll clear the deck lid springs

[rcooled]

This how-to was first posted a while ago as part of another thread. Several folks have asked about it, so I thought I'd give it a separate post so it could be searched. It shows how to make some vintage-looking, 2-inch tall Kadron air cleaners that'll clear a Ghia's deck lid springs.

Starting with the standard Kadron air cleaners, I bead-blasted the chrome housings and applied a semi-gloss silver paint for a more period look. The tall Kadron filter elements were discarded in favor of shorter K&Ns (P/N RA-0550). The necks were cut away and a hole cut in the top to allow the mounting stud to pass thru.

A wire mesh screen was added to complete the vintage look. This was taken from a foundation vent that I bought at a building supply store, then cut to size and formed to fit the housings. Heavy duty staples were used to fasten the ends together. The K&N filters are a bit smaller in diameter than the Kadron housing, so to take up the extra space, I epoxied some 1/8" felt weatherstrip along the top and bottom edges of the mesh. A drop of epoxy every inch or so is all you need.

To finish it off, I cut down the mounting studs to a more suitable length and installed the cleaners with the mesh's seam facing the firewall. One air cleaner can easily be drilled for a fitting to accept a crankcase vent hose if needed.
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)

[andk5591]

Those look really good - Would look neat in out 61 bug. Just for curiosity sake, did you look at K&Ns universal filter section? They may have an element that doesn't require being modded.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[rcooled]

[lemke]

Here is a pic of my engine, I was lucky to stuble on the vintage style air cleaners (I actually prefer a stock engine and an oil bath air filter, but that's another story for another time.)

As you can see, the springs had to be removed. I just recently found out Kadron produced shorter manifolds enabling the use of the stock decklid spring set up. it seems they are not being made anymore – but I'm hoping to find a set somewhere. Here is a pic them:

Some more info:

http://www.shop.kaddieshack.com/Refurbished-Aluminum-Low-Profile-Manifolds-Ghia-Preferred-KS-13.htm

[67TXGhia]

Short manifolds are being produced.
LowBugget sells them...
http://www.lowbugget.com/main_page.html
_________________
Chris P.
'67 Ghia Coupe
'77 Westfalia
'05 Rialta

[lemke]

[Backtotheeighties]

Old post but for future searches.
The original kadron paper filter were based on Corvair ones size wise.
At the same time the TRI power GTO was being built. These used shorter filters and are still current (k&n etc). Easy to cut down mesh/casing/replace fasteners.
Good hunting!
Check on filter manufacturer sites inputting dimensions.

[rcooled]

[Steelz21]

I have this set up, K&N filters and chrome caps came with the car. I removed the heavy steel turbulence causing bracket and use threaded rod and wing nuts to hold too cap on. The centre hole is filled with chrome KO filler.
Clears the hinge no problem on the right but close on the left.
I sometimes just run velocity stacks for the sound and looks for local cruise night car show.

[Steelz21]

Velocity stacks.

They do sound good. 😁