engine and drivetrain Ram Flow air filter issue

[local]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding a potential problem I'm having with my air filter. I recently had my engine rebuilt (650 miles ago, Weber 32/36, stock pistons w/ new rings, honed cylinders, head rebuilt and everything else replaced....) and everything was very very nice until I began getting major hesitations in all r.p.m ranges this weekend. The car runs and drives, but the smoothness is gone........I pulled my airfilter off yesterday (Ram Flow 1000) and there was more crap than I had ever seen in there! The metal bottom piece of the filter that attaches to the carb had a fine coat of oil (blowby from the valves....), but in the oil was what I would consider to be an inordinate amount of particles. Even the top of the carb had crap on it.

I have not called my mechanic yet to discuss (still too early in the a.m.), but I just wanted to see if anyone else here could shed some light on this problem before I speak with him. My hunch is that the air filter is just not doing it's job........Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Adam

[Guest bruno74tii]

(nt)

[local]

Hi,

No, I did not oil the filter element. The Ram Flow directions said to oil the filter only if driving under very dusty conditions......which I know is a subjective gray area, and since I'm in Oakland, CA, I just thought it may not be necessary........As the kit came with no oil, any suggestions as to which oil may work well?

cheers,

adam

[Guest bruno74tii]

your local NAPA, Pep Boys, cycle shop, etc. that I'd bet are just about as good. Try it for the next 650 miles and see hwow much the oil improves filtration

[local]

thanks bruno. I'll try it and report back in a few weeks.

cheers,

adam

[steve k.]

what size are the particles and what is the condition of the airfilter?

Does the engine run better without the filter?

steve k.

[mikem]

I have seen what you are describing in mine.

But, i have an old, semi-tired motor, not a new rebuild. Be careful. I think that good paper filters best. if I had a new recuild, I'd go with a modified stock aircleaner of some sort.

[local]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the input. I may have figured out what the deal is.......My hood still had most of the original insulation, that, when lightly (very lightly) touched, disintegrated into a fine powder which was exactly what was in my air filter. I'm going to clean the air filter and oil it well and give it anohter go. I went to the Ram Flow site and they actually do offer their own proprietary oil for their filters and they do recommend that it be used under all driving conditions. Shoulda just done it in the first damn place......

I am a little torn as to whether Ram Flow is really worth it though. I don't want to compromise the longevity of this engine......too much invested now. Anyone else have experience with Ram Flow?

Adam

[jimk]

The oil for the filter is a "tack" oil, not engine oil. Any motorcycle shop with dirt bikes has it. It's sticky so it doesn't drain off.

If your Ramflow is a foam media, it is good. If a gauze like K&N, it's a poor filter. Urban dust is worse to filter than rural dust because it is finer because it has been ground finer from urban traffic and you need a finer filter. Search on Nanofiber for the best.

[Guest bruno74tii]

at least in terms of particle blocking. Now airflow is another matter. Read for yourself in Prophet Bob, the Oil Guy. This guy has such devotion to the subject that I have to give his observations special credence:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

[mikem]

I don't have any technical experience, but I don't think that the supposed flow benefits of RamFlow or K&N type filters are needed by a non-race motor.