W 40 air cleaner

[EdHouston]

Hey Gang

Had the air cleaner mushroom looking thing off the other day and it had no air cleaner of any description in it. All there is, is a perforated pipe under the mushroom is this normal or has one of the previous owners omitted something.

Ed
S/V Moonlight Mile.

[Randy]

That's all there is to it. Asked the same ? to tech @ Western Branch Diesel, a westerbeke dealer. Said that's it. Not much going on in that closed space for dust and debris to get into engine. I agree, seems there should be some kind of filter instead of a round wire tube.

[Dale Tanski]

Yep, its a thing of beauty!
That mushroom also adds to the noise problem eminating from that closed in area, that is the main reason I wanted to install a real air cleaner.  The other reason is the amount of dirt that can be found in any engine box.  I found a new, in the box Kabota tractor air cleaner assembly on E-Bay, that has a real pleated filter element.  It is on my list to install.  I am just going to mount it and run a hose from the mushroom mount to the air cleaner assembly.  Seems like the right thing to do...
Dale Tanski

[slokat]

I had read this thread earlier and went looking for a way to accomplish the same thing in the tight space that is available. 

Ended up with a K&N type permanent cone filter. Used reducing/adapting rubber connector to a 90 degree elbow and positioned the filter horizontally,  pointing aft and slightly to port.

These are all off the shelf racing parts that were available at the local auto dealer (in the hot rod section). They had most of the parts on the shelf & only had to order the reducing connector.  $59.00 total cost (including expedited shipping).

It modified the air intake noise, not sure if it reduced it alot.  But now I don't worry about things crawling or getting sucked into the intake!