Thanks again

[Dave Hord]

>     On an unrelated note, i was poking around a web page that showed what
> appeared to be an aftermarket airbox.  It replaced the lower half of the fuel
> metering unit with a K&N type filter box.  Anyone seen this, have any
> opinions?  Are there other options?
>
> BTW it's on an '86 4KQ
>

I'm aware of only one option ever available to do this, made by Jamex.  It was
an aluminum frame that replaced the lower filter box.  The filter element was
yellow foam as I recall.  Can you confirm that you have a foam filter?

K&N and others use a cotton filter element that is easily identified by the
fact that it's pleated (looks like an accordian).  Foam, OTH, is simply smooth
foam...no pleats.

While both can be oiled for maximum efficiency, a foam filter should NEVER be
unoiled.

Regardless, foam makes a pretty terrible filter element.  It lets more dirt in
then paper or cotton, it tears easy, and it can dry out and literally 'chunk'
out into the engine.  Seen all of 'em in the flesh.

I've tried for years to find one of the Jamex units (no longer available), so I
could do some testing.  It shouldn't be too hard for our factory in Taiwan to
make something similar using a cotton element.  The only problem (and why I've
never really done it) is marketability...there isn't a huge market for this
sort of thing.

-Dave