Laughter is probably better than crying over this !

This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 3 days, 15 hours ago by David Horsley.

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2nd July 2026 at 12:55 pm #38661
David Horsley
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I never cease to be amazed at the solutions (?) adopted by the French amateur restorer who had my ’51 11BL.

He spent a vast amount of money (I have the bills/receipts) on the body, mechanicals and interior and then went on to do daft, pointless things regarding the details he did himself.

The latest is discovering the Vokes air filter is stuffed with chicken wire !

Citroen Classics aren’t listing Vokes filter elements but I’ve contacted Darrin about them.

If he can’t get one for me quickly, please can anyone suggest a better filter lining than farmyard wire ?

(Maybe I should write a regular column for Floating Power on all the Fred Flintstone stuff I’m finding ?…)
2nd July 2026 at 2:00 pm #38663
Robert Filbey
Participant
Yes, you should write up an article! I’d bet that would be some interesting reading 🙂

Kirk
2nd July 2026 at 4:29 pm #38665
Larry Lewis
Participant
My 49 BL had an air filter element made up of a filthy oil soaked wool blanket. With it installed the engine could barely breathe. I tossed that out and installed a K & N air filter on the front end of the air filter barrel. I did have to shorten its length but it does work well. It’s a universal type filter with a four inch opening on the bottom of it.
4th July 2026 at 12:26 pm #38673
David Horsley
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I think a lot of members have been in the same boat as me after buying a car from France !
4th July 2026 at 12:34 pm #38679
David Horsley
Participant
I’ve been told to use the filter for a VW Beetle that used the Solex 32 PBIC as it will fit under the bonnet.

It won’t look authentic (it looks like a sardine can) but it has the benefit of being readily available, whereas Darrin says the “proper” ones aren’t the right dimensions and you have to modify the Vokes filter box to get them in.

Originality is in the eye of the beholder and doesn’t seem to matter to the public at car shows where most people think the Traction is an Austin anyway…
5th July 2026 at 12:51 pm #38685
David Horsley
Participant
I’ve found a drum shaped K&N filter with a chrome top at the back of the garage that I bought for my 1934 Hudson Eight (now sold to Belgium) but never got around to fitting.

As it was intended for an 8 cylinder 4158cc motor (I should get plenty of air flow !) and it fits the headspace under the bonnet, I’m going to give it a try.

I’ll need to make a collar for it so it will fit tightly on the throat of the Solex.

If it works, it’ll save me a bit of money !

I’ll report on progress.
6th July 2026 at 8:29 pm #38695
David Horsley
Participant
Even with a sleeve (albeit homemade), the K&N filter kept falling off on the road test. It sat a little too low on the Solex throat and fouled a bit on it and so was unstable.

So I’ve ordered a sardine can rectangular filter used on the old VW microbuses that had a 1.9 engine and a Solex 32 carb.

Watch this space…
12th July 2026 at 12:44 pm #38727
David Horsley
Participant
The VW air filter works fine, if slightly noisy.

I didn’t need to make a rubber collar to make it fit. The flange on the filter box is a really tight fit on the carb without one.

If anyone’s interested in using one like me, they’re available from Lime Bug in Newcastle under Lyme.
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