Hitchcocks Forum

I have been running my model G 1949 without a proper air filter up till now. I going to put an old original air filter box on that i´ve cleaned up. As I understand it´s supposed to be some oil inside it to make it sticky in order to catch the dirt. Does anyone know what sort of oil I should use for this?

Engine oil was used in the day

Simple as that, great. Thank you.

As Bryan says, just engine oil. However I find my 1953 Meteor fitted with this type of filter runs better without the element being oiled and I've tried it both ways, obviously!

REgards, Mark

Hi Mark. I had som wear inside the carburettor that made me decide to mount the air filter box. Do you think the element will work sufficiantly without oil?

Peter, yes I think the filter will work without oil. It is easier to clean as well, you just blow it through with an air line like a lot of modern paper filters. Some wear in the carb is inevitable because of the way they work, a metal to metal contact area will always exhibit some sign of wear sooner or later. The petrol acts as a sort of lubricant but not enough to stop wear completely. What carb are you using? The original one? Some carbs wear faster than others because of their design and metallurgy, the Concentric Mk1 is especially prone to this.

REgards, Mark

Mark, it is indeed a concentric Mk1. I bought it not too many years ago so I´m a bit surpriced it didn´t last longer. I figure the box filter must be an improvement with or without oil.
Regards Peter

Peter, sorry to say the Concentric Mk1 is a very poorly made thing although Burlen, the current makers, have an improved "Premier" version on sale now. It's life was known to be short even back in the day, high performance Twins like Triumphs could see them off in as little as 3,000 miles, largely due to the suction of the slide against the body. Do you have the original carb for your G? If so it can be re-furbished?

REgards, Mark

Mark, I still have the old 276 carb. The biggest issue is the large thread where the union nut is connected at the bottom of the body that is so worn that I get petrol leaking from there. I´m not sure how to fix that thread so I retired it and bought the Concentric.It´s a longneck 276 body so I cant find a replacement. Any thougts about how to fix that thread?
Regards Peter

Peter, if you contact me at trials59(AT)yahoo(DOT)co(DOT)uk I may be able to help you. Just replace the words in brackets in the email address!

REgards, Mark