Intake carb item

[Dodge1934]

This was from before the days of air filters on side draft and updraft carbs

to me it is a backfire arester product

 

What is it really called

Thanks

[keiser31]

Some were called spark arrestors. Most are filled wire wire mesh of some sort.

Edited March 14, 2022 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[roysboystoys]

On boats they were referred to as flame arresters. That's what I call them for cars also.

Not sure what's correct

[paulrhd29nz]

We call ‘em rock guards. Cause that’s the only thing they keep out of the carburetor. 

[Dodge1934]

Thanks for your input everyone.

[carbking]

I would guess some have called them air cleaners.

 

The earliest ones that I have seen had louvers on the end, thus swirling the air as it entered and throwing dust and dirt against the perimeter of the can, where gravity would cause it to fall to the bottom, and exit through a slot. No one has yet explained to me why air did not also enter through the slot. These were successful in filtering out larger grasshoppers and small birds.

 

Probably in the second generation, the cans were filled with horse-hair. The owner/operator was to remove the air cleaner at some specified period (often weekly), wash the horse-hair with fresh gasoline, and then soak the horse-hair in oil. Dust entering the air cleaner would stick to the oil, preventing the dust from entering the carburetor. These actually did filter out some dirt and dust. The horse-hair only was used a few years; possibly because the horse objected?

 

Generation three saw the horse-hair replaced with various steel mesh, again to be washed and re-oiled at some specified period. Again, these would filter some dirt and dust.

 

As many were pitched over the years, good canisters are prized by restorers, and often bring interesting prices. The trick is to identify the exact application.

 

Jon.

Edited March 15, 2022 by carbking (see edit history)

[Dodge1934]

still available