Backfire With Foam Element Air Cleaner !
Be careful starting your engine with certain types of carburetor air cleaners using urethane foam elements.
Over the winter I bought and installed a triangular type air cleaner, sold under brand names of Holley-(Free-Flow Air Cleaner Part #: 120-148), also Edelbrock(Pro-Flo 1000 Series) and others.
Well this afternoon, while trying to start my engine, it backfired and started the filter on fire. By the time I got out of the car and smothered the fire with my jacket, 3/4 of the foam filter had burned and was dripping molten gooey urethane rubber into the barrels of the carburetor. Luckily I had the hood open otherwise it would have been a lot worse.
Looking back I guess I should have tried to start the engine without an air cleaner. I don't think I will ever use an air cleaner with a foam filter again, ever!
The reason for the post? Trying to save some of you with a similar filter some grief.
Ralph
