Topic: How Identify Original 1967 GT500 Air Cleaner

[kkupec02]

I didn't see anything in my searches of the site using the search feature. Is there any information on how to identify an original vs a reproduction 1967 GT500 air cleaner? 1/26/67 build date. Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

I didn't see anything in my searches of the site using the search feature. Is there any information on how to identify an original vs a reproduction 1967 GT500 air cleaner? 1/26/67 build date. Thanks

It should be a diecast lid and base. Repros are sand cast. The lid has a particular style of letters and also a faint witness line around the letters. The quick and easy way to tell is look at the bottom side of the lid and there should be mold filling injection indentions about the size of a pencil eraser around the perimeter of where the filter sits. The base is easy in that it has strengthening ribs cast into the bottom side and also a S7MS engineering number to identify it . No repros like that . The base also has a swedged in PCV 1/4 circle shaped nipple that will turn with some persuasion. 

[kkupec02]

Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

 I wanted to clarify that the air cleaner assembly for your cars production date would typically be diecast . In that context I wrote my response. There are earlier production 67 GT500's that used a sand cast lid and base from the assemblyline  however those assemblyline sand cast assemblies are also substantially different to the repro counterpart as well.

[J_Speegle]

Here are some pictures to support the discriptions and the discussion. Will let Bon expand or explain more if he chooses.


Pic #1  Base without the nipple/breather tube but with the cast provision



Pic #2 Base with the nipple/breather tube attachment



Pic #3 Side by side



Pic #4 Interior/top side of the base




Given all the early/late and the variations it can get confusing and that's just the base 

[Bob Gaines]

Here are some pictures to support the discriptions and the discussion. Will let Bon expand or explain more if he chooses.


Pic #1  Base without the nipple/breather tube but with the cast provision



Pic #2 Base with the nipple/breather tube attachment



Pic #3 Side by side



Pic #4 Interior/top side of the base




Given all the early/late and the variations it can get confusing and that's just the base 

Thanks Jeff for posting pictures. I knew I could count on you. The ones with the 1/4 curved nipple were used in production . Notice also the ones without the nipple and without the round eraser size mold injection ports are a sand cast copy of the factory unit . There was a sand cast base used in early production but it doesn't have ribs.  I haven't seen anything to indicate the bases without the nipple were used in production but instead most likely a later service part . The base without the mold injection ports are repros in the same way that the lids without the mold injection ports are repros. This can be explained if it follows how other repro parts are copied in that the aftermarket takes the last service part before it becomes obsolete and copies that . In this case the service base without the nipple was copied instead of the assemblyline part. A sand cast mold is extremely less expensive to make compared to a diecast mold but the sand cast mold doesn't hold up more then once. You have to redo it each time but in small numbers it is a cheaper process. Diecast molds are cheaper in the long run and take less time when doing greater numbers of items .  Like Jeff said it can be confusing.

[Bob Gaines]

Typical diecast base on left and typical early sand cast base on the right. The sand cast base could ether have the 90 degree angle nipple or the sweeping 1/4 curved nipple. Both styles were separate and swedged in so they could swivel but it takes a little persuasion. The repros all are cast into the base and will not move.

[kkupec02]

I have attached pictures of mine. It looks like I may have an original top and maybe a service replacement for the bottom.

[Bob Gaines]

I have attached pictures of mine. It looks like I may have an original top and maybe a service replacement for the bottom.

It looks like a original top and most likely some kind of repro base. Ford service replacement looked different.

[Bob Gaines]

FYI some early sand cast lids were bare aluminum. The later sand cast lids were black wrinkle paint. The diecast lids did not come unpainted from the factory.