I have one of those edelbrock pro-flo air filters -like this-- http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...5&autoview=sku I dont really like it but its about the only thing I can use on my carb and still have clearance under the hood.

any how. my carb backfired and burned the filter some and sucked some particles into the carb. What I want to know is if there could be any damage from it and to what extent. I caught it pretty quick I think. It should suck the particles straight through right? any input is appreciated. I have been driving it and havent noticed any problems.

 

depends on if theres a partical (how big is a partical) stuck on a valve. it could eventually cause damage. compression test would be in order. do another in a week. also could listen to your exhaust from the tail pipe. then in say 50/100 miles listen again for any noticable difference. recording could work. all we use in the gillnetter is a wire mesh but thats in a damp inviroment were dust is not a problem. the big ? is why is it backfiring.

gives a guy a reason to listen to the motor other than for pure enjoyment.

 

I don't think you have a thing to worry about. If there were any bits of foam that got sucked in, it either blew right out the exhaust, or it burned up inside the engine. Don't sweat it, it's gone.
Was that you or someone else I told to look out in case of a back-fart with that air cleaner? Didn't expect it to happen so fast!
A 2" tall drop base air cleaner should be a lower profile than the one you have. A dropped 3" may even clear.

 

Agreed with both posts above. Whatever it is is probably gone, especially if it was foam/paper element. I would worry if some of the mesh went down, like craby said, a quick compression test will tell if a valve is stuck, but you said you have been driving it since and didn't notice anything major so its probably clear.
I also concure with them on the other instance.... there are low profile air filters available....and... why is it backfiring in the first place? timing maybe?

 

I dont know if I will do the comp testing craby. It is good advice but I will have to go buy one and then find the time to do it, and learn how. I was just the foam that got sucked in and not a whole lot at that. I will give it a listen and hope for the best. the carb backfire is timing related, I hope. the only time it backfired is when I drove it cold and when it was warm it didnt do it. the entire engine setup is new so I hope nothing is broken.

That wasnt me 69, I havent told anyone that I have it, I probably should have asked around though. I cant use a drop base because the bottom hits on the accelerator and it gets stuck wide open. I have to use a spacer just so I can get throttle clearance. I will try to find a 2" and see if that works, my old filter that was recommended was a 3" but that beat a nice little dent underneath my hood. I figured since it was just foam I wouldnt have to worry much but I thought it best to ask the guys who know better.

Yeah cpl I believe it was timing. It only bfed if I drove it cold, If I warmed it up no backfire so I didnt worry too much about it. I increased the timing a bit today and havent noticed it anymore, hopefully it is fixed.

 

I've used one of those filters before. It's an open, coarse plastic-like foam filter with no wire mesh or paper. They're not very good at filtering anything smaller than gravel (slight exaggeration)! In a flame, the element will melt down and burn up, which is why I wouldn't be concerned with it.
Funny coincidence, because someone else here (can't remember who) was asking about the same filter a week or two ago. I warned not to use it if you have a fiberglass hood, since a backfire/burning foam filter could start a carbeque!
Since your engine is backfarting when it's cold, your choke may not be working properly...not closing as much as it should?

 

I will check the choke also, I havent had much experience setting the choke on a carb so that just might be it.

thanks for all the help.

 

Huh. I originally bought one of these filters. As you can see in this picture, it didn't even come close to giving me enough hood clearance:



So I went to Advance and they had a 14x3" Holley chrome air cleaner assembly for like $40 bucks. Pretty sure it's a 2.5" drop base, and it fits PERFECT with a performer intake and street avenger carb: