Hello everyone,

I'm having trouble finding an air filter for my 1966 Pontiac Catalina. Maybe someone on here has a suggestion some place I haven't looked yet.

I have tried NAPA, all the usual parts stores, online OPGI. Online searches, part number searches, it's like that part never existed.  The part numbers printed on my air cleaner housing are A154C and 6422204 for the air filter replacement.

those numbers don't come up on any one's interchange list. All the filters that were supposed to fit don't. 

A little history: I purchased the car from a deceased friend's wife. The car sat in a garage for 18 years, the good thing was he would fire it up every couple of years.

It's a California/New Mexico car now in AZ. The car is all original, paint, interior, engine 107,000-mile car. It still has the original date coded spark plug wires.

The air filter that is in the car now is close but not right. You have to crush part of the filter to get it into the housing. There is a baffle behind the air snorkel where it has to be crushed

and I don't think it is sealing completely because there is dust under the filter.

It is a California emissioned car (that's the problem) 1966 Catalina 389 4BBL with California smog pump Carter AFB carb.  GM part numbers 6422204 and A154C.

Thanks in advance

 

Your problem is AC Delco has re-issued that air filter number for a more modern application.

You can find new old stock (NOS) with this part number on eBay, Marketplace, craigslist, at swap meets, etc. They are still out there.

If you are looking for a parts store replacement, you want a 2.5-3.0" tall, 8-8.5" inner diameter, 10-11" outer diameter filter. Replacements you can use include:

FRAM CA328

WIX 42032

WIX 42082

WIX 42091

AC DELCO A331C

AC DELCO A86CW

HASTINGS / BALDWIN AF60

CHAMP / LUBER-FINER AF96

Some of these are for 4 barrels and some are 2 barrel 389 applications.

Thanks Frosty,

Some of those part numbers I have already tried, but others I haven't. I will check those out.

I have measured the housing, and I come up with 8 1/2" ID, 10"max OD because of the baffle,

and 2 5/8" tall. I have looked at some on Ebay that have the correct part numbers, but where I ask them for measurements it's to big in diameter or to tall.

I am going to check out all the number you have listed again.

Thanks again for the list.

Erwin

Hi Frosty,

I checked the specs and cross referenced numbers. 

The CA 328 and the A331C are the same dimensions but too big 10.8 inches OD

The Hastings/ Baldwin AF60 and the WIX 42082 and Champ AF96 are the same but too tall 3 inches and the center stud is not long enough.

The WIX 42091 and the A86CW are the same too tall and too big OD

the WIX 42032 are tri power filters

I didn't want to have to cut the baffle out but if I did, I should be able to use the A331C

Thanks again for your input.

Erwin

 

Erwin - did you measure the rise or height of the air cleaner lid at all? That may give you the room to run the 3” tall filters. Worth looking at, at least.

Hey Frosty,

Yes, I did. It looks like I could use the WIX 42082 and raise the lid 1/2 inch, but I would have to find a longer center stud

for the AFB. It looks like I do have room under the hood to come up.

I'm working with my local NAPA store to try and get in 2 different sizes and that is one of the options I'm trying.

Interestingly WIX makes NAPA filters, so take the 4 off the WIX number and you have the NAPA number.

Thanks

Erwin

NAPA owns WIX. Advanced Auto owns Diehard. Stanley owns Craftsman. Go figure.

Let us know where you land with your air filter choice.