PCV Filter part number??

[Otis Campbell]

Does anyone know what the part number is for the Pcv filter in a ‘71 (the part inside the air cleaner)? I’ve bought 2 already and neither fits. The Motorcraft FA675 and a WIX 42991. I saw one listed on JBG (I think) and the other on Amazon. Thanks in advance.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Are you running an original Bronco '71 air filter housing?

 

[DirtDonk]

Those look like the right “type” but the wrong shape. Have you tried them physically and they don’t fit? Or are you just comparing to the one you have and it’s a different shape?

What about the Wix 42992? That looks more like the right shape as far as I remember. But it doesn’t look like it includes the clip.
I found that number when I looked up the Motorcraft part number you posted.
Looking at pictures, the one with the right shape in a different part box, had the Wix 42992 part number as an alternate listed on the box end.

 

[DirtDonk]

When looking at the pictures of the numbers you posted up, they look more like correct for the 78 and 79 Ford trucks. Even then, I’m not sure though.

 

[DirtDonk]

By the way, that’s not a PCV filter. That is the filter element for the charcoal canister mounted on the frame.
The PCV does not use a filter. The plastic elbow fitting for the PCV line on a 71 is in the flat portion of the air filter housing. Between the air filter and the carburetor.
So it’s already sucking filtered air into the crank case.
Doesn’t need a filter. Just uses a molded elbow shaped hose to connect between the plastic elbow on the filter housing, and the other plastic elbow on the rear corner of the passenger side valve cover.

 

[Broncobowsher]

By the way, that’s not a PCV filter. That is the filter element for the charcoal canister mounted on the frame.
The PCV does not use a filter. The plastic elbow fitting for the PCV line on a 71 is in the flat portion of the air filter housing. Between the air filter and the carburetor.
So it’s already sucking filtered air into the crank case.
Doesn’t need a filter. Just uses a molded elbow shaped hose to connect between the plastic elbow on the filter housing, and the other plastic elbow on the rear corner of the passenger side valve cover.

Paul, that is the PCV filter. They were used before the charcoal canister was used. It is a simple crude filter for letting fresh air into the engine to make up for what is being sucked out through the PCV valve.

 

[Otis Campbell]

Are you running an original Bronco '71 air filter housing?

That’s the plan. I’m running the ProFlo4 fuel injection (not up and running yet) and thought it would be cool to disguise it a little with the original filter housing.

 

[Otis Campbell]

Paul, that is the PCV filter. They were used before the charcoal canister was used. It is a simple crude filter for letting fresh air into the engine to make up for what is being sucked out through the PCV valve.

My 71 had the can. I replaced it with a foxbody can.

I thought the pvc drew through this and Evap can went to the elbow with the stainless mesh?

 

[DirtDonk]

Paul, that is the PCV filter. They were used before the charcoal canister was used. It is a simple crude filter for letting fresh air into the engine to make up for what is being sucked out through the PCV valve.

I think we did have this discussion a few years ago. If that’s the case for the early models, prior to mid 1970, that maybe that’s why they are referred to as PCV filters.
But that’s not how they were used on 71 and later setups that I have seen.

However, as the OP has already mentioned, their 71 did have a charcoal canister system, and the PCV air return is already filtered by its location in the center of the housing, after the main air filter.
So it’s automatically drawing pure clean air in, even though there’s no separate physical filter in the tubing or at the end of it.

 

[DirtDonk]

My 71 had the can. I replaced it with a foxbody can.

I thought the pvc drew through this and Evap can went to the elbow with the stainless mesh?

The location of the separate filter and it’s plastic nipple sticking out of the far passenger side of the main filter housing, outside of the actual air filter, makes it very awkward to plumb to the PCV elbow.
The elbow that is located underneath the flat section of filter, housing, roughly above the intake, manifold, and valve cover, as much easier.
And either version of the charcoal canister, whether original down on the frame, or later up on the firewall, is very easy to stick on that flimsy plastic fitting on the filter.
There’s no real stress on that one due to the light weight of the “smog hose” that comes off the charcoal canister.

Somebody must have a picture of this original layout. Or still have a stock setup?
And I’d love to see how a ‘70 model would have been set up. That was the last year they ran the valve in the passenger side and the elbow in the oil filler cap.
I probably have it in lots of the information I’ve collected and some of what I received recently. Just haven’t had time to dig through it.

 

[Otis Campbell]

Does this one look correct?

 

[DirtDonk]

Doesn’t look anything like the old ones.
But that’s not uncommon even back then, for a replacement part to have a different shape, size, or orientation.
All the ones I saw were where the plastic housing was surrounding filter media, which was open only at the top.
Nothing about the one you just posted would keep it from working however, unless it physically doesn’t fit in the hole in the location on the filter housing.
Just like the one I posted previously. Did you look that one up?

 

[Otis Campbell]

Doesn’t look anything like the old ones.
But that’s not uncommon even back then, for a replacement part to have a different shape, size, or orientation.
All the ones I saw were where the plastic housing was surrounding filter media, which was open only at the top.
Nothing about the one you just posted would keep it from working however, unless it physically doesn’t fit in the hole in the location on the filter housing.
Just like the one I posted previously. Did you look that one up?

I did look at that one and I don’t think it will work. In fact I found it on Amazon and the site selling it said it didn’t fit a 71.

I guess I’ll order the one above and see if that works. Thanks for allowing me to pick your brain.

 

[DirtDonk]

Hah! Picking my brain usually only nets you bits and bytes and pieces of information that you then have to stitch together to make a coherent thought.
Gotta keep multiple sources on tap.

 

[Otis Campbell]

Hah! Picking my brain usually only nets you bits and bytes and pieces of information that you then have to stitch together to make a coherent thought.
Gotta keep multiple sources on tap.

So, I dug through my parts bin last night and found the hose that goes from the ps valve cover to the air cleaner assembly. It was evident that it attaches at the elbow on the assembly that would be on the clean air side of the filter and NOT on what I was wrongly calling the PCV filter. That filter is meant to be attached to the charcoal can.

 

[DirtDonk]

Bada-bingo.

 

[DirtDonk]

Since I was always fiddling with my carburetors, I got pretty good at taking that hose off the elbow on the valve cover. Leaving it on the air cleaner, I would just remove the whole assembly with the hose hanging. Got pretty quick at it after a while.

Gotta love a well equipped parts bin!

 

[Otis Campbell]

For anybody following this or to those who may have this issue in the future, this fitting is required on the air cleaner:

 

[DirtDonk]

That’s the part that stays inside the hose and clips to the other one sticking out of the filter?
Never took mine out of the hose, but that’s what it looks like.
(Correction. I am mixing up the EVAP hose with the PCV hose.)

 

[Otis Campbell]

It sticks into the side of the air cleaner housing and twists 90 degrees to lock it in place. I haven't found a vendor other than a Mercury Cougar specific site. They only offer used - - and don't have any currently. Not to mention they want $30+ for them. I think I'll have to visit my local big box store and see what I can find...