Web Forum for Singer Cars

I am looking for a "Dirigible Style" air cleaner to replace my Pancake Type. Does anyone know where they might be obtained. Are they a Shelf part adapted to the Singer or specific made? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Brook

Hi Brook,
By now, due to hearing only “crickets” in response to this question probably says a lot. My experience is that the only part harder to get than the “dirigible” style filter on the 4AD is the cast elbow that must accompany it! I’ve seen only one of these elbows come available in the past four years since I’ve been restoring my 52 4AD, and if memory serves me correctly, it sold for something north of $350.00. With that said, I can’t recall ever seeing any filters up for grabs! From what I’ve been told, some of the single carb cars actually came with the “pancake” style filter from the factory, which is what the late Bill Haverly (the parts guru England) instructed me that was standard on my car. Obviously the pancake was standard on the twin carb cars. Do you by chance have the cast aluminum elbow, or is it missing also?

Good luck and God bless!
Fred

Crickets ? wait, do I need to call a exterminator for the site ?

The pancake filter will fit, I was not aware it ever came from the factory that way on the single carbs but it does fit and work fine.

I don't have the elbow, but could cast one in aluminum if necessary, or fab it up from weldments. The Dirigible Cleaner makes a much better looking engine compartment as it covers up some of the cam cover hardware. That's where I was going with this.

Hey Mike,

What you say actually makes more sense, that the pancake filter may have never come as standard on the single carb model. Now that I think of it, I have seen later model cars than mine with classic canister type filter. I may have misunderstood, can anyone confirm if the single carb 4AD ever came with the pancake filter from the factory? My 4AD is a late 1952 (which was actually titled as a 1953). My father owned a 53 model which did have the “dirigible”. Is there a chance that they mixed and matched them from the factory?

Fred

As a reply to all who may be reading this thread, does anyone know of a source for the Dirigible itself that I could get, either original, reproduction, New old stock, or current production for either Singer or another make that used it as well. I am finding that there are many alternatives out there for parts that Singer shared with most of the other Brit makes.

From a cricket down under who has been watching with interest.. my 1952 4AD has the dirigible ( to me cylinder shape would probably describe it better, but what the heck, dirigible it is!) type that I believe came out with the car from new, there is also another 1952 4AD down here with the same. We also have a 1952 Twin carbie 4AD with the flat pancake air cleaners because it has SU carbies.. but before he put the twin carbies on his original air cleaner was a dirigible with the cast elbow.
So I am fairly sure that for originality the dirigible is the way to go,.. but if someone more knowledgeable than me knows any different then please let me know.
In the photos the two top elbows, as is the smaller dirigible air cleaner are from the early small motor Singer 9 motor as they have slightly smaller diameter inlets than the bottom elbow which is from a 4AD ..' These are usually joined by a small length of hose with two clamps.







I have these here in Australia so can provide any measurements required..
Regards
Stephen

All,

As An added note printed in the Thoroughbred & Classic Cars magazine from June 1975. The Mini Manual artical states engineering changes chassis number 1548V had the t-type air cleaner changed to the flat type. FYI.
BRG

Hey Brook,

I have the complete unit with uncracked alloy elbow and very good canister:

[attachment=0]4AD Air Filter Assembly_2 copy.gif

It's for sale, so contact me off the board if you are interested - a very rare item nowadays!