Air Filter question 83 ROW

[AlKidd]

My car came with a K&N filter that was dripping in oil. Ive always thrown in a paper filter when cleaning a permanent filter so I could keep driving so I bought a Mahle LX 261 which is supposed to be the one for an 83 according to our host. The pleats are at least 1/2 wider & longer then the lid of the airbox. I can squeeze the length down but the forcing the width in will destroy the pleats. Its stamped as a LX 261 on the filter itself but I suspect its the wrong one. How tight does a paper filter fit and is it normal to have to bend the pleats? Were there multiple air box lids?

[boyt911sc]

Al,

Are you installing the air filter with the pleats facing inside or outside?

Tony

[AlKidd]

Tony, putting the pleats up inside the lid as the K&N was and really the only way it will go because the pop off valve would be in the way the other direction.

I borrowed another lid and was barely able to get the filter into it so have determined my filter is at max specs and somehow my lid has compressed itself on the narrow side.
Going to see if I can widen it after heating it with a heat gun.

Al

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Al,

Are you installing the air filter with the pleats facing inside or outside?

Tony

[911pcars]

Perhaps a photo will be self-explanatory of the issue.

Sherwood

[boyt911sc]

Al,

Either you got the wrong air filter or the POV was installed facing rearward. A picture would surely help explain the problem.

Tony

[AlKidd]

I havent been able to figure out how to post a pic as of yet but as I posted earlier, my lid seems to be misshaped compared to the one I borrowed. I was able to force the paper filter into the borrowed lid. Its all I could do to get it in there compared to the K&N but I have no idea on how old the K&N is.
Thanks for your help
Al