I have to confess that I have a sizable stash of "mystery parts", all unboxed, unlabelled and for applications unknown. I worked on the principal that sooner or later they might prove useful to someone, if I could only work out what they fitted.
This bizarre air filter housing component is typical of such mystery parts. It has a few design features that the eagle eyed classic car fans might recognise. Note the ovoid mounting ring on the base, as far as I know this was a signature design feature on Solex carburettors.
![Solex air filter adapter Image of a Solex carburettor to air filter adapter](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlP9bVE_xz1IUrkm70_4_KJUzg3KACvFrHnQnlEx3HsYDZG4IKDEVT1JEaZr6NWTSrJqkYBbUuB1OT_3jCXzlnmCcKkJrR86SePPWhGLbC9j7gPe1xzy_4HdadUU_VBG889eBGDRR_gI/s400/Adapter+3+of+4.jpg) |
Ovoid mounting ring - a signature design feature on Solex carburettors |
I made a test fit with a salvaged Solex DIDTA carburettor from an Opel Manta A series and the mounting ring was of the same dimensions. The adapter would have fitted completely, but for the secondary choke vacuum actuator fitted to this carburettor, as illustrated below.
![Solex air filter adapter Image of a Solex carburettor to air filter adapter](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYt1F6___hNxIoSaSup700kRtSkXE8lIBcLM17XUsAp3t2aRzgb1Pfgop5ClLpJ95YoTOeBTfIAzQiL0Zs_zd5_E_vrgPKSYvV279VTIOnNW0Q7Im-O3UR8wuWOfR-5wBmMavSZMhTLQ/s400/Adapter+4+of+4+.jpg) |
Test fit with a salvaged Solex DIDTA carburettor |
The other noteworthy element is the provision of a captive nut, I recall that some Fords used an air filter housing with a single wing nut fastening to hold the lid in situ.
![Solex air filter adapter Image of a Solex carburettor to air filter adapter](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTLd55OmXaf_uwioAeYorqgUIWQGYhEoApwM_thw-dQBW8DoSIqIab_6ti2nsOhREpnQOmXRwUrMnOtUozTlFZXX2hrmF6vjp0Mgrq9YoPcv7R5brIYmEIzKXo-ScYt57c9tMfXu0wbk/s400/Adapter+1+of+4.jpg) |
Some Fords used a single wing nut fastening |
![Solex air filter adapter Image of a Solex carburettor to air filter adapter](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrPilzmhWGkiqBzN7x__RomYyukI8RQHHQnhXwjpPWIljZAt0LmEichMzHeBlwECx8cSkbVaxnVIwC_CtScVoEtgVO8D0VA9_1VAajFOJRQsYzudsmxpwSuZNAE3iJqqh-2Z9lPuBNko/s400/Adapter+2+of+4.jpg) |
Could it be Opel or Ford? - do you know what it fits? |
Now this quirky item has finally broken free of loft bound captivity, do you know what it fits? Could it be Opel or Ford? Because if it doesn't find a new home soon, it will be going in the scrap bin.