1965/1966 air filter base with breather nipple, 5A Date

[Karguy]

I recently found and purchased a original 5A dated air filter base for 6s281. I have never had a chance to look an original base over and it looks really nice almost too nice. Although it came from a reputable seller, I would sure like the opinion of the Shelby gurus out there as it cost a few dollars and I'd like to be positive it is the real deal and correct for 6s281. Here are a few pictures, what say those that know? If anyone needs different pictures please let me know.
Thanks, Karl
6s281

[s2ms]

Looks like a nice original to me...

[mygt350]

Not all original bases were stamped 5A. My original is not stamped at all and it is original.

[GT350Lad]

Looks like original stamping Karl, nice piece mate

[Greg]

Other would know better than I but it does look really, really nice for a 53year old part.  It was possibly bead blasted and cleaned up??  I hope it is.

[Harris Speedster]

What years did not have the breather outlet?
Seems some were made like that?
With respect,
John

[acman63]

What years did not have the breather outlet?
Seems some were made like that?
With respect,
John

UJ:  If Im not mistaken the cars from CA   got the breather and base with the nipple.  Other plants got push on breather and bases with no nipples

[427heaven]

I have an original off of 6s 409 that is an original and was not stamped as well.

[s2ms]

They must have made a ton of 5A bases as they were used from Jan. 1965 up to Jan. 1966 when the 6A bases started being used. Early 66 cars would typically have a 5A base. I've seen several 66 dated bases, 6A and 6C being the most common, so assume those were made in smaller batches.

[Bob Gaines]

What years did not have the breather outlet?
Seems some were made like that?
With respect,
John

In regards to GT350 the 65 /66 all used a closed emission base which had the nipple regardless of if being sold in a state that required the smog equipment or not .Shelby's had a exemption in CA for 66 when the required thermactor system. In 1967 the GT350 did not have the exemption so a car that was in a state requiring the thermactor system got the closed emission base with the nipple /closed emission cap like 65/66. The rest of the GT350's got a open emission base that had had a 1/8 nipple that was capped and a open emission push on breather cap  like what the 67 GT500 used on the oil fill tube.   

[J_Speegle]

What years did not have the breather outlet?
Seems some were made like that?...........

Have to remember that these (different versions) were used on a number of different cars other than Mustang.

For Shelby's in 66 (since that is the area of the forums we're in) I agree with Bob. All were suppose to be built with the closed system - nipple at base and breather.

[Harris Speedster]

Thanks guys,
Utah john >>> many moons ago Big Jim !!!!!!!!

[6s1640]

Hi Karl,

Here are four side by side images of an original 5A HiPo lid base next to several reproduction bases.  The easiest way to ID an original to a repop is examining the breather nipple.  As in the OEM stuff, there are variation in the reppop world too.  There are three repops compared to the same original.

You can see quickly the differences.  Yours looks like an original.

Another difference, but harder to confirm without a accurate measuring device, is the opening on an original is slightly larger than the reproduction.  The reproduction I photographed just barely fits onto a 4100 Autolite ZFC carburetor, but the original fits with a little more clearance.  I will need to find my micrometer and post the actual dimensions.

Good deal on your find.

Cory

[J_Speegle]

Nice job there Cory

[Bob Gaines]

+1 . The best ID I have seen yet.