Thanks everyone who responded.   I shall consider myself "free" to position
the AFM however it fits best then.

  Don Hanson

On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 9:03 AM, Gregory Smith <gfs@gregoryfsmith.com>wrote:

> Actually the AFM can be mounted in just about any orientation and work
> well, the black lid doesn't need to be "on top".  In my '81 Lancia Beta
> Zagato for instance, it's mounted on its side.
>
> The only real requirement is that it's securely mounted to the chassis,
> so that it's not affected by engine movement.  Otherwise it could be
> susceptible to oscillation in the flap from the engine moving.  This is
> why it's somewhat firmly attached to the air filter housings in all
> applications.  The hose between the AFM and the throttle body has to
> flex with engine movement.
>
> The foam filters don't filter much though.  As for function, the AFM
> works fine without a filter at all, but a filter is best used.   There
> are aftermarket filter setups that bolt directly to the AFM, but you
> need a bracket to hold the assembly to the chassis.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> Gregory Smith
> '88 Vanagon GL
>
> Smith Design Studio
> Small Building Company
> Olympia, WA
> 360-239-0429
> gregoryfsmith.com
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 09:17:24 -0800
> From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: AFM ? (as related to the air filter housing)
>
>  Is there anything to preclude a remove/replace of the Vanagon air
> filter
> housing with something more direct? The AFM seems to be connected, or at
> least adjacent to the stock air box in my vehicle (an 84 with an inline
> Jetta gas engine mounted diesel style, using the stock vanagon air
> filter,
> etc) I'm toying with the idea of devising a more effective intake
> tract...smoother, longer and less restrictive. I have not been inside
> the
> airbox to actually see how the AFM functions, or whether it's proper
> function is dependent on it being attached in a specific orientation and
> calibrated to the standard Van filter housing..hence the question.
>
>  My thought was to use one of my 'sock' filters (I have 8 leftovers, 3
> 1/2"x 12" long, oiled foam filter element, over a spring inner cage) l
> from
> my racecar. I'd like to mount that up inside the D-pillar, connected
> with
> either PVC or aluminum and silicone intake tract, configured to be less
> restrictive and to supply cooler air to the motor..
>
>  Most other engines I have owned and modified have responded well to
> 'freeing-up' the intake and making sure the incoming air is as cool as
> possible...especially after the "other end" of the system has been
> improved. There seems to be more room in the engine bay, what with the
> inline motor, to 'mess around' with the intake tract..
>
>  Can I do that without upsetting the AFM?
>
>  Don Hanson
>
> ------------------------------
>