Door Jamb Vent Material Options

[DennisV]

Do anyone have insight to what the filter material is that goes on the door jamb vents? I could not find it in the parts catalog. The vent part number is 914-555-043-10, but I can’t find a listing for the filter material.

I contacted a couple vendors but they don't sell the material without a vent. Their offerings don't come with tasteful blue overspray either.

Photo of vent with material attached. I'm not clear if it's actually special and filtering anything, or just blocking larger particles from circulating. Maybe I'm overthinking it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Cfletch]

Weren't these only original on later cars? Was looking into these and decided against it for my car as some stuff suggested it was for later and I don't really understand what the benefit is.

[DennisV]

Weren't these only original on later cars? Was looking into these and decided against it for my car as some stuff suggested it was for later and I don't really understand what the benefit is.

I'm not sure. The parts catalog does list them as 72-, but they are present on our 1970 914-6. What was in these spaces if not the vents?

[gandalf_025]

As far as I know.. they weren't on any 1970 914.. 4 or 6..
I know mine didn't have them..

[Cfletch]

Weren't these only original on later cars? Was looking into these and decided against it for my car as some stuff suggested it was for later and I don't really understand what the benefit is.

I'm not sure. The parts catalog does list them as 72-, but they are present on our 1970 914-6. What was in these spaces if not the vents?

Literally nothing as far as I know, weird I know

[Cairo94507]

My '71 6 (May '71) did not have the plastic vent piece - just the opening. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Matty900]

They all had them at one point. This is them on my car http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...587&st=220#
This is where you can get both the filter and the vent pieces
https://914rubber.com/door-jamb-air-vent-grille
or you could find some Hog Hair filter and cut your own to replace the filter
https://www.amazon.com/CoreCarbon-Natural-F...sr=8-1&th=1

[mepstein]

They were never on early (70-71) cars. The vent size is the same on all years so use them if you wish.

[mepstein]

Weren't these only original on later cars? Was looking into these and decided against it for my car as some stuff suggested it was for later and I don't really understand what the benefit is.

I'm not sure. The parts catalog does list them as 72-, but they are present on our 1970 914-6. What was in these spaces if not the vents?

“What was in these spaces if not the vents?”
Nothing.

[dtmehall]

my 73 had them from the factory

[DennisV]

My '71 6 (May '71) did not have the plastic vent piece - just the opening. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Interesting. So it was just a gaping hole? Not even a blank off plug?

Now I need to see where that goes, as I will be tempted to use it for gum wrappers and cigarette butts.

[mepstein]

My '71 6 (May '71) did not have the plastic vent piece - just the opening. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Interesting. So it was just a gaping hole? Not even a blank off plug?

Now I need to see where that goes, as I will be tempted to use it for gum wrappers and cigarette butts.

It’s a channel for air that is directed behind the back pad. It lets air pressure equalize when you shut the door with the window up and allows air to exit the cabin so warm air or a/c can enter.

[wonkipop]

They were never on early (70-71) cars. The vent size is the same on all years so use them if you wish.

i think thats correct.
was just an empty hole in all the launch cars at frankfurt in 1969.
enough good photos of the show cars to see that. 6s and 4s.

i have noticed something interesting with later years and in particular the 74s which i have a bit of research material on.
it would seem in europe (ROW too?) where base versions and appearance group versions of both the 1.8 and 2.0 were sold that were markedly different in spec like the 73 had been in the USA that the base 1.8 and 2.0 did not have the vent covers, just empty holes. the appearance group of the 1.8 and 2.0 did have the vent cover.
these cars also still had the no vinyl on targa bar, cheaper perlon carpet etc - starker difference to USA cars in 74 where all the cars whether base or appearance group had vinyl on targa bar and the higher quality pile carpets etc. they also all had the vent covers. i've got some pretty trustworthy source material for that in 74.

i have a feeling, but its only a hunch, would need more source material to verify, but it might have been that 73 models in the USA also had no vent covers for base spec 1.7 and 2.0 and vent covers for appearance group 1.7 and 2.0. and this was the case for all markets.

you always have to remember that USA cars in 74 took a slightly different approach to ROW as they upspeced the basic car a lot more.

not sure what went down in 72, but it might have been that again base spec = no cover and appearance group got cover. if that was the case then i would guess it was possible that 72 sixes might have got the vent cover.

but.......its a guess. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) when it comes to years other than 74.
but i think my observations might be sound when it comes to the 74 cars.

of course who knows what has happened to many cars after 50 years.
either lost the covers when cars were restored and repaiinted.
or had covers added by owners of early cars after seeing them on later cars.

@DennisV - have never had the covers off my 74 but if i look in there i can see filter material. so they did get a filter when new from factory. probably the real reason for the covers was to hold in filter - and the filter was the real upgrade in higher spec variants?

[dtmehall]

my 73 was a 1.7 base model and came from the factory with a cover...fyi

[StarBear]

My 74 1.8 w/ appearance group has the cover and the filter. Black and fibrous sort of in layers.

[dtmehall]

my theory for the vent hole is to decrease cabin pressure to improve fresh air and heat air flow

sorry, i didn't see mepstein's post

[scallyk9]

I replaced mine in the restoration of my LE because those "filter pads" came with it. I used 3M brand coarse scrubbing Pads from Home Depot cut to size.

[Shivers]

My 1972 non-appearance group 1.7, didn't even have fog lights. But it had those grills. It was 10 years old when I got it, my brother had it before me, good chance they were there all along. My 71 did not have them so I used the ones out of the 72.

[Rusty_Rivets]

In situations where I couldn't find the original filter, I've used polyester quilt batting from the fabric store. It comes in different thicknesses and is about the right density for a cabin air filter.