Air filter - does size matter?

[gabriel]

As the engine wears, it will make more and more of that oil laden blow-by, until eventually it will be enough to keep the engine going all on its own! The results can by dramatic:

 

[Norwester]

if the breather hose dips downward (an upright "U"), then a collection device must be installed

@Kenneth K ... Ah...I get it, now that I'm at boat and better visualize parts&situation. There's the breather hose (red line pics)

My original hose orientation was down towards filter...and inside I did indeed find some oil (Who knows how many years worth.) Pics for curious sailors. Either, I purchase longer hose and invert
curve or make/purchase inline dripper.

@gabriel Last vid clip... "These guys play with dynamite for a livin'."
It does beg the issue/questions...
Stopping one's diesel: One should know a variety of ways to do it, besides pulling cable handle at panel.
Starving engine with original air filter assembly seems straightforward by plugging the hole (blue line pics).

What's most effective technique(s) to depraved engine of air with K&N filter?

 

[Kenneth K]

Starving engine with original air filter assembly seems straightforward by plugging the hole

Just don't do that with your hand or another body part. I read somewhere that the intake suction from diesels can pull off skin. Maybe not on our tractor engines, but apparently the larger ones can.

Get familiar with where the shut-off lever is on the engine itself so you don't have to climb back into the cockpit to grab the shut-off lever/knob when shutdown is required.

 

[frick]

Interesting. I have my "air cleaner" off while I replace the timing gear cover. The air cleaner is nothing more than an egg-shaped metal box with a small mesh screen at the pointed end of the box. Anything smaller then about 1/16" diameter would get right into the engine I imagine? I think adapting any sort of air filter would be better than this thing? And this small mesh screen is nearly blocked with grease from the "breather" tube which Universal re-routed to under the air intake screen (the tractor shows it pointing down to grease the farm I guess). I suppose that's better than the bilge but now needs some cleaning.

For the people that have adapted an auto style cone filter.. what did you do with the breather tube?

View attachment 26916

Sounds more like an spark arrestor than and aire filter