Air Cleaner Breather Fitting, 90 Degree

Product Overview

When you are upgrading your air-cooled Volkswagen to a high-performance carburetor setup, such as a Weber Progressive, DGV, or DFEV series, maintaining proper crankcase ventilation is often an overlooked detail that can lead to messy engine bays and premature seal wear. The EMPI Air Cleaner Breather Fitting is the professional solution for re-establishing that vital connection between your engine''s oil breather box and the intake system. This 90-degree nylon fitting is engineered to snap or thread into the base plate of your aftermarket air cleaner, allowing you to route a breather hose directly into the filtered air stream. By doing so, you ensure that your engine is drawing in clean, debris-free air for its internal ventilation cycle, mirroring the clever engineering found in the original factory oil bath systems but adapted for modern, high-flow filtration.

The beauty of this specific fitting lies in its durable nylon construction and its versatile 90-degree geometry. Unlike straight fittings that can cause hose kinking or interference with the underside of a Beetle''s decklid or the tight confines of a Type 2 engine compartment, this 90-degree elbow allows for a low-profile installation. The fitting can be rotated 360 degrees during the installation process, giving you the freedom to aim the hose barb exactly where your breather line needs to go, regardless of your specific throttle linkage or fuel line routing. It is a small but essential component for any VW enthusiast who demands a clean, functional, and "correct" engine bay layout that prevents oil mist from coating the exterior of the engine while maintaining the internal pressure balance required for a long-lasting flat-four power plant.

Vehicle and Carburetor Fitment

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: All years and models equipped with aftermarket air cleaners.
• Volkswagen Super Beetle: 1971-1979 models.
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus/Transporter: 1950-1979 (Split Window and Bay Window).
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956-1974 all models.
• Volkswagen Type 3: Notchback, Squareback, and Fastback models.
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973-1974.
• Custom Applications: Ideal for Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Baja Bugs.
• Carburetor Compatibility: Fits air cleaner bases for Weber Progressive, Weber DGV, Weber DFEV, Holley 5200, and most EMPI/Weber aftermarket chrome air cleaners.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 00-8998-0
• Material: High-temperature resistant, chemical-grade Nylon.
• Angle: 90-Degree Elbow for low-profile hose routing.
• Color: Black.
• Attachment Style: Press-fit/Locking design for standard air cleaner base plates.
• Hose Compatibility: Designed for standard 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch ID breather hoses (depending on stretch).
• Quantity: Sold individually.

Specialist Pro Tips for Installation

Tip 1: Ensure a Vacuum-Tight Seal at the Base

While these fittings are designed to be a snug fit, the vibrations of an air-cooled engine can sometimes cause minor air leaks around the base of the fitting. To ensure that only filtered air enters your carburetor, I always recommend applying a very thin bead of oil-resistant RTV silicone around the flange of the fitting before snapping it into the air cleaner base. This creates an airtight seal that prevents "unmetered" air or dust from bypassing your filter element, which is especially critical if you are running in dusty off-road environments or sandy coastal areas. Let the silicone cure fully before starting the engine to ensure the bond is permanent and won''t be compromised by intake pulses.

Tip 2: Optimal Hose Routing and Slope

When installing your breather hose onto this 90-degree fitting, try to route the hose so it maintains a slight upward slope from the oil filler/breather box to the air cleaner, or at least avoid deep "loops" or "traps" in the line. If the hose dips significantly below the level of the breather box, oil vapor can condense in the low point of the hose and create a "slug" of oil that restricts ventilation or eventually gets sucked into the carb all at once, causing a puff of blue smoke. By using the 90-degree angle of this fitting to aim the hose directly toward its destination, you can keep the run short and efficient, ensuring consistent vacuum pull and better moisture evaporation from the crankcase.

Tip 3: Custom Hole Placement for Dual Carb Setups

If you are running a dual-carburetor setup (like Weber ICTs or IDFs) and your air cleaner bases don''t have a pre-existing hole, you can easily add this fitting yourself. Use a step-drill bit to create a clean hole in the bottom plate of the air cleaner, ensuring you placement provides enough clearance for the carburetor''s velocity stacks and the linkage movement. Because this fitting is nylon, it won''t conduct heat as much as a metal fitting would, helping to keep the incoming air charge just a bit cooler. Always deburr the hole in the metal base plate before installing the nylon fitting to prevent the sharp metal edges from cutting into the nylon and compromising the secure fit.