Upside down Mass Air???????

[1966ponyguy]

I built a custom bracket to mount the mass air sensor on my 66 5.0 conversion. A friend of mine saw it and told me that you must mount the sensor with the plug up. I can make a new bracket without a whole lot of trouble, but I like the way it looks now. Can you mount the sensor in any direction, or must the plug be up?

 

[ForceFed70]

I can;t think of a reason why not... maybe it has something to do with the direction of the heated wire/sensor?

 

[Protowrxs]

I would understand that a vane type Mass Air Sensor would be sensitive to orientation but a hot wire system would seem less so.

Looks like you are mounting it completely 'upside down' so it might be an issue.

My origional plans had mine sideways so I am interested in the results here.

Edit: Nice mount though

-Stephen

 

[ddonaca351]

(imho) The sensor can be turned in any way you like. One of the cures for a poor idle with CAI and aftermarket filters, etc... is to rotate the MAF a little at a time until the best idle quality is found and then tighten it down there.

The only possible drawback I can think of, is if it was upside down, moisture might work its way into the "top" (now bottom) of the sensor, and mess with the readings.

DD

 

[LUCAFU1]

you can run it upside down w/o problems. the only thing is that it does change the way the car runs a bit. ive always found the the old 5.0s arent effected as much as the newer cars. my 03 cobra will start acting funny if the sensor is moved around.

 

[Route666]

If I remember correctly the rotation of the MAF sensor does slightly effect running of the car, because of the natural "path of least resistance" through the intake. Turning the sensor can bring it into and out of more flow as the wires cross through where the intake likes to flow.

IMO you shouldn't concern yourself with the positioning of the MAF as it wasn't designed into the component, it's just a side-effect of the imperfect flow through the intake.

I think plug down would be best from a moisture-in-the-connection perspective.

 

[CochinoFilipino]

If you do have a problem, it may not be caused by the MAF being upside down.

From what I've read, problems can arise from that cone filter and it's positioning by the fan. The turbulance from the fan can mess with intake airflow and MAF reading.

Clocking (turning) the MAF can help get the wire in a position with less turbulance. But you may want to install a tube between the filter and MAF, or a shield between the fan and MAF, or run the filter into the wheel well.

 

[Markus]

Hello,
...or build a cold air induction like i did.
Before this my filter was also in the engine compartment
and the power output of the engine on hot days was
very bad.

Markus

 

[reenmachine]

Be aware of the fact that you've got the MAF mounted to rigid structure and the engine moves during operation. There may not be enough compliance in the air tube (or rather the rubber junctions) between the MAF and the throttle body, possibly resulting in something breaking after some use. An air leak between the MAF and the throttle body will certainly affect the engine's performance.

 

[yeloxr7]

Air turbulence from the fan can affect the idle when a cone-type air filter is installed close to the fan.