Here's an air filter puzzle...

[jwhughes3]

My 86 300E air filter housing had been overtightened in the past and had broken spring clips and broken studs inside that hold the top on. So while at PnP last time I pull an unmolested air cleaner housing from another 86 300E (same one I got the springs from). Went to switch it today and it looked like a lower profile - the lid was not as raised when compared to mine. I cleaned it and stuck a new filter and sure enough - it takes a shorter filter. On the lid is stamped the filter part number and cross referencing shows the filter is for a 190E 2.6.

Now I know I read the engine label correctly for a 3L engine and it looked like mine - it fits in place - I just don't have a filter to stick in it.

My questions are - the shorter filter seems like it would not pass as much air - I don't want to starve my engine - I hesitate to just put the 190 2.6 filter in it though I can't imagine the extra 400cc from the smaller 6 cyl to mine would make a huge difference - do you think it would?

Why would this one have been on the other 300? Was there a mid year switch in air filter housings? I realize they may have done the exact same thing I did and replaced it, but I just wonder what the experts here might know or think about it.

John in San Antonio
(fussing about 1/2" of filter height)