An air filtering element comprising in combination: a tubular filter media having first and second ends; tubular inner and outer liners supporting the filter media and also having first and second ends; characterized by the filter element having a closed end cap formed of molded foam material encapsulating the first ends of the liners and the filter media ; an insert ring of substantially stiff plastic material having: a cylindrical flange having an inner surface positioned to support a gasket ; a sealing portion supporting the cylindrical flange and sized to snugly fit within the inner liner , the sealing portion and the inner liner forming a zero clearance fit as a fluid restriction, and the fluid restriction restricting the foam material from penetrating the fit and to enter into the open area between the unmolded surface of the cylindrical flange and the inner liner ; a base portion supporting the sealing portion ; the insert ring being fit within the second end of the inner liner with the sealing portion snugly engaging the inner liner ; and an open end cap formed of molded compressible foam material of sufficient resilience to serve as a gasket, the foam material encompassing the base portion of the insert ring , the second ends of the liners and filter media and the inner surface of the cylindrical flange , the shape and dimension of said foam material on the inner surface being configured to form a sealing gasket as a part of the open end cap . a tubular filter media having first and second ends; tubular inner and outer liners supporting the filter media and also having first and second ends; characterized by the filter element having a closed end cap formed of molded foam material encapsulating the first ends of the liners and the filter media ; an insert ring of substantially stiff plastic material having: a cylindrical flange having an inner surface positioned to support a gasket ; a sealing portion supporting the cylindrical flange and sized to snugly fit within the inner liner , the sealing portion and the inner liner forming a zero clearance fit as a fluid restriction, and the fluid restriction restricting the foam material from penetrating the fit and to enter into the open area between the unmolded surface of the cylindrical flange and the inner liner ; a base portion supporting the sealing portion ; the insert ring being fit within the second end of the inner liner with the sealing portion snugly engaging the inner liner ; and an open end cap formed of molded compressible foam material of sufficient resilience to serve as a gasket, the foam material encompassing the base portion of the insert ring , the second ends of the liners and filter media and the inner surface of the cylindrical flange , the shape and dimension of said foam material on the inner surface being configured to form a sealing gasket as a part of the open end cap . a cylindrical flange having an inner surface positioned to support a gasket ; a sealing portion supporting the cylindrical flange and sized to snugly fit within the inner liner , the sealing portion and the inner liner forming a zero clearance fit as a fluid restriction, and the fluid restriction restricting the foam material from penetrating the fit and to enter into the open area between the unmolded surface of the cylindrical flange and the inner liner ; a base portion supporting the sealing portion ; the insert ring being fit within the second end of the inner liner with the sealing portion snugly engaging the inner liner ; and an open end cap formed of molded compressible foam material of sufficient resilience to serve as a gasket, the foam material encompassing the base portion of the insert ring , the second ends of the liners and filter media and the inner surface of the cylindrical flange , the shape and dimension of said foam material on the inner surface being configured to form a sealing gasket as a part of the open end cap . <EOS>