Pleated air filter assembly

An air filter assembly which filters and purifies air prior to entering an external combustion engine includes a conical radially pleated filter element disposed over a filter carrier. When assembled, the pleats of the filter element are trapped between a plurality of internal teeth on an internal comb section of the filter carrier and a plurality of external teeth on an external comb section of an opening of the air cleaner box. The filter carrier further includes a plurality of struts which further shapes the filter element. A locking mechanism secures the air filter assembly to the air cleaner box.