Restoring an oil bath air filter

[snappydon]

I have 2 different air filter setups for my truck, the stock unit that fits on the carburetor, and the heavy duty service unit that bolts to a bracket on the head.

I’m not sure which I’m gonna use yet. It’s never gonna see actual work again, but the HD is kind of cool.

They’re both in need of restoration, but how do I get the mesh clean and serviceable again?

Do they come apart? Or best to soak in some sort of solvent and flush them out?

Thanks

 

[mcgarrett]

Check with Third Gen Auto - they show this in their online catalog.
https://thirdgenauto.com/product/new-1937-41-ford-air-cleaner-element/

If this is not correct for your air cleaner, they might know where to find it.

 

[Kube]

I have 2 different air filter setups for my truck, the stock unit that fits on the carburetor, and the heavy duty service unit that bolts to a bracket on the head.

I’m not sure which I’m gonna use yet. It’s never gonna see actual work again, but the HD is kind of cool.

They’re both in need of restoration, but how do I get the mesh clean and serviceable again?

Do they come apart? Or best to soak in some sort of solvent and flush them out?

Thanks

Soaking in gasoline works well. Yes, yes, I know...
That is what Ford recommended back in the day.
On your truck, that HD filter would be cool in my opinion.

 

[GB SISSON]

Gotta go with Kube on the HD oil bath.

 

[snappydon]

Gotta go with Kube on the HD oil bath.

Yeah I'm definitely leaning that way. It already has the oil filter setup and the double belt set. so the HD air filter follows suit.

 

[blownford]

Years ago I "restored" a couple of early dry type air cleaners. I had a couple of used ones , One in decent condition the other was completely rusted out inside.


While these are not the oil bath type you have, I believe they are constructed the same. They are crimped together and do not come apart.



the decent one I did not modify, I just removed the old paint, filled any small dents and painted it. On mine there was a galvanized wire screen with small rectangular mesh in the intake opening that retained the copper filter medium. I found the screen I think at McMaster Carr and the copper filter material I used a copper Brillo type material I found at the local grocery store.
The Brillo pad was pulled apart until it was a long flat piece and fed into the opening and worked it around to fill the cavity. I may have used more than one pad, don't remember.
The real challenge was feeding the screen into the opening. It took some time and I had some bloody fingers, but it finally got in in and it looks good.


I cut the rusted one open, and with very little fabricating got a early Corvair K&N filter mounted inside. Did the same process with the screen/Brillo on this one. When it was painted, it looked pretty close to the stock one.

 

[1952henry]

^^^^Nice job!^^^^

 

[GB SISSON]

Is that Bronze wool Brillow? Dang, I gotta find me a couple of those!

 

[blownford]

Chore Boy Ultimate Copper Scrubber Scouring Pad, Pure Copper
Amazon etc.