ID air filter please

Kube

Kube

Super Moderator
Guys, methinks this is 49 - 53. What do you pro's think?
 

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I have one just like it on my 40 Merc sedan. I also have one in shop that was on a 46 Ford
coupe. They are both oil bath breathers. I believe most of the 40's and 50's cars had these
type breathers.
John
 
jayvee34 said:
I have one just like it on my 40 Merc sedan. I also have one in shop that was on a 46 Ford
coupe. They are both oil bath breathers. I believe most of the 40's and 50's cars had these
type breathers.
John
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John, While I am confident this filter will fit many years and many models, it appears it is correct for '49 - 53 Ford.
 
I don't remember the original air cleaner from my '51 Ford having those ribs on the top. I took it off and stored it away a few years ago when I changed the engine in the car. I could be wrong, but the next time I'm in the shop I'll dig it out and check. Other than the radial ribs in the top, it appears identical.

My '51 was a very original 67K car when I bought it 34 years ago, and I believe the air cleaner was original. It had the remnants of the original decal on it and it was bronze colored (the same as the engine) Now that I've said that, I believe all 8BA ('49-'51) air cleaners (except very early '49's) should be bronze. That filter, being black does not seem to be correct, at least for '49-'51 Fords. Mercury or truck maybe? Look on the underside (be careful not to spill oil all over yourself); does it have the straight mounting flange (car) or the "V"-shaped one (truck).

Maybe a service part?
 
Look on the underside (be careful not to spill oil all over yourself); does it have the straight mounting flange (car) or the "V"-shaped one (truck).

Gosh, I know so little about the "new" stuff, I'm at the mercy of those that do.
Here's a photo of the bottom...
 

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The one on my 51 fordor is exactly as Tubman describes. Has original decals and bronze color with no ribs on top part
 
That's a car air cleaner as far as I know. When I was a callow youth, I used to buy any 94's I could find, and every once in a while, I'd end up with these weird carbs that had a "V" shaped top flange rather than a straight one. I soon found out these were truck carbs and used a special air cleaner with a matching mounting flange. (I think it was so the air cleaners wouldn't fall of on trips over the plowed fields.)

Sorry to rain on everyone's parade, but that is definitely NOT a'49-'51 Ford air cleaner. I don't think it's a '53-'53 Ford either, because I believe those were painted engine color (Tangerine) as well. It can't be a Mercury unit either, because the earlier ('49-'51) used that weird "backdraft" carburetor and an air cleaner that didn't look anything like this one. '52-'53 Mercury, I don't know about.

I think I was right the first time : A replacement unit by Ford or perhaps an aftermarket unit.

I will still dig out my original when I get back to my shop.
 
My 53 ford I6 had a large oil bath that was smooth with that "lip", how big is it?. No ribs either. Interested in outcome.

In one way the center looks a lot like my 36 oil bath. The "air diversion" lip on the forward position is a bit telling of a late 40s-early 50s vehicle. Could be a truck or commercial vehicle.

On a 38t the screw release was round. My 53 air cleaner was triangular like you have shown. So in conclusion...
 

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Yep 49 to 53 oil bath filter just like my 49 . Mine was black until i stripped it to bare metal with a scotchbrite pad. My mother had a 53 ford sw looked just like it .
 
Mr. Walleye said:
Yep 49 to 53 oil bath filter just like my 49 . Mine was black until i stripped it to bare metal with a scotchbrite pad. My mother had a 53 ford sw looked just like it .
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Does yours have smooth top or does it have the radial ribs? Notice that the picture "Tinker" posted has 4 "inny" ribs, while the one "Kube" posted as 6 "outy" ribs. Different plants or suppliers? This is starting to look more complicated than most first thought.:confused:
 
tubman said:
Does yours have smooth top or does it have the radial ribs? Notice that the picture "Tinker" posted has 4 "inny" ribs, while the one "Kube" posted as 6 "outy" ribs. Different plants or suppliers? This is starting to look more complicated than most first thought.:confused:
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Not that it relates in any certain way, but in 39 - 40, there were three suppliers of dry type filters to Ford and two suppliers of oil bath. I wonder if this held through 49?
 
Kube said:
Not that it relates in any certain way, but in 39 - 40, there were three suppliers of dry type filters to Ford and two suppliers of oil bath. I wonder if this held through 49?
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From the looks of things, it sure looks like it relates. We started with the opinion that it was "'49-'53 Ford" and have since seen (or heard about) around 6 different varieties, and I bet we've just scratched the surface. No offense to "Tinker" but we should probably restrict this to V8 air cleaners only; the 6 cylinders throw in a whole different batch.
 
The 48 & 49 types were a bit different from the later types or late 49 thru 53. The early types have an air dam that covers the baffle openings at the front. The later ones are more uniform with an abbreviated air dam at the front.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_engine-pics/Flathead_Engine_complete1949.jpg

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_engine-pics/Flathead_Engine_complete1949to53.jpg

The trucks likely used the V-band clamp to insure less unfiltered air leakage but that is only an assumption. The V-band is a more positive clamping device but it can be more difficult to install & remove the assembly. It seems like all of the V8 engines used the V-band type starting somewhere in 1952 until the end of production but I could be wrong.
 
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