I have some off a Studebaker that are around the same age and they come apart. Once you take the lid off and dump out the old oil, you can clean the bottom half easy enough. In the lid section you should see a snap ring around the center section, mine was on the out side squeezing inward. Pry this off then the two sections will come apart. I had to pry mine apart since its a press fit on the outer edges. The horse hair looking stuff can then be washed.
Joe
