The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Oil bath air cleaner

I have a 53 Chevy truck with a 235 engine I have the original oil bath air cleaner does anyone know how u replace the mesh filter ? The air cleaner doesn't look like it comes apart to get it out .

Sal,

Does the original "mesh" look to be unusable?
Or, do you want to get away from oil-bath aspect? (just wondering - it's your choice, of course)

I had two of oil-bath filters that had the whole mesh assembly under the cap removed (cut off). You then find a modern element that fits. You could leave some of the outer wall from around the mesh, so that the modern element is not visible.

I removed the mesh from the 235 air cleaner when I got the '48 and put in a Fram. I then topped it off with something from the kitchen, thanks to Mrs. Wally. This was only temporary (for the next 12 years) until I installed the 261.

I don't expect anyone else will follow my example but that's OK!!

My Early Air Cleaner Setup.
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I have two of the filters like you have. Actually I have three, but one is in real rough shape. I soaked mine in a degreasing solvent tank at work, then a carb cleaning solvent tank, and finally a very strong soap. After all that soaking, I was still getting dry dirt pellets falling out. I finally pulled all the fibers out after removing the baffle on the bottom.
You are correct in your observations, these filters do not come apart. Most guy's cut the guts out and install a paper element inside and use the lid to seal the top of the element. I haven't decided how I am going to fix mine yet, but i do know, I wasn't going to get all that fiber material clean. It was full of dried on bits even after all the soaking I did to it. I believe the fibers are cocoa fibers like you would use for a planter from the garden center.

Joe

Yeah, that is my problem with them too. That is why I now exclusively use the correct but non-oilbath filter. These are 1950ish original and start off life looking like this:

http://devestechnet.com/Images/Projects/AirFilter/dryfilter8lg.jpg

and then using a NAPA filter, end up looking like this:

http://devestechnet.com/Images/Projects/AirFilter/dryfilter1lg.jpg

there is even a how-to on this issue here:

http://devestechnet.com/Home/AirFilter

I would love to see someone write a conversion on how to convert an oil bath to a dry filter using the oil bath cannister.

If you are interested in using the original-style oil-wetted filter shown by Deve, Jim Carter sells an original style oil-wetted element and JC also sells a replacement modern-style element.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but is it possible to convert from an oil bath air cleaner to a dry filter? And if so, what happens to the hose leading from the canister to the engine?

I converted my '38 to a dry element. I have no hose. I'm assuming you have a 'newer' vehicle with an early PCV system?

Carmen,

Let us know the year of your engine and the size of your engine.

Nonetheless, as Tiny posted, if you have a PCV system, just leave the hose in the same place on the air cleaner, if you change to a dry element.

Thanks for the info. Mine is a '54 with the original 235 engine.

You can just clean it by letting the mesh soak in gasoline and rinse it out...shop manual says do that every 6000 miles

Deve, thanks for that info. I am going to convert mine Steve

While looking for something else, I came across this and posted it for another member. He was looking for information on a 1961 air filter.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...hevrolet-Trucks/1961-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

This list the truck as having an oil bath air filter, it also list the Thriftmaster as using Cactus fibers, and the Jobmaster as using Pita fibers in the filters.

Why would they use different fibers? and what is Pita fiber, ( Pita (Bot) A fiber obtained from the Agave Americana and other related species, -- used for making cordage and paper. Called also pita fiber, and pita thread. )

Joe

Lots of natural fibers used back then for filters and
upholstery stuffing. It was quite versatile and held up well.
In the AD seats the fiber pads which are often refereed to as
Horse Hair are really coir. A fiber from the coconut husks
and still widly used today for mats, brushes and such.

Here's a coir pad that was sat on for 60 years and is
still in excellent shape:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/120777683

DG

Where did they get it all? Did GM have there own growers?

Denny, are these still available? I need to do my bench seat. Steve

The coir is still being used as I said in mats brushes and
stuffing. The rubberized padding is used in restoration of
older furniture but it's not quite the same as that used in
the truck seats originally.
This is some that I bought a few years ago just to see how it
compared to the original material.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/125148167

Every upholstery shop that I've heard of subs modern day foams
for the coir cushion. But after sitting on the seat that I
re-upholstered nearly ten years ago and 16,000 miles back,
it's quite comfortable. I've never had a complaint from
anyone riding in the truck about the comfort of the seat.

I think one of the major reasons these need replacing is that
the mice just love to nest in it and the cotton,
which of course renders it unusable.

dg

I reworked my oil bath and now I run a K&N filter. From the out side it still looks like oil bath. 53 3100 root

Denny, that last statement just might steer me away from coir. Mice can easily get into the cab. My cat can;t keep up with them. Steve

Denny how does that "blue stuff" to the original? Steve

Can you give some details on this mod, K&N number, etc.