Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop Question about Oil Bath Air Cleaners

Hi guys,
I have my air cleaners converted to just a dry filter and they work OK.. I want to refurb them and change the filter element with one that does not need to sit on the fiber insert which is just there to take up space...never seems to line up right when installed.

The new element I found will sit just on the bottom of the bowl w/o the riser, and the top comes down to about 1+ inch of the top of the bowl... Confused yet?

My question is: How much room need I allow between the lid and the bowl for enough air flow to reach the carbs..?

It depends I reckon - is the engine just going to sit on display and idle all day or are those 'carbs' situated on top of a 6-71 blower and a tricked-out 6 banger capable of 11k launches?

I'd say you probably need to allow at least a 3/4" gap all the way around - an inch wouldn't hurt.

Well, no...not a blown 49 3100, or tricked out six, but is a daily driver. I can make it an inch or so...no problem.. Thanks for your reply

I'm not sure if this will help but when I saw "Oil Bath Cleaner," I remember that we had done a Tech Tip not that long ago.

Maybe this will give you some help or you can at least follow the link where it was discussed.

Peggy M

The oil bath air cleaners had no more than an inch clearance around the non-breathing filter-element housing, which sucked air up through a smaller surface area at the bottom of the filter element.

You will be OK with an inch all around.

Peggy


Thanks for that link. I found a filter element at Reibies..NAPA Gold Filter 2221 which is 4" tall and provides only about 1/4" air flow space between lid and bowl. I will either put a spacer of 1" or so on the bottom or top of the lid to creat at least 1" of air flow space.. The NAPA filter was only $15 or so and is washable...

My plan is to have the metal parts powder coated likely a silver darker than chrome...or maybe just stock black plus the decal...

I'm running dual two bbl progessive webers and with new valves and seats it runs really well. Thanks also for all your help, Tim.

The Tech Tip that Marc submitted is a GREAT one! I followed his instructions, but made a couple slight changes because I didn't have the foam that he used. I used the same model oil bath air cleaner that Marc used in the Tech Tip.

I cut out all of the insides of the top instead of leaving the upper star and the inner cylinder. Easy to do with tin snips, then grind down the nubs with a die grinder.

I cut 1 1/8" off the bottom edge of the top with an angle grinder. This allows more air flow (increased to about 2 1/8" from 1"), but leaves enough metal on the sides of top so that the dry air cleaner is not exposed to retain a stock look. This step also eliminates the roughly 1/2" lip on the inside bottom edge of the top to allow the air filter to fit inside.

I used a K&N E-9216 filter. It is a little taller (4.449") than the one Marc used. It fits perfectly into the modified top and seals against the top and the bottom, so no need for foam. When assembled, it looks completely stock.

http://s844.photobucket.com/user/ma...1998_zps9azd4n9e.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s844.photobucket.com/user/ma...1999_zpsecs1pxjq.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s844.photobucket.com/user/ma...2002_zpsdqh22svz.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s844.photobucket.com/user/ma...2003_zpscnfeltoz.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

A big THANKS to Marc for the Tech Tip,

Matt

Guess I should have sprung for the KN as they are nearly 1/2" taller and I wouldn't need a spacer...drat Could not load your pics Matt...Just my finicky machine I'm sure..

Got the parts back from powder coater yesterday...they look great. Since I have that taller filter element I only needed a slight bit of a spacer to raise the tops up to a level where enough air gets thru. Bought a 5" I.D. PVC pipe coupler from Home Depot and my buddy with a band saw sliced off some 1/4" pieces to raise it up to where I have 3/4" between top and bowl..Should work well. Decals ordered from Chev. of the 40's..

Will put these pic on Photobucket in a bit...

Just was able to open your pics...Looks very nice ! Good work..;)