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

Hey folks I'm thinking about keeping and using my Oil Bath air cleaner on my 67 401M. I was wondering what does everyone still using them clean them out with? To really clean out the mesh.
On the flip side of that has anyone gutted the oil bath and found a modern round air filter that will take the place of the original innards? Or could that even work?
Thanks. Hope I put this question in the correct spot. Still learning

Clean out your old mesh with kerosene or gasoline. Let it dry in the sun. Re-oil it and re-install it. The procedure is detailed in the factory shop manual.

Go to the home page of this site and look for Tech Tips. Someone has done what you describe - replacing the mesh with an off the shelf paper filter.

Before I went to that extreme, I'd try to find one of the other types of filters offered on the stovebolt that had a removable mesh filter that can easily be replaced with a paper one like this:

Otto,

Is this the Tech Tip you're talking about:

Oil Bath Air Cleaner Upgrade

The ole oil bath air cleaner... fine technology, back in the day. And still works fine.... as long as you don't mind the gooey mess and junk that collects in it over time. Ah yes, there's a reason time and technology left the oil bath behind ... Nostalgia ain't what it used to be so if you want to leave the mess behind but keep the look, here's a 21st Century way to accomplish an ...

Yes, that's it.

Bama,

Just a note that I will move/have moved this conversation to the Engine Shop as the on-topic place for further conversation as it is directly "Engine" related.

I think we all fall into the category "Still Learning" in some fashion or another. Now worries!

Dan

Be sure the paper filter element you choose has enough swept area to handle the airflow without restricting it. Running a too small filter element will be the equivalent of keeping the choke partially applied all the time.
Jerry

My truck has a lot of the original parts, I'm trying to keep it that way. Still using the oil bath on the 283 V8, I have no issues with it, wash it with gasoline and replace the oil. They are a little messy when you have to work on it but does a great job.

Bamafan0001 I just lay mine out on cardboard and let oil run off of it while I clean up the sump and re-fill it. With detergent oil it will drain off pretty clean,or dip it in solvent 60 years ago we used gasoline,kerosene,solvent,diesel fuel . It wont hurt if some dirt goes in the sump that is what it's for.

Thanks for all the tips really appreciated! I want to keep it like it is I mean they are unique and don't see them very often at all. Thank you Gdads51 for pointing me in the right direction.

I started out using a K&N filter which was 1.75" tall. I then experimented with one which was2.5" tall. What a world of difference. RPM at idle dropped big time. So if you go paper, don't go too small.

I have a 10 year old "Fram Product Reference Catalog" that I downloaded. I'm sure you could find a more recent version. It includes a paper air filter "by size" section. Or if you want my old .PDF drop me a personal message with your e-mail address.

Thanks for this link Peggy! I was thinking about using my old oil bath filter and wanted to modify it. Looks like I found a new little project.

That (pictured) is exactly what I’m looking for. Please let me know where I can get that setup. My email is

Please send any help that way at least then I’ll be able to find it! Thanks!

@Terry1953, If you're looking for an oil bath air filter, post an ad in Truck Parts Wanted here. BTW, posting your e-mail in the open here will probably get you a bunch of spam. Once you have enough posts, you can communicate via Private Messages with other members. Good luck in your search.

I see one on eBay. Actually a few. Just search for: Oil Bath Air Cleaner
LINK

Here is the conversion I did and posted a few months ago,

I don’t have my truck registered as a collector, but I do show it in the stock class when available.I list that it’s a 261 with 216 bolt on components. I am working on the paper filter conversion. My original oil bath filter is in great condition. So I acquired another one to modify. I cut top (now lid), and uncrimped the bottom baffle from its tube. Added a 1” spacer and filled the slots. I tried to maintain an appropriate 3/4” gap. I made part of the oil bath tube into a sleeve to fit over the filter to act as a temporary “dummy” part to throw off onlookers (maybe?). I still need to patch my tack weld holes and paint the dummy sleeve. The Wix 46078 fits great in the lid. This is my version, similar can be found on you- tube also.

Rick, that is great looking modification, most folks wont be able to tell that it was touched. I had thought of doing something similar with my oil bath filter, yours is much cleaner than what I was planning. Could you pass on the paper element part number. Yep, I'm going to "Barrow" your idea..

Craig - Here's Rick's previous conversion post he mentioned above.

He indicated in there that he used a WIX 46078 as his filter. There are also added pictures in that post that I think he meant to add here, but didn't get attached from some reason.

I like that conversion, Rick!