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Is this the correct air cleaner for my 1939 Chevy truck? I'll try to attach pics.

Congrats on posting the pictures. I haven't seen that style on any Chevrolet or GMC trucks from any years. I found a couple of pictures in an early parts book and a dealer hand out that are identified as from the late 1930's, but neither of them look like that one.

I couldn't find a listing for a pancake style dry filter in the Chevy Master Parts Books like the one pictured. An ebay offered 1936-40 "dry filter" (actually the mesh is oil wetted to trap dirt) is shown HERE.

Hope this may be of some help.

It's from the right era but I don't think it's a Chevrolet specific filter.

There are a few of pancake filters identical to yours for sale on ebay right now for $75 -$200. None of them are specifically listed as being for Chevrolet. Engine pictures of '39 Chevy trucks don't have that filter that I can find.

This is exactly like the air cleaner that came with my '37. My original owner's manual (see attached picture) shows the standard air cleaner for a '37 truck. The pic also looks like the one I have, but the description talks about removing the cover to periodically wash the copper mesh in gasoline, and re-oil. Mine cannot be disassembled, unless I am missing something. The manual and a repro sales handbook for '37 note that an oil bath cleaner should be used in dusty conditions.
Kent

Kent - Your picture from the 1937 Owners Manual does look close, but it has the square side openings only part way around the perimeter of the unit. His has them all the way around from his pictures.

A pic from a 1940 Owners manual (below) shows a slightly different "dry" filter, much like yours but with a top mounting stud and wing nut to disassembly for cleaning the mesh filter media. The heavy duty "oil bath" filter is shown after the dry filter for perspective.

Mine just go part of the way like Kent's picture.

Let me be clear, I never said that the one on my truck, which looks just like what wingedexperess1 shows in his pictures (including the 3 top ribs), is original factory issue. It certainly could be aftermarket. It looks just like the picture in my owner's manual which does not appear to have a wing nut or stud on top. Yet the manual states that the top cover is removable.

One thing I have learned is that the various factories did not necessarily have identical parts (or precise paint colors) at all times. Perhaps this is another example. Or just aftermarket parts after 80 plus years.
Kent

Gents - understood on both points. No argument from me on what is correct or not. Just sharing info I can see. I wasn't around when these came out - lol!

Perhaps some other '39 owners will chime in.

Happy New Years guys!

I have cleaned many filters back in those days & have never seen like that. It sure would be cool painted black on an old Stovebolt. Copper scrub pads make excellent filter media.

George

How do you get the old stuff out and the new scrub pads in if the top doesn't come off?

Here is a picture of my filter on the truck. The only markings on it is the word "front" embossed on the solid area. If I were to drive in a particularly dusty area I would replace this with an oil bath air filter for sure. The only thing it is good for is to eliminate rocks and birds.

Our Grand Master may note the carb (Carter W-1) which was purchased from him several years ago and it continues to do it's duty.

Kent

Somebody assembled it- - - -maybe with spot welds. Somebody else can probably take it apart, and figure out some way to reassemble it so it can be serviced periodically- - - -possibly with machine screws?
Jerry

The edge looks like it's crimped over. While it could be done, it would probably look pretty ugly after uncrimping the edge and then rolling it back over to hold the halves together.

If the media inside isn't torn up, a bath in some solvent would probably make it work as good as new as far as straining out rock and birds.

Spritzing a bit of light oil on it would help it intercept finer dust. Modern filters like K&N use that system, although they have a bit finer media. But I wouldn't trust that for running up and down dirt roads.