The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Grace & Co. Air Cleaner

Does anyone have experience with these air cleaners? They recommend using oiled UniFilter foam, much like a K&N filter, as there is a screen but no air cleaner element. Love the look and size. Wondering how well they work in use.

Grace & Co. Air Cleaner


Thanks.
Ron

I used to use the KN filter on the '76 F150. I hate those things. A regular paper filter is a lot easier to deal with and breathes better in my opinion.

The KN, Airhog, and similar oiled filters require a lot of maintenance. You have to clean them frequently with special cleaner, and then spray them with the specified oil.

If you still have your factory oil bath filter, I'd keep using it. If you have the oil impregnated steel mesh filter, you can keep using it or swap it out for a paper filter. The restoration houses sell new mesh filters, too.

This truck came to me with a paper filter and they has worked well for the last 5 years and over 10,000 miles of driving.

I'd like to have a pancake filter, but they bring ridiculous prices. Last year I found a running engine with a pancake filter on it. Filter alone was worth half the asking price, but I was too late, someone else got there first. I've seen the aftermarket look-alikes, but not sure I want to go that route.

What's on it now?

Nothing. It came with the stock Rochester, but I have a Carter YF on it. I have the old oil bath from my 207 engine, but that won't fit the Carter. So right now I have no air filter. I hope to be finished and on the road in the next couple months so need to start thinking about picking something up.

You might be able to find an adapter for your current air cleaner. I thought the Rochesters and Carters shared the same dimensions so the air cleaners could be swapped.

Either way, I bet there's something easily obtained that will work

I think the B and the YF do, but the 207 had a W1 which I believe is a smaller neck. Plus I was looking for something a bit smaller.

I gotcha. I was assuming Rochester B. What's the size difference? 1/8" or so?

Ron - If your willing to drop that chunk of change for one of the Grace & Co air cleaners, what about this one from Classic Parts 6 cylinder style air filter that looks very similar to the original pancake filter? It's smaller than an oil bath unit, but says it fits Rochester B and YF inlets.

They even list replacement paper elements under 86-602. I looked at the Grace & Co ad and it seems you have to order their filter elements (foam) separately from the housing, and are currently listed as "out-of-stock".

Dan, that's exactly the one I was planning to get before I saw the Grace & Co. That one is still an option. Thanks for posting!

That one is a sort of reproduction of the one in my picture.

The filters are easy to find anywhere usually for less than the $20 that Classic wants for them.

NAPA Gold 2375
Baldwin PA678
Hastings AF54
Luberfiner AF213
Fleetguard AF843
Carquest 87375

All that said, I think you can get your original oil bath filter to fit your carburetor for a lot less than $120.

My air filter is the same as Ottos. Using filter Luberfiner AF213. Very clean setup and the filters are very readily available. Highly recommended.

I'm a little crippled from a motorcycle wreck that almost tore my left foot off, but if someone wanted to GIVE me that filter, I think I could outrun him, cane and all!
Jerry

You can always count on Jerry to let you know what he really thinks. Appreciate it Jerry!

What's the problem with the paper filter?

It's the same size as the original oil impregnated mesh filter and doesn't impede air flow. Ol' Roy gets 13mpg average which is probably about what it got when new.

Otto, Jerry was referring to the Grace & Co. filter, not the paper filter.

I would consider a filter element about this size to be a minimum capacity one for a stovebolt six. I could probably fabricate a pretty good looking housing that size from a stainless steel kitchen mixing bowl or a pizza pan.

www.ebay.com/itm/275690986398?

www.ebay.com/itm/406260638127?

Jerry

I agree that it's small but it's the same size as the original. What advantage would a metal mesh filter have over a paper filter?

I have a pair of the Grace & Co filters I bought with the intention of running on a dual intake on my father in law's flathead '50 F-1. They look like nice pieces, but they're pretty small. I started typing how they're sized for Holley 94 or Stromberg 97s, but I looked again and see they offer them sized for 1 barrel carbs. That's cool. I haven't looked at them in a while, but I don't think they're constructed so that you can easily put a taller filter element in them. I'll stick with my pancakes.

Thanks. My mistake.

They told me too small for a paper element. Suggested buying Unifilter foam from Amazon and cutting to fit.

If you can find a base, use this https://www2.wixfilters.com/Lookup/FilterBySize.aspx to find a paper filter in the size you want. Most of the listing have the CFM capabilities of the filter. The smaller filters don't move much air, so keep that in mind.

The metal mesh is less restrictive than paper if cleaned and oiled correctly, I used some perforated aluminum sheeting cut to size wrapped around my paper filter to give it more of old time filter look to hide the modern paper look. A copper or brass mesh would look good also.

To see a really bad idea, look up the filters for the 2" or 3" diameter filters you see on a lot of the " custom cars ", you know the little helmet type filters with a few slots in them, they are for single cylinder lawn mowers!

Interesting. A paper filter was already installed on this vehicle when it came to me. I wasn't even aware that the original filter was of the oil impregnated steel mesh variety.

Only after I stocked in a supply of paper filters did I become aware that a reproduction of the wire mesh filter is available.

However, I keep the paper element clean and blow it out with compressed air regularly so it hasn't become so restricted as to alter the RPM when installed.

I've tested this with an RPM gauge and I can remove the air filter and put it back on with no change in rpm.

When the truck first came to me, however the paper element in place was so filthy that the engine would barely run.

There's a second operation needed after blowing out a paper air filter with compressed air. Soak the filter with 3 ounces of gasoline, then toss a lit match at it. Then go buy a new filter. Compressed air blows holes in paper filter media big enough to pass rocks, marbles, and bowling balls- - - - -might as well not run a filter at all!
Jerry

Seriously? I have very good luck using a paper filter.

So do I- - - - -but "cleaning" one with air pressure is taking thrift to extremes, and can damage an engine. Use it once- - - - -change it on a regular interval depending on how much dust and debris you encounter, and pitch the old filter.
Jerry

I will agree that trying to clean a paper filter versus just replacing it........Since they are pretty cheap, replace it.