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

In the process of overhauling my carb, I decided to clean up the oil bath air cleaner, too. After sloshing it around in cleaning solvent like the manual said, I noticed that metal fibers were breaking off from the filter mesh. Question: does anyone know of a source of new metal fiber filter mesh for an oil bath cleaner? I'm not even sure there is a way to install it since the housing seems to be sealed. I would appreciate any ideas.

I don't know the answer to your specific question - but for my Willys CJ-2A I've been thinking of picking up a K&N filter which is close in size and fitting it inside the oil bath cannister somehow. Technically the K&N is an oil bath filter, just without the "bath" part!

-Boyo

I used a coupla stranded metal pot scrubber thingies (not steel wool, but more like little shiney miniature ribbons all bundled together) I saw at the Fred Meyer store and fed / poked em in through the holes in the bottom after pulling all the mesh out that was falling apart.

This may seem like a stupid question but, what are the possibilities of the oil in the cleaner
leaking out on the manifold and catching fire? Especially on rough roads and such?

Ken, I like your idea. Seems simple enough and it should be effective since the oil (and not the metal fiber) is supposed to capture the dirt, bugs, etc. Thks.

a-just-r
little to none, as long as ya don't way overfill the thing [there's a fill line] and keep the truck right side up the oil bath has always been the best way, just messy so got dropped eventually.

Bill

Burning oil aint the problem, it's the gasoline in the leaky carburetor! I've seen it drip onto the hot manifold and sizzle. It's a wonder all these old trucks haven't burned to the ground a long time ago.

I'm in the process of trying to fit a K&N into my air cleaner. Definitely the best way to go. You get all the benefit of an oil bath plus you get better flow (more flow=more go) plus you get to keep stock appearance. But then I'm a big fan of the sleeper route. Shouldn't take much, air in on one side, out on the other. And if ya screw it up, the things are a dime a dozen, unless you are ebay dependent, then they are $450. You need a sympathetic parts guy who is willing to help you find the K&N with the dimensions you need in his catalogue. Stay away from the store that isn't interested.

Ryan

Be warned that K&N's don't filter out small particles very well, even worse than a paper element.

I had the heavy-duty deeper oil bath on my '48 so I found a deep Fram for it. I wanted to save the oil mesh top for later so I found something else to cover the Fram. It's shown here:

http://www.geocities.com/chevtruck48/flatbed.html

does anybody know if the 305 V6 that GMC made in the 60's had oil bath air filters, or were they the dry paper type. I dont have the origional air filter housing, I am using a chevy nova housing right now, and I am looking for one for my engine.

My 54 2-ton now has removed element and replaced with paper stock Phord unit that fit dimensions of inside of canister. The H*** with oil mess and all, just replace when dirty. Just make sure it seals at all the top and bottom spots and no "free" air gets by it. Took my canister into store all cleaned up and guy let me go thru the wall of filters and try some in it.

As Josiah says, K&N's do not do a great job on the small particles. If you live in a very dusty environment or drive a dirt roads a lot, may not be the best solution. If you are a city dweller or spent most of your time on pavement, small particles won't pose much of a problem, unless you are putting serious miles on that engine every year.
cheers,

Ryan