The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Removing the Oil Bath Air Filter?

Ok. So I have found one way to remove my oil bath air cleaner and that is to install a holley 1946 carb, Is there any other way to do this using the model B carb. Im thinking I may have to be the first to make an adapter for this. Thanks guys.

??? What does changing the carb have to do with removing the air cleaner?

It is a bit confusing. Are you asking how you can replace the oil bath with a dry element filter?

I've got dry filters on both of mt B's. They are available for 1-bbl carbs but they're tiny, so I made an adapter to be able to use a 4-bbl air cleaner.
Mr. Gasket offers a plastic adapter, but it's very flimsy, and crushes when the top wingnut is tightened. I got rough dimensions from it and made a 2-piece adapter from aluminum. Works good.

cm

Several people here have solved the alleged problem of oil bath filters by gutting out the filter housing and adapting a paper-element filter to the original-looking part. Most oil bath filters have two sections, a horsehair-filled pre-filter, and an oil reservoir to catch the heavy chunks as the air makes a 180-degree turn right over the oil on its way back up to the top of the filter housing. With routine maintenance, there's nothing at all wrong with an oil bath filter. Wash the woven part in solvent like mineral spirits or Diesel fuel, and change the oil in the filter at every engine oil change. Straight 30 weight works best in the filter.
Jerry

Sorry. the resone for replacing it is cause there is no way to hook a wing nut to it for a air filter. the oil bath tightens at the neck.

You can install a dry element inside the original oil bath breather.If you do a search on it,you will find the part number for it.


Tim

Look around at swap meets, I found two matching oil bath cleaners with wing-nut hold downs for a two carb intake I am working on. These came from Studebaker's I think, at least thats where I found replacement decals for them. I gutted them and installed dry furnace filter material.

One other option is to use a piece of exhaust tubing the same diameter as the carb top, then weld a cross piece over the top so you can wing-nut this adapter to the carb, then clamp the filter to the adapter. It will set a littler taller, but should work out pretty slick.

Joe

Is your issue with the wingnut or the oil bath air filter?

where do you get the stuff to make a oil bath into a dry element...

I picked up an 8" diameter by 2" tall element from my L.A.P.S.

I took an extra oil bath air cleaner, took out the filter element and cut the inner metal up to the point where it looked original but would allow the paper filter to operate. I took this whole assembly down to the Autozone and matched a paper filter. I don't remember the filter number but it was not that hard.

Best of luck

I just used 7 or 8 layers of filter material from the hardware store. I bought cheap house furnace filters and cut circles out of it to replace the horse hair. I figure no more then I drive a year, and a bunch of shoved in to place, it should be good to go.

Joe

Cool thanks guys. I guess the real issue is the wing nut. Ill go up to Autozone and see what I can find to drop in.

Here is how I converted mine on a 57 3100 with a V8 and oil bath to K&N style oil bath conversion

Or the direct link oil batch conversion to K&N

Well I was able to remove the oil bath and put in a paper filter on my 235 model B carb. Posted some pics. Used a CA146 FRAM filter. It was cheep. The K&N is P/N:E-1000

Here is the pics:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3364051/1959-chevrolet-apache/page-7

SVWILBUR, You still there?
I am working to convert my 283 air cleaner to one with the K&N 3230 filter. Followed your threads and pictures. Question: Appears I need about 1 inch more height to get the correct profile. I presume you made that up with the double sided tape. Did you use something on the cap (mates to top of filter) to make up some profile or did all the height addition come from the base?
How did the double sided tape hold up? Thinking of the grease as an option, but not sure I will be able to make up the additional height needed. Any follow on advice?
Hambone

His last post was 3/25/12. You might send him an email if it's in his profile.

So are oil bath filters no good?, Are they suppose to have a prefilter?, Is a dry filter better?,Not trying to hijack this thread just confused.

alltruck - oil bath filters are the best if properly cared for [especially in very dusty conditions], but many folks that don't really use the trucks don't like the "mess"

Bill

since I live on a dirt road, I should probably use the oil bath. Is it just changing the oil and using gas to clean the mesh the maintenance required?

yes, keep it clean and especially don't overfill, they work well

Bill

Found on the NAPA site a listing of all their air filters by size, sorry don't have the link but it's out there.

I good news is, I have 2 air cleaners. One modified and one old style. As I work out the details of the paper filter set up, I intend to use the oil. I have heard the oil is a good way to go, minus the potential mess and emissions. Thanks for replies.