The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1951 1/2 Ton Air Filter

I have a small air filter in my 1951 truck with copper mesh inside. I have seen pictures of this same air filter mounted on top of a large oil bath canister.
Did these two pieces come as a combined unit in the original 1951 trucks or was the oil bath an option? I am trying to return the truck to original and would like to understand the air filter set up better.

The one you have is standard equipment on that truck. The one with the canister is for cars. It has a silenceing chamber in it. An oil bath air cleaner was an option.

Here are 1950 standard air cleaners for trucks.

Git_Er_Dun,
Are you referring to the air cleaners at the top left ("small air filter in my 1951 truck with copper mesh inside") and the top right ("same air filter mounted on top of a large oil bath canister"}? If yes, does the one on the upper right have an oil bath and/or is the bottom chamber a Silencer?

Here is the optional oil bath air cleaner for 1950 light trucks.

The one top left is very rare and if you have one, hold on to it. The optional link is the one that's the most popular. I have a bunch of those. Now and then, the air with copper mesh type comes on E-bay and they go for quite a bit. When they do come up, you will probably be bidding against me. I have this inherent problem with putting oil in an air cleaner, so I 'upgrade' my trucks to AIR cleaners. Not that its the best or anything, just that its the most manageable for me.

I was afraid of that I have this air cleaner but am missing the top. Im guessing that is the hardest parts to get.

The top left oil-wetted flame-arrestor air cleaner might now be rare but it was probably the most common air cleaner. It would not hurt putting a Parts Wanted ad in the Swap Meet (even stating that you only need the cover/top).

You will be competing with people who are either restoring-to-original or they need two "original style" air cleaners for dual-carb set-ups (I've been there).

Deve,

This is the air filter I have for my 3100. It sounds like I should hang onto it and not bother with the oil bath option, as you have implied.

Photostream

That's the one that's very hard to find. So yeah, hang onto it or sell it to another bolter. Anyone needing an oil bath type, lemme know. I don't like them myself. I have a bunch, and one day a helper decided to box them all up.. so rather than looking inside first, he stacked them very nicely sideways in the box, then put it on the top shelf.

Yeah the one on my truck is the upper one. I don't have the copper mesh part though, someone replaced it with a paper insert air filter.....

John

original oil-wetted element - copper-mesh w/metal rings

modern style paper element (maybe someone will post a less-expensive locally available paper element?)

For those who do not mind destroying an oil-bath filter, they can be adapted to use a modern-style filter element.

I have made the eliments out of copper scrub pads.

The oil bath air cleaner is the BEST air cleaner you can get. It will take out smaller dust particles than anything else. Maximum engine protection.

Tim you are an encyclopedia of information on these trucks. Thanks for all you do! I need to place and order for the copper mesh. I just went to my local NAPA and got a lawn mower filter that fit perfectly. Like the one JC sells. Thanks again!

Deve,

While I prefer the copper-mesh element, I know many other people will prefer the modern element. Post the brand and part number here and people will appreciate that.

I'll have to look at the paper element in mine, see if there is still a readable number on it. Guessing, being 6" filter, sounds about the same as used in Kohler K series engines.

John

I used a Wix 42299 in mine. It's 6.07 OD and 3.07 tall.

Had to extend the threaded rod some to bolt it down but it works

I may have an extra lid for the standard (small) filter. Send me a pm if anyone is interested.

Also, The Filling Station is now selling repops of these, painted and chrome or stainless. These are NOT 100% exactly as original but look nice.
Jim

Guys, we just had a loooong discussion that centered around the
spark arrestor air filter and it's element, pictures and all:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=965041#Post965041

And by the way, I find them fairly common since they were the
original equipment on the stock Stovebolt for many, many years
as Tim pointed out earlier.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Oil bath air cleaners are much more efficient at well, cleaning the air. But are labor intensive. Oil bath cleaners are also less restrictive than paper elements.

Anyone having an extra air filter/air cleaner type, please let me know. I could use about 4 of them. Thanks!

I bet that other people might like them too. Maybe post a Parts Wanted ad in Swap Meet? If someone has one or more for sale, post a Parts for Sale ad in the Swap Meet.

Tim
What book are those pics taken from? Looks very interesting.

Mark,

The image was scanned from the 1949 Chevrolet Truck Data Book for Chevrolet Salesmen. A Truck Data Book Supplement was provided in 1950 (with a booklet describing differences between 1949 and 1950 trucks).

Jim Carter sells a 1949 reprint. The 1950 supplement is most likely not available in reprint.

GM also published those books in A-D years for 1947, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955-1st, (and later years, and earlier years). I am not sure if there were separate books published in 1948, 1950, and 1952. If someone has one, maybe they will post a confirmation.

Those books have the most extensive information about what was standard and optional for each year. If the price list is included, all accessories were also listed. These books and GM Technical Specifications Manuals (available from the GM Heritage Center) are the best reference information for helping people find out what was most likely original equipment and original options/accessories. Most likely because there might be errors, omissions, or "holdovers" or "leftovers" parts at the beginning or end of any model year (and, dealer-installed oddities).

Many thanks, mi Amigo

Edit: On it's way to me

Tim,

On my salesman books the 1948 version is pages added into the 1947 book. I do have a separate dated 1952 version of the book see picture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8374820338/in/set-72157631872034068

Thanks, Brad, I'll keep looking.

[quote=tclederman]
[url=http://www.1954advance-design.com/Web%20images/1950-standard-air-cleaners.jpg]Here are 1950 standard air cleaners for trucks.[/url]

I have the two pound oil bath air cleaner pictured in here. The filtering mesh in the canister is original and brittle and compressed. I have tried cleaning it but its still pretty bad. Can you buy replacement mesh stuff to go in the oil canister? I have not seen it in any of the catalogs.
The truck is a '52 3600 and the engine is a '59 235.

Here you go.
http://www.1954advance-design.com/Web%20images/1950-standard-air-cleaners.jpg

I don't remember but there was a thread a while back telling what to do or what to use. Someone will be along shortly with the right idea's.

Welcome to the Stovebolt. I'm sure you have other bolters in your area. Watch for them.