Okay so I have another one for you guys. I recently found this oil bath air cleaner that fits the single barrel carb for the flathead 6 cyl I have. In doing research on these things, it sounds like many people just take out the filter portion and throw in a paper filter that works because the oil bath cleaners are so messy. This way it looks original but doesn't use the oil. I am on the fence about it because I would like to keep this 1949 F2 as original as possible. So my questions are...Does anyone know if this thing can come apart to clean the filter? If not then how the heck do I get the filter clean? And finally, what is the overall opinion of how these things work and is it worth keeping original? Thanks.

Jonathon.

 

The wire mesh in the removable part shown in your left picture will come clean with a good solvent. A bit of agitation and soaking will help. It appears the base part of your filter has had water in it for a while. Check it closely for pin holes. Pin holes can be repaired by solder. braze, or welding in a new bottom.
The oil bath filter works well although messy.
Edit: With only four posts, welcome.

 

Good to know Ray. Do you recommend a solvent? I would like to soak this thing in Evaporust and then a solvent for the filter. I was reading comments from a tractor forum and soaking it in kerosene seems to be a popular bet. Then hosing it out with hot water and letting air dry.

 

I'll jump in... Oil bath cleaners are outstanding in terms of filtering. They have a certain PITA feature though. Kerosene, mineral spirits, etc. is suitable for cleaning. I just dispose of it along with the waste oil during periodic maintenance. Use oil wt. suitable for engine - 10w30 etc.

 

I have the original oil bath air filter on my 54. I have owned it since 1977 and have never spilled or dripped oil on the engine. Only once did I have a spill. The filter was sitting on the floor of the garage and I kicked it and some sloshed out. So that was operator fault not filter fault.

I have not cleaned it in a while... maybe I should!

 

Step by step thread on the subject:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-cleaner.html

 

Kerosene, diesel fuel, purple power, mean green, simple green, all work well.

 

My oil bath cleaner for the 226 has pin holes in it and is dry so I need to clean my wire mesh as well, thanks for the advise on how to do it. I was thinking of using POR seam sealer on the holes and then coat the bottom with por gas tank sealer, thoughts on that?

If that works to hold oil, is there a gasket that goes on top of the carb to seal the clamp opening to keep it from leaking or will it not leak?

Jonathan B

 

I don't know if the ford oil bath filter empties if you run at full throttle but my dad had a 64 chevy with a 327 and an oil bath breather on it and he always knew when I had driven it because the breather was empty. No oil spilled , it had to be sucked into the carb.

 

Regular gasket works fine. They don't leak, there's only a pint of oil in them, maybe if you get sideways. They may have a bit more of a restriction than a paper filter but in any case it's best to set idle fuel mixture on the carb with air cleaner installed. Long highway runs seem to need a topping off too.

 

I once bought an NOS oil bath air cleaner for the V8 engine. After filling the base with oil, I saw a few leaks. I marked the leaking area on the outside. I removed the oil and cleaned the inside of the base with some brake cleaner (can use carb cleaner too). I then washed it with a mild detergent and dried it. When it dried, I applied JB weld inside the base where the small cracks were. Let it dry and then refilled with oil. No leaks to date.

 

After cleaning as well as possible with solvent of your choice
just run it through the dishwasher. Be sure and run an empty
load through to rinse the dishwasher.

 

If you are married, it is clearly NOT to the same type of woman I am. Lucky you. Oh well, without her, I'd be dead or in jail in less than 6 months.

 

Just explain to her that your hard work bought the damn thing
to make life easier for her because you care. But if she wants to
bitch than tell her you will sell it for truck parts and buy her a
brand new scrub board because you are going to use the tub
from the washing machine for a burn barrel.

 

I have a 7" x 5" paper element in mine because I can't find the top half. Seems the 254 engines had a larger air cleaner throat than the 226's. Would love to find a top half.