[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Dec-02 AT 12:41 PM (EST)]My '52 F-1 is all original, 239 flathead and has the stock oilbath air filter. By the summer I will have pulled the engine for repainting and gasket replacement, I will also be getting dual exhaust done after the engine is back in.
Now that you know the basic layout, my question is this... my cousin gave me a brand new air filter for 1 and 2bbl carbs... the element is approx 4 inches by 2 inches, I guess he figured if it is going exhale better, why not inhale better too. But, will this filter be too small? I mean, 4 inch diameter and 2 inch height is pretty small compared to the stock oilbath.
If I was to use a paper element, the oilbath would go back on for car shows, but my truck is also a daily driver.

If you understand what I am asking here, let me know what you think.

 

Converting an oil bath to paper element is pretty easy, although permanant, and can't be seen from the outside. I did my flathead 6 and I assume your oilbath is close to the same size. Check first before cutting.

Here's the sequence:

Clean out all the oil in the oil bath cleaner. It should be double walled so will take some time to drain. I drilled a small hole in the lower outside to help this, and then plugged it with a small screw.

Buy a NAPA 2299 filter, about 6.5" diameter by about 3" high and check how it fits down into the bottom of the oil bath. It should fit nicely in the bottom groove.

Get a 1 gallon paint can lid and drill a hole in the center as close to the same diameter as the air cleaner's center bolt.

Cut through the entire perimeter of the upper filter element about 1" down from the top. This cut needs to be below what's visible through the open area where the air enters the cleaner. You can use a hack saw. I used my dremmel tool. Remove all the old element. You may also have to drill out the center hole to remove more filter material held on the underside of the top.

Place the paper filter in the bottom section. Place the paint can lid on top. Measure and make a spacer to hold the top high enough above the filter to allow an adequate gap for the air to enter. I used a scrap piece if 3" PVC pipe about 2.5" long. (Anything smaller tends to let the top wobble too much.)

Drop on the top and wing nut it on.

Oil bath cleaners are routinely available on ebay for $25 to $35, so you can buy one for the modifications and keep your original for show.

Good luck,
Johann

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Dec-02 AT 02:29 PM (EST)]Nono.. that isn't what I meant... I will keep the oilbath an oilbath and use it for when the truck is on display as original. What I have is an air cleaner assembly, has a chrome bottom, top plate, wing nut, all that stuff. What I want to know is, is it a bad idea to put it on? It is one of the open sided ones, I've seen closed sided and some with louvers.. but no open sided like this one. I mean, it is so small that it reminded me of a slightly oversized valve cover breather.

 

Those 4" air filters are pretty common on deuce carbs. Arguments go back and forth as to which is better. I'd say try it and check your performance both ways. If you don't trust the paper material you could upgrade to a K N re-usable one.

 

my oilbath filter is converted to paper and held on with a screw type clamp thats clamps under the filter housing its kinda like a hose clamp the way it works. is this a newer carb? just curious! thanks julie

 

the reason i ask if its a newer carb is mine dont have room to put a stud in the middle of the carb or anywhere cus i was gonna add aftermarket filter and it wouldnt work

 

Sounds like you have a stock 2 bbl Holley/Ford carb. The oilbath filters and the hotrod aftermarket filter housings all attach the the neck of the carb body with a band/screw connector. The stock oilbath has a long rod that protrudes out from under the housing so you can tighten it easily. The stock carbs don't have a boss for a stud mount in the center of the carb throat.

Jegs and I believe Speedway have various adapters that you could probably use to make a larger paper filter work, but you'll have to be creative.

 

It isn't that I don't trust the paper element, but what I mean is, which would be the smarter way to go? I am pretty sure the oilbath robs a lot of power, but what I am unsure about is if the engine will be more vulnerable to problems as it has never been rebuilt but still runs and has incredible compression for a 50 year old daily workhorse.

 

Morning Karm,
You won't hurt your engine by using a paper filter. I think you're 50/50 on that issue, so use the one you like. If the oilbath were that superior it'd be on new cars today. When I take the bath off my '48 I'll likely use a K&N type.

The oil bath is dirtier under the hood without constant cleanup. But the 'filter' is cheaper. Paper is cleaner and more expensive. They both do the job IMHO.

 

I guess it is settled then, I'll use a paper filter for the daily driving and the oilbath for show.

Thanks for the information guys!
-Kevin

 

Karm and others:
I don't know about performance (or lack thereof) but I would keep the oil bath. I know your truck is a flathead but on the Y-block Web site a while back there was a thread about this question. The basic concensus was that the oil bath "cleaned air" better than a paper element. They also mentioned the reason Ford and others went to paper elements. The reason escapes me now, but it was not because paper was better. I think it had something to do with economics. The Y-block web site is at: http://members.aol.com/Yblock/YBLOCK.htm If you ask the question (or check the archives) I am sure you'll get the answer.
I have the oil bath air cleaner on my '54 239 F-100 for 25 years and have never had any spill or mess from this. Preserving a well running 50 year old engine would be my main concern. But remember... it is your truck you can do anything you want!
Good luck, Abe

 

 

Well, as it turns out I will be keeping the oilbath, mainly because I saw it this way..... I wanna do a bunch of work to the truck over the winter/spring before the snow melts. I already have a perfectly good oil bath, and if I take the paper one back (which was a Christmas gift) then that adds more money to the truck fund