Hey guys, quick question. The air cleaner on my '76 F 1-50 is beginning to rust. It's difficult to find the correct replacement (I'm not big on online shopping) , how would I completely update it? The new air cleaners in stores are nothing like what's on the truck now. I have no clue where to begin.

Ally

 

Welcome to FTE. If you're looking for a stock replacement air cleaner, a junkyard is going to be your best bet. The aftermarket air cleaners you're seeing are most likely of the chrome open-element variety. People (erroneously) claim that having the air cleaner open 360 degrees increases performance, which does have an effect, but it's trumped by the fact that such air cleaners lack a snorkel to draw in outside air. As such, open-element air cleaners can only draw warm under-hood air. In the end, it's going to come down to what you like best.