How to convert an oil bath air-filter to an air type filter on a 1956 Chevy Truck?

[dolphans1]

How to convert an oil bath air-filter to an air type filter on a 1956 Chevy Truck? Is it possible or recommended?


I really don't know how to ask this question without sounding stupid, but I have an older 1956 Chevy Truck all original with the original oil bath style of air-filter breather.

Can you buy an air type style of air filter to run it as a regular air filter, without the oil inside the same canister?

Is the carb jetted specifically for the oil style breather?

Does it affect performance?

Also I'd like to paint the outside of air filter body top and bottom - do you recommend engine paint or can this things be powder coated?

Thanks .

[mr48chev]

I'm not sure about the jetting and the hard core stock just like it left the factory brigade will be protesting in front of your driveway.

On the other hand first thing I would do is take some measurements and start looking in the measurement section of the air filter catalog.

Round = a given Outside diameter, inside diameter and height. Wix has an easy to navigate chart for filters by size.

Things to remember when you get done cutting it has to seal on both top and bottom of the filter. you need enough space between the wall of the metal housing and the element for sufficient air flow and enough space where the air enters for decent air flow.

[mikebte]

I can not remember the part number for the life of me, but I did this some time ago when I was running the 6 Cylinder. If my memory serves me right, I think the filter was out of a Chrysler application.

[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by mikebte

I can not remember the part number for the life of me, but I did this some time ago when I was running the 6 Cylinder. If my memory serves me right, I think the filter was out of a Chrysler application.

Precisely, like that orange looking style fram filter for the single barrel carburetor. Do you recall the number?
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[mikebte]

Found it, I had originally posted to the link below.

https://talk.classicparts.com/thread...-filter.13733/

Used a CA146 FRAM filter. It was cheep. The K&N is P/N:E-1000

The filter did seal on the bottom, but the surface is slanted. If you could weld or epoxy a flat surface to the bottom sealing surface you would have a nice setup.


I love the oil bath. I am a fan of the oil bath myself. But after lots and lots of hear say I did the research. Found out that GM switch due to they had engine life increase after just swapping a paper filter in the oil baths place. Later on they figured out paper was in fact cleaner. Oil bath is great but it is not the best! GM also found that engine life was greater after running the PCV air intake to the air cleaner, this increased engine life by 40% as opposed to the valve cover air intake. I went threw a lot of old books and lots of searching to find this info. Now, if you ask anyone that has a oil bath what is better, they will insist on oil bath. Oil bath was for the most part better then nothing. The SAE has set standards for air filters and they must clean so good to pass. Oil bath dose not clean dust that well, the idea of oil bath is that it makes a 180 degree bend and slams the air into the oil and then hope the heavier partials would drop into the oil. Oil wetted air filters such as K&N have claim some of the best filtration around, I am currently experimenting with the AEM dry flow filters and also run paper and K&N filters.

[dolphans1]

I found this on a search. http://www.classicpartsusa.com/product/ACF36_1956/1956_Truck_Parts_Carburetor_Items?gclid=Cj0KCQjwx43ZBRCeARIsANzpzb_TkIM11EUj0RTaenvMldox5sQ2hNpWMv5v V7nLKPsMxBJAMozY6ZcaAnNnEALw_wcB
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[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by dolphans1

I found this on a search. http://www.classicpartsusa.com/product/ACF36_1956/1956_Truck_Parts_Carburetor_Items?gclid=Cj0KCQjwx43ZBRCeARIsANzpzb_TkIM11EUj0RTaenvMldox5sQ2hNpWMv5v V7nLKPsMxBJAMozY6ZcaAnNnEALw_wcB
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[mikebte]

Seems a little small for a main air filter. Maybe its for multiple carburetor set up.

[mikebte]

Are you looking to change out the whole set up for something such as this? Cause that is kind of what it's sounding like.

http://forums.devestechnet.com/forum...e-design-truck

[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by mikebte

Are you looking to change out the whole set up for something such as this? Cause that is kind of what it's sounding like.

http://forums.devestechnet.com/forum...e-design-truck

Sorry I missed your response Mike and Thanks, I was going with the original setup. I never got the email response you replied and have not been online much.

[mr48chev]

That Fram CA146 also comes out as a WIX 42011 or some other numbers.
If you click on the blue 42011 it shows what it fits. https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/fr...ir+filter,6192

Specs are https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...k=360104&jsn=3

[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

That Fram CA146 also comes out as a WIX 42011 or some other numbers.
If you click on the blue 42011 it shows what it fits. https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/fr...ir+filter,6192

Specs are https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...k=360104&jsn=3

Thanks, I was always taught that oil attracts dirt and dust and would prefer they dry paper filter over the oil bath style. I now wonder if an autozone or O’Reilys carries them.
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[dolphans1]

Hello Guys,

I have a follow-up question to my oil bath air-filter case.

The top of the air-filter that sits on to of the bottom case holding the filter, where can I buy that rubber round "O" ring gasket that seals to top cover (on bottom of top of the lid cover) to main bottom case which houses the actual air-filter.

I called LMC truck and no one knew its almost 7"3/4 - 8" inches in diameter, I did a search online and did not find anything.

Anyone know?

Thanks !

[mongocanfly]

If its a o ring you can have one made for it...our local parts store has the ability and so does the bearing and seal place in town

[1project2many]

You may end up at a place that services hydraulic cylinders for that O-ring. You may get away with Nitrile but I'd look for Neoprene or Viton if available. The "flat O ring" may be known as face cut, lathe cut, or square cut depending on the manufacturer. You might be shocked at the prices though. MSC direct shows a 7" OD Buna-N ring at about $14 but prices seem to go up as high as $300.

You could also buy sheets of Neoprene and make your own. Grainger sells a 12" X 12" X 1/8" sheet for $5.60. I'd feel like I could try twice at that price.

[dolphans1]

Here is what I did tonight, I flipped the older gasket around and used pliobond and reused it. There's a small gap due to shrinkage, do you think this will work? There's a small gap there.

[mikebte]

I put a little oil on the face of the air filter cause the metal sat on the filter and creates a seal. The seal you speak about was not used in my set up.

[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by mikebte

I put a little oil on the face of the air filter cause the metal sat on the filter and creates a seal. The seal you speak about was not used in my set up.

Thanks Mike for the advice.

[cmayna]

Instead of converting an oil bath filter, why not just get a dry filter of the right height and carb diameter? Couple years ago, I switched my oil filter to a dry filter.

Craig

[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by cmayna

Instead of converting an oil bath filter, why not just get a dry filter of the right height and carb diameter? Couple years ago, I switched my oil filter to a dry filter.

Craig

That's exactly what I am trying to do, convert to dry versus oil but keep the same canister.

[dolphans1]

Here's my set-up.

[cmayna]

Very nice work.

[dolphans1]

Originally Posted by cmayna

Very nice work.

Thanks Craig.