Oil Bath to paper element?

[Mr. Belvedere]

Has anyone figured out how to turn the stock coffee can oil bath air filter into a paper element type? So it will look stock but have the advantages of better filtration. Thanks Richard

[Norm's Coupe]

Go to this link: http://www.indfloorcoating-repair.com/1948plymouthenginerestoration.html

[randroid]

Mr. Belvedere,

Several of us have done that, myself included, and the most difficult part is not cutting your hands on the jagged metal you'll be ripping out. NAPA has a paper filter that drops in place, the number of which eludes me at the moment but I'll post it if nobody else remembers.

One of the gents in the Forum posted some self-explanatory photos. I don't have them anymore but perhaps that member would re-post them again?

-Randy

[Mr. Belvedere]

Thanks Norm, I new some one out there had done this before!

[Guest Dodge Joe]

I took my oil air cleaner and cut it to remove the fiber. Then I cut all around the top part so it would not show from the outside when I put it back on. Then on the bottom part I cut out medal to fit all around the inside except hole for the carb. It should fit flush. I then went to NAPA and they have a book on all sizes on air filters and got the one I wanted. I fitted it to my air cleaner and used a stop nut so as not to over tighten the filter. Works Great!!!!!

[Mr. Belvedere]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind, it seems like the older cars had shorter air cleaners such as the one in Norms pic, mine seems a little taller then that one.

[Norm's Coupe]

Shel,

Shel is right. The picture I posted here is actually the same air cleaner that is painted silver on the car. I cut the insides out prior to cleaning up the air cleaner and painting it. It's all the same air cleaner though. I guess painting it silver just made it look taller in pictures. Could be because of the angle and distance from where the picture was taken too.

[grey beard]

The only problem with all this advice is that there are at least TWO sizes of air cleaners used on these vehicles. What works for Harry may not necessarily be missionary stew for Tom, etc. My truck air cleaner is four inches higher than many I have seen - even has a vertical brace from a ahead bolt to steady it, and was billed as a heavy duty option. Different size air cleaners require different size paper air filters, logic would seem to say. My own larger air filter took a NAPA 46184, just for the record.

Suggestion. When you take your whiz wheel to cut out the center horsehair part of your filter inside the lid, make your cut about two inches lower than the top of the lid. All the stuffins will still come out, but the two inch lip you leve will keep anyone from ever seeing the paper filter peaking out at you. I cut mine flush wirh rhe lid and wish I had done otherwise- may find another lid and re-cut to make it looik a little more professional. JMHO:)

[Norm's Coupe]

Dave, I make note of the different size air cleaners on that web page. That's why everyone was saying to measure or take the housing to the parts house to fit a paper filter to it.

Also, you don't need to cut out any of the outer edge of the top half. Just cut the cross supports at the outer edge at the bottom of the top half and the whole element will pull out. That leaves the whole side intact, including the rounded edge at the bottom of the top half as original.

[Mr. Belvedere]

Excellent advice, one other question, do these filters from napa or purelator or whoever sit flat to the bottom and top of the air cleaner once the lid is back in place and wing nut is snugged up. At least to a place that your satisfied that its an airtight seal? Thanks again.

[rearview]

The rubber on the bottom edge of the element will mold to fit the ridges in the bottom. No worries.

[M. Cross]

Another good location to obtain the filters is a Tractor Supply Store, if you have one close by.

That's where I buy mine, and they drop into the can like they were made for them.

Regards! Mark

[Mr. Belvedere]

Thanks for the pics and advice. I feel armed with Knowledge, which makes me really dangerous!

[Merle Coggins]

I cut out a donut shaped piece of sheet metal and layed it in the bottom with some silicone sealant. I now have a nice flat surface on the bottom.

The filter I use fits nicely, although the outer edge squashes down a bit due to the domed top. But at least I know it's sealing.

It's a Napa 542196 filter.

[Mr. Belvedere]

Hey now thats an engine to dine on! I see the fenders are off are you mid restoration and if so on what?

[Merle Coggins]

Fenders? We don't need no stinkin' fenders.

Mid restoration? I like to call it mid resurection. It's a 1950 B2C 3/4 ton truck.

Merle

[Normspeed]

Go get 'em Merle!

[DonaldSmith]

"The filter I use fits nicely, although the outer edge squashes down a bit due to the domed top. But at least I know it's sealing."

I modified my oil bath cleaner like those described earlier in this thread.

For the top of my paper air filter, I cut the top off a coffee can about a half inch down from the top, punched a hole in the middle, and set the can top over the cartridge. That gives a flat area to seal the top of the cartridge. I have a rubber washer around the shaft where it comes through the can top. then the original air cleaner top goes over that. Seems to work fine.

[Jim Gaspard]

I've just completed my conversion from oil bath to paper filter for my B3B. Thanks for all the information on this string, particularly Merle's tutorial to modifying his steel oil bath. I followed a similar path, but found another paper filter from NAPA that fits perfectly. My oil bath is 7" high X 9 1/4" diameter. The Napa paper filter #2193 is 3 7/8" high X 7 1/8" diameter. Photos below show: 1- gutted can; 2-filter in upper can; 3 filter in lower can; 4. installed on engine.

Jim in Dallas