Caddy/Buick 50's breather

[Rodney Bullock]

I have always liked the big buick breathers that were on 50's car. When at the junkyard I would see them however they were always in need of repair. I saw an advertisment for one and sent away for it.

When it came it was primered black so I had it painted. I picked it up today and was pleased with it's look. If I don't get this car finished I am going to bust. I know all of have seen these breathers however you have not seen one on a Studebaker:)

[Norm's Coupe]

Those are neat looking. Should look nice on your Stude.

That post also got me thinking. I'm dangerous when that happens. Wonder how that would look on the P15 flathead? Wouldn't take much to modify it to fit. Just weld in an adapter piece of steel to fit the 1 barrel. May give that a try if I can find one cheap enough at a swap meet sometime.

[Niel Hoback]

Looks like you'll need a lot of braces. That thing would shake the top off of a little one barrel.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Rodney...don't they refer to this as a BATWING air cleaner

[Norm's Coupe]

Looks like you'll need a lot of braces. That thing would shake the top off of a little one barrel.

Thought about that too. If you use the original clamp from the original oil bath cleaner, that will hold it on pretty good. Then modify the brace coming off the head for the original cleaner to go under the Batwing and attach there, that should hold it on and it wouldn't look as bad as the brace dose on the original air cleaner. I do have another stock P15 air cleaner and an extra clamp from another P15 air cleaner to work with. Always have some scrap steel laying around to fill in the larger opening at the bottom. I can roll in the edge of the new opening with the metal fab bead roller.

I always say, "Where there's a will, there's a way". It's worth a try if I can find one cheap enough to experiment with.

[eric wissing]

It looks a lot like a Caddy? Are they the same as the Buick? or just similiar? Eric

[Young Ed]

Rodney what kinda carb does that thing bolt onto?

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed, I think that air cleaner has a larger opening for the carb. So it would have to be modified to fit our carbs.

Giving my last post some more thought, I think I'll pick up just any old cheap air cleaner with the larger opening and give it a little practice. Actually, I've never liked the looks of the stock air cleaner on the P15's. Going on what I said, you could actually make your own to your own style with a welder and other tools I mentioned. Shouldn't be too hard to come up with your own style to look neat. The stock P15 air cleaner looks like a stove pipe to me.

[Rodney Bullock]

Yes, it is sometimes called a "batwing" yes it was used as a cadillac breather as well, It fits a Edelbrock 4bbl 500 cfm. There is a chrome base under it that fits exactly in the bottom. I am sure you could order a base that fits a single barrel. I am thinking that with the way it takes in air and the stude having this large grill I see alot of forced air coming in. It is big however the way it fits it's low and level. I think big breathers are nice for 50's and 60's cars

[Frank Blackstone]

That paint color makes it look even better and more impressive than original color. You have inspired me to seek similar model in my local yard. I think you have a good eye for color schemes. Frank

[Rodney Bullock]

Thanks Frank, You know back in 1973 I was in a macco shop and they had those paint slats on the wall, remember them? I spent hours looking at them and did not like any of the choices, then in 78 they started to use paint books from different auto makers, by 1980 they started having examples from paint companies only the paint had to have been 3 years old to use on cars they painted.When I started really designing and restoring cars I went to mattos paint store, a guy working there was a friend of mine and he got me a paint book from the Dupount company. I could not believe the different samples they had, not to mention it taught me the difference between soilds and effects. From that point on I never thought about original paint colors because they just were not exciting enough for me, this is why when you see a car that I have design 9 out of 10 it's a color that you will not see anywhere. If you are going to do these cars, spend the money, bust the knucle, it's got to be worth the effort:D happy motoring!

[Norm's Coupe]

Rodney,

Can you post a picture of the bottom side? Also one of the inside. Thanks

[greg g]

Cadillac used them on their 4bbl cars. They started with the Carter WCFB and then switched ot Rochester Thermoquads. I think it will also fit Carter afb also. I need to pick up something for my Studebaker with the Carter AFB.

Rodney you have the one from the Studebaker???

[BobT-47P15]

Here's one of those air cleaners on a t bucket i saw a few months ago......

[Plymouthy Adams]

Rochester Quadrajet...Carter makes the Thermoquad..

[Rodney Bullock]

Cadillac used them on their 4bbl cars. They started with the Carter WCFB and then switched ot Rochester Thermoquads. I think it will also fit Carter afb also. I need to pick up something for my Studebaker with the Carter AFB.

Rodney you have the one from the Studebaker???

Greg, my studebaker had a 2 bbl breather you are welcome to that if you can use it. I had to get a 4bbl intake to covert to edelbrock carb, I also have the 2bbl intake manifold.

[Rodney Bullock]

Rodney' date='

Can you post a picture of the bottom side? Also one of the inside. Thanks[/quote']I will get you a pic of the underside:)

[Norm's Coupe]

I will get you a pic of the underside:)

Thanks Rodney. Want to see how it goes together so I can possibly modify an original P15 air cleaner to look like the Batwing. Will be a mini Batwing if it works out.

[Rodney Bullock]

Here you go, remember there is a 3 inch stud that goes from the center of the carb up though the breather with a custom wing nut.

[greg g]

I have a 4bbl. I read on one of the stude boards that the later model intakes could be fitted with airther carb. That is with a bit of machining the 2bbl manifold could be converted to accept the 4bbl. Once the conversion is done it can't be reversed.

I will be looking for a filter nest week at the swap meet. When will you be there???

[Norm's Coupe]

Thanks again Rodney.

One more question. To change the air filter, does the whole top come off, or just the black part?

[Rodney Bullock]

I have a 4bbl. I read on one of the stude boards that the later model intakes could be fitted with airther carb. That is with a bit of machining the 2bbl manifold could be converted to accept the 4bbl. Once the conversion is done it can't be reversed.

I will be looking for a filter nest week at the swap meet. When will you be there???

Glad you mentioned that Greg I will be there on Friday. I have StudeI. bringing some parts for me:) Mybe if you have time you could meet Joe Flanagan.

[Rodney Bullock]

Thanks again Rodney.

One more question. To change the air filter' date=' does the whole top come off, or just the black part?[/quote']once the breather is on the car, the base is the carb you can lift the painted part up and the filter an base remain on the carb. The stud(3inches) is the only thing that holds it all together.

[Norm's Coupe]

once the breather is on the car, the base is the carb you can lift the painted part up and the filter an base remain on the carb. The stud(3inches) is the only thing that holds it all together.

Thanks again Rodney. Thought it looked like the whole top half came off, just wanted to double check.