oil bath conversion
 

i want to cut inside of breather and put paper filter
55 fairlane 272
anyone know which fram air filter fits

Re: oil bath conversion
 

This might help.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic131104.aspx

Bottom of his post Ted lists the filter part numbers. I don't know how close this is to your a/c, but Ted says it's a 55 teapot.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

IMO, the oil-bath air cleaner is superior to a paper filter. Oil-bath system is less restrictive on air intake and will still allow air through even when there's lots of dirt in the oil. The paper filter will clog and restrict air flow even more as dirt enters the filter.
Only drawback to the oil-bath type is occasional cleaning and re-oiling can be messy unless you are set up for it. I used to know some folks who would keep a second identical oil-bath air-cleaner cleaned, covered in cellophane and ready to install while using the other one and swapping when the used one got dirty, so they could set the used one aside until they found a convenient time to clean it and store it for swapping back after the other one got dirty.
If the cleaning process involves wiping the exterior of the air-cleaner with solvent (gas or whatever), resulting in destroying the paint finish, then somebody has painted the wrong paint on it. Refinish it with the original FOMOCO Argent silver enamel and you will not have that problem again.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Whether you're talking about a two barrel or a four barrel air cleaner makes a big difference too. Both carbs were available on '55 272's.

Sal

Re: oil bath conversion
 

4 brl T pot holey

Re: oil bath conversion
 

If you're not interested in 100% original integrity, just find a 1957 or later dry type that fits your carb.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

I don't believe a 57-up air cleaner assembly will fit the Holley 4000 "Teapot." Oil-bath air cleaners are efficient, but it sounds like you prefer the convenience of a disposable paper element, which Ford used, beginning in 1957. A paper element is fine. When it's dirty, replace it.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

I am restoring a 56 fairlane 2 door sedan, original oil bath reservoir has filter that can't be replaced....... can it be cleaned, has anyone done it or can I just keep using it like that since air particles fall to ground and rarely into carburetor. thanks for all input

Re: oil bath conversion
 

You must be driving your car over ten thousand miles a year.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Does it have a metallic mesh looking material inside the air cleaner lid?
If I remember correctly (it's been about 45 years) you can rinse them out with solvent then let it dry and re-oil. :confused:
Also drain out the old oil from the base, wash out the base with solvent, dry and refill it to the indicated level.
.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

The 1955-57 Thunderbird parts stores offer a reproduction chrome dress-up air cleaner assembly with a paper element that will fit 55-56 Teapot carburetors, but it isn't cheap.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

When the oil is at the proper level some is sucked up into the mesh when it drains back it carries dirt with it so the mesh is pretty much self cleaning

Re: oil bath conversion
 

dave55sedan is correct in saying that the oil filter is better than a paper filter. I little messy, but no big deal to service

Re: oil bath conversion
 

I've heard that dust particles can still make it through, and that at times the oil droplets can get into the air intake. I've been on the fence about ditching my oil bath, what do you think?

Re: oil bath conversion
 

PERSONALLY ... :D ...

I have no use for one unless the vehicle is a dedicated restoration. A paper element is going to allow some particulate through as will an oil bath but not an oil mist like you describe.

NASCAR outlawed them in the late fifties. Also think of the K&N oil impregnated filter that they say will not allow oil migration but FORD says not to use, period. That filter can and will cause MAF failure and throttle body contamination.

If a nice car maybe find another filter assy to modify and save the best one for either restoration or the next buyer?

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Prior post that you might find interesting:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ner+53%27+Merc

Re: oil bath conversion
 

i have seen someone adapt a washable cone filter. Depends on the amount of fabrication you want to get into.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

I bought a replacement top cover as the original has a couple of dents in it. Is there a way to use the new cover with a paper filter with the existing base? This is for a 55 T-bird.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

REFER TO - https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...97#post2318697

Re: oil bath conversion
 

They are fire hazards on an automobile. That is why NASCAR outlawed them (and also why the manufacturers went to the dry type).

It is bad enough to run the roads with a H4000 with the fuel bowls above the carb venturies, but an oil bath ACL just adds another seat cover sucking situation if that oil ignites.

They are fine (IMO) for a dedicated restoration or a farm tractor if you don't pull wheel stands with it.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Has anyone actually done a pair of comparison oil samples or is that just speculation?

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Actually I did, for mine. I have an original oil bath and the one I converted to a (paper) K&N. then drove the car over the same road, same speeds, and I found that the one with the K&N in it, gave me better performance. That could just be me or just my car.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

You're correct. The filter is less restrictive and hopefully will catch particulates a normal filter media will catch using an oil film on the filter media. That is why it needs to be serviced on a regular basis (clean and oil).

An oil bath filter assy diverts air intake flow so as to have heavy particulate fall out of suspension and be caught/absorbed by the oil bath.

The problem with a K&N type is on an EFI, the oil may foul the MAF SENSOR or leave an oily buildup on the intake tract and throttle body.

The only way I know to compare air flow/intake is to put each style ACL on a carb and flow bench.

Same with a HP OIL FILTER. The filtering media is less restrictive to allow full oil pressure and flow. The oil filter on a HP engine is changed much more frequently according to it's build.

So you see how it interferes with proper airflow for a modern engine (IMO).

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Actually I was talking about oil analysis and the measure of silicon in the oil.

I belong to a diesel engine forum where the theory came up that paper filters are better than oiled cloth filters. My Dodge/Cummins is on a 30,000 mile oil drain schedule. I sample every 15,000 miles. My silicon PPM count is lower than any paper filter sample that has been posted, and they are all less than 10,000 mile samples. It is true that some oiled filters contaminate MAF sensors and so on. They are those whose owners believe if a little oil is good, more is better. If I over oil mine, which I did once, the residue shows up on the intake blades of my turbocharger.

I doubt that anyone of us drives their classic enough to even consider extended drain cycles and it is highly unlikely that there are many, if any, analysis data sheets. I, for one, modified my air cleaner to accept a paper filter. I do plan to send in a sample after I've put some miles on the engine. My focus is wear metals, water and coolant.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

And while still in b!tching mode - :p

Hope she never hiccups or backfires as the engine will most likely get an oil bath and if used on a HP engine, WOT is going to suck on the actual ACL oil level.

If you read the SERVICE DECAL/SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS closely, it tells you to check the oil level frequently as not all suspended oil in the element drains back into the sump. One reason INSTR call for different weight oils for different outside ambient temperatures.

How long would you have to soak the actual filtering section to actually have it come clean (if it ever does)? How long to allow it to air-dry before re-installing?

Few liken this to a SPIN-ON OIL FILTER upgrade.

Re: oil bath conversion
 

Sorry…posted to wrong thread.