Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

I'm thinking of adapting this air cleaner to my late '30 CCPU. The theme of my truck is basically 'working during the war years'.

It's a centrifugal type air cleaner probably from a vintage agricultural engine of some sort. The 2" air cleaner outlet matches nicely to my Zenith Model B 2" inlet. I can connect the two with a custom-bent steel pipe, and I can mount the air cleaner in a non-invasive manner at the upper firewall. The cast adapter elbow would be discarded.

It spins nicely, especially after I cleaned and lubed it. It should be entertaining to watch once its mounted and running. I told one of my kids its a turbocharger, I think I had him going for couple of seconds :rolleyes:

Any ideas as to the age or what it may have been from originally? Hey you farm guys, here's your chance to show off your knowledge!

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

Chrysler cars of the 1920s had air cleaners like that. Maybe others too. It'll be a nice touch and great talking point.

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

I can see that being advertised as a "forced air" or "turbocharger" unit.
Now get that thing out of California before someone turns it into a bong.

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

I thought J.C. Whitney used to sell these and they called them superchargers. Improve gas mileage etc.. Jack

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

I could be wrong but I believe western auto used to sell one either like this or very similar to it. It’s been close to fifty years since I worked for them and the memory is not always as good as I would like. I believe it sold for around 3-4 dollars . And it fit multi make cars

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

I don't think that is an "air cleaner" in that there seems to no collection point for foreign matter. Just another whiz bang gimmick,,,,,,

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

There is no collection point because there is no point collecting the dirt. It is thrown outwards by the spinner and the clean(er) air for the motor is drawn from the centre of the swirl. The dirt just falls out the bottom of the cleaner onto the ground (where it came from, ready for the next passing car!:D)

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

Exactly right. :)
...especially the part about "clean(er)" LOL

Re: Does Someone Recognize This Vintage Centrifugal Air Cleaner?
 

So I came upon this 1922 patent. https://www.google.com.gi/patents/US1438553 .
Looks like it matches the air cleaner that I posted in #1.

You can see by the attached photo of the other air cleaner tag that United Mfg holds (held) the 1438553 patent. The air cleaner shown is for a Model T.

I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that these air cleaners were made by United Mfg well into the 1930's, maybe even up until the war..

Previous posts about these air cleaners being used on 1920's cars were right. My guess that they were used for vintage agriculture equipment applications was incorrect.

I love finding out these little historical tidbits :)