Air Cleaner

[Dennisfly]

I'd like to keep the look of the original but it is a mess to clean and probably not that efficient. Has anyone supplemented the original housing with a K&N type element? If so, I'd like to see and hear about it.


I want something with minimal resistance so I don't have to re-jet or air balance the carburetor.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Dennisfly

I'd like to keep the look of the original but it is a mess to clean and probably not that efficient. Has anyone supplemented the original housing with a K&N type element? If so, I'd like to see and hear about it.

I want something with minimal resistance so I don't have to re-jet or air balance the carburetor.

[aussie merc]

how do you use this? personally i would stay with the original [they work if there maintained correctly] yes their a mess to clean [depends on how your set up] but not that bad .I have seen them set up with paper elements but cant comment as don't have personal experience with them but can tell you that those socalled HOTROD filters [you've seen them nice chrome things about 4" in diameter just don't work nowhere near enough airflow !

[Brian]

its a bit hard to retrofit K&N filter into early air cleaner[s] as pictured on account of the three supporting ribs for the lid...easier with 37 style. What I do is get some black stockings and by rolling them up I can fit over the openings in the air cleaner, lift, twist, push back down, lift, twist repeat....the idea being to have multiple layers of hosiery as a sort of prefilter element. Actually probably more efficient than the original mesh.

[38 coupe]

You can buy replacement mesh/filter element for your air cleaner. A local club member did that for his 36 Ford and it really improved how his car ran. The old element was so clogged and deteriorated that it wouldn't clean up.
I'm not sure which type air cleaner you have, but here are options for replacement element:
https://thirdgenauto.com/product/new...eaner-element/
https://thirdgenauto.com/product/new...eaner-element/

[mhaim]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I use one for driving and one for show

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by mhaim

I use one for driving and one for show

[tomcarman]

I have an original '35 air filter and here's how someone decades ago got more air. Warning! Don't try this at home. LOL. I'd like to know the story behind the holes but it's lost to history.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by tomcarman

I have an original '35 air filter and here's how someone decades ago got more air. Warning! Don't try this at home. LOL. I'd like to know the story behind the holes but it's lost to history.

[aussie merc]

yup air flow up dirt included at no charge

[Dennisfly]

Aussie Merc - I don't use the car on any unimproved roads. I'm not inclined to use a small "hot rod" filter for sure.

Brian - The design of the three fingers in the housing definitely make a paper filter extremely difficult. Not a bad idea about the stockings.

38 Coupe - Thanks for the references. Mine is like the first one. Mine is still serviceable, it just seems that the element would only remove very large contaminates.

Mhaim & Petehoovie - Yours looks great but my 35 housing won't permit me to do it that way.

Tomcarmen - I don't think I'll go that route!

If I can find some foam, similar to that used in some ATV and lawn mower filters, I might try that. I'm thinking a 1/2" thick strip of oiled foam that runs around the outside of the existing element.

[Willit Stop]

I've been thinking of adapting a shop vac filter.
It might work.

[slowforty]

I used Copper Chore-Boy Scrubbers to replace the metal mesh.
Look nice and cost effective.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by slowforty

I used Copper Chore-Boy Scrubbers to replace the metal mesh.
Look nice and cost effective.

Chore boys are folded and secured with an electric weld in a couple of spots. Work those welds till they break free and unfold the mesh, refolding to the configuration of your air cleaner. Last step is to oil the mesh, which is very effective in keeping elephants out of your engine. It looks great and will pass without deductions on the Concourse.

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

You can buy sheets of Filtron-type foam from Pegasus racing:


https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pr...asp?RecID=8877


I cut a strip to wrap around the outside of the existing copper mesh, which I then oil with air filter foam oil. Have done for years, doesn't affect the carburetion, and is hardly detectable once its oiled if you are concerned about appearance. Not for the concours field though.


Adam

[Seth Swoboda]

Dumb question. What's wrong with the original air cleaner and it's design?

If you must change, find the optional oil bath air cleaner.

[Dennisfly]

Adam,


Thank you. This is just what I was looking for

[Dennisfly]

Seth,


It's messy to service and I don't think it efficiently filters the fine stuff.

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

Dennis, you're welcome. I suspect (but can't prove) that this modern foam does a better job of filtering than the original copper mesh. Pegasus has three grades of foam, this one has the finest pores and I would think is the most effective. Needs occasional cleaning and re-oiling with foam filter oil.


Adam