Doc
08-04-2010, 05:57 PM
After considering the pros and cons of making the conversion from an oil bath to paper filter air cleaner, I decided to do so following Domholdt's instructions (thanks again to Pat for making those available to all of us--check the Domholdt Archives in the Documents Library). While the purists amongst us may object, I'm convinced that this simple and totally inconspicuous alteration will make our car easier to maintain and ultimately even more enjoyable.
The Domholdt instructions are totally straightforward; my only variation was purchasing the appropriate weatherstripping from a local supplier, but the source he cites (Restoration Specialists) still has the materials available that he cites. The key information is the appropriate air filter (Fram CA 176 or the equivalent). While that filter probably isn't on the shelf at your local parts store, it was widely used in GM products during the muscle car era and is readily available (it took my parts store one day to get it in stock).
My only reservation in making the conversion was fear that I might damage the air cleaner cover when I removed the wetted part of the oil bath that hangs down from the cover. However, it turns out that part is attached by only the crimp (no welds) and is easily removed (apparently 50 years of being covered by an oil mist keeps the parts from rusting together)--a couple of taps with a cold chisel and it was separated.
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/markii1956/IMG_0719.jpg
The Exacto knife points to the crimp where the oil bath element attaches to the cover.
A new rubber gasket is the bottom of the oil reservoir provides an air tight seal for the bottom of the filter. I used a slightly larger gasket than Dumholdt recommends and believe that it holds the paper filter tight to the cover, so I did not use a top gasket as he recommends. I will verify that seal is tight after I've run the car; if the top gasket is needed, it will be a simple addition.
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/markii1956/IMG_0732.jpg
The Exacto knife points to the new gasket in the bottom of the oil reservoir pan.
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/markii1956/IMG_0733.jpg
The blades attached to the cover that formerly held the wetted element of the oil bath keep the paper filter in proper alignment.
Total time to make the conversion: less than an hour (most of that time is spent cleaning out the residual oil, especially under the flange where the snorkel attaches). Total cost: air filter less than $10; weather stripping less than $20. This is one of those "if I can do it, anyone can do it" kind of jobs.
The Domholdt instructions are totally straightforward; my only variation was purchasing the appropriate weatherstripping from a local supplier, but the source he cites (Restoration Specialists) still has the materials available that he cites. The key information is the appropriate air filter (Fram CA 176 or the equivalent). While that filter probably isn't on the shelf at your local parts store, it was widely used in GM products during the muscle car era and is readily available (it took my parts store one day to get it in stock).
My only reservation in making the conversion was fear that I might damage the air cleaner cover when I removed the wetted part of the oil bath that hangs down from the cover. However, it turns out that part is attached by only the crimp (no welds) and is easily removed (apparently 50 years of being covered by an oil mist keeps the parts from rusting together)--a couple of taps with a cold chisel and it was separated.
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/markii1956/IMG_0719.jpg
The Exacto knife points to the crimp where the oil bath element attaches to the cover.
A new rubber gasket is the bottom of the oil reservoir provides an air tight seal for the bottom of the filter. I used a slightly larger gasket than Dumholdt recommends and believe that it holds the paper filter tight to the cover, so I did not use a top gasket as he recommends. I will verify that seal is tight after I've run the car; if the top gasket is needed, it will be a simple addition.
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/markii1956/IMG_0732.jpg
The Exacto knife points to the new gasket in the bottom of the oil reservoir pan.
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/markii1956/IMG_0733.jpg
The blades attached to the cover that formerly held the wetted element of the oil bath keep the paper filter in proper alignment.
Total time to make the conversion: less than an hour (most of that time is spent cleaning out the residual oil, especially under the flange where the snorkel attaches). Total cost: air filter less than $10; weather stripping less than $20. This is one of those "if I can do it, anyone can do it" kind of jobs.