VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 cleaniing air filter on 1950 chevy

What is the best way to clean the air filter on a 1950 chevy with235 engine? As I recall we used to use solvents at the gas station.

thanks

If it is a dry mesh filter it can be washed in gas, air dried, and re-olied. Could be placed in the dish washer but your wife may not approve of that.

Anyway to replace the mesh? Mine was dry and brittle so I worked it all out in dust and tiny pieces. Not sure what to replace it with and how as it is a sealed compartment?

I believe they are available in reproduction.

Chevs of the Forties has replacement mesh although I've yet to figure out how to get it out.

They show a copper mesh on a roll. I'll have to look at the openings I may be able to thread it in with the long hemostat I used to pull the old pieces out?

A couple of pages to read, to refresh yourself on GM's idea of cleaning,etc.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/06engine/6_092.HTM

If you can't figure how to get it out you have an oil bath air cleaner. The dry mesh unit is easily removed by removing the winged not and taking the lid off. Common to find an oil bath air cleaner on cars that went to dusty areas....it was an option the dealer could order along with options like an automatic transmission and two tone paint.

If memory serves, the Shop Manual recommends cleaning with kerosene, so if you can't remove the mesh, maybe you can rinse it in the cleaner.

The 1934 shop manual says "High test gasoline".....the 1942 manual says gas, ....the 1957 says cleaning solvent.
I say the dish washer

'49 to '53 manual (above) speaks of cleaning solvent.

The father in law and I tried to pull apart the original and finally decided it was "pressed" and spot welded together. So that lead me to the hemostat treatment to remove the crumbling interior.

Here's a picture of my parts car filter, same same but the material seems intact, dirty as
heck however.




My rehabbed version, except for the interior material. I think I'll order that mess from Chevys of 40s and try and thread in a bunch.

That is an oil bath air cleaner. Must be filled with #50 oil up to the full line. The oil catches 95% of the dust so the mesh isn't that important but should be there.

Gene, what did they do back at the dealership when an oil bath air cleaner was really dirty? Was it tossed and a new one used?
Thanks, Don

The mesh in the oil bath air cleaner did not require cleaning. The oil splash from below the mesh would flush off the dirt and it would drop into the oil. The oil got dirty and the dirt settled to the bottom of the oil.