VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 "53 Chevy Oil bath Air Cleaner

Does anyone know where I can find a filter element for my Oil bath Cleaner ? My Air Cleaner is mising the filter element. I would really like to replace this ai cleaner with a more modern air cleaner (if possible) Any ideas on if there is an air cleaner I could acquire to replace this original air cleaner ? The motor and car is original (235/powerglide), but I don't like this air cleaner ...It smells bad.

Thanks.

little53 (Alan Ricard/Apple Valley, Calif.)

What kind of a filter element do you think the oil bath should have? If it stinks it probably needs a good soaking and cleaning in solvent. I have three of these oil bath air cleaners and the only maintenance they require is clean, clean, then dry and refill to the oil mark with clean motor oil every oil change. These air cleaners are very efficient, probably mores than a paper element type, which is open then becomes clogged with larger dirt bugs etc. in a few miles of driving, even worse in dirty, dusty conditions.

Mack,

I think you missed a big part of what he was saying. I don't think "little53" has the element.

At least that's what I read in what he said.

I don't understand what he means by "it smells bad."

As far as I know, the elements are not being reproduced.

I don't recall what they said, but I do seem to recall some of the guys in here coming up with some clever ideas about what to use instead of the original element. Maybe a search........

Bill.

Thnas for the replies... Yes I am missing the filter element.. According to the Shop manual, there should be a filter element (even for the Oil Bath Air Cleaners... My Air Cleaner body unit is missing the filter element. There is a space where the filter element goes.. I believe this is why the air cleaner smells bad .. The odor even gets into the car.. I have not been able to locate a filter element anywhere. Perhaps they are not being manufactures any more..

Thanks,

Alan

Alan,

As I mentioned, I don't believe the elements for the 53/54 oil bath air cleaners are being re-produced. FYI, they sorta look like "mesh steel wool."

I'd suggest a quick call to The Filling Station to find out if you can get a replacement. Or what they suggest you use.

Here's a link with to The Filling Station Their phone numbers are on the first page.

Good luck.

Bill.

Alan,

I meant to ask; but forgot.

Just what do you mean by "it smells bad??"

Do you smell fuel (gasoline) or what?????

Bill.

This is what The Filling Station has listed. Hope this helps.

Jim S.

"CAR ALL 1949-1954 Air Cleaner Element Copper mesh w/Retainer - 8" OD FS-389 25.00

As far as I know, oil bath air filters don't have a
mesh type element. Mesh is for the standard filters. Oil bath were a heavy duty option. Your
smell may be coming from gear lube used instead of
SAE 50 oil. Gear lube has a nasty smell. My '52
pickup has an oil bath filter and it doesn't smell and my '48 car has one, too. The '52 light truck
owners manual has almost 2 pages (25-27) on air
filters with pictures of each type and how to service them...

The oil bath air cleaner has a mesh filtering element.Its can be seen when the top half is lifted out for changing the oil.Its built in was was not sold seprately.It does not normaly require cleaning as the oil splashing from below cleans it.

I was referring th a element that could be changed easily, I don't know if the mesh inside the center part can be replaced or not with out changeing out the whole center piece, maybe so...
I always wash the two pieces of my air cleaners when first restoreing the air cleaner. I have never had a car or truck of the 49 to 54 with anything but an oil bath, maybe Texas and Oklahoma dealers only used the heavy duty one.

Regularly they appear on the Ebay lists for 49/54 parts for around 20 bucks. Maybe someone in here may even tell you how to check only filters. There are some secret ebay shortcuts for getting exactly what you want, or getting everything listed for 49/54 cars.
Good luck and wash your filter.
Be a good boy!

Thanks guys for all the replies..I spoke to Jerry at the Filling Station and I ordered the 1949-1954 Air Cleaner Element Copper mesh w/Retainer - 8" OD FS-389.. They were out of stock on it, however, it should be here in about three weeks. He said this part should fit right in where the space is on my oil bath unit. I'm going to clean the heck out of my air cleaner and put some clean oil in it ... Hopefully this will get rid of the smell... I also think I may have some gas fumes coming from the AC glass bowl in-line fuel filter... I ordered an new one of these as well.

Thanks again for all the help and Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays to all of you..

This is a great group to talk to..

Alan - Apple Valley, Ccalif.

Good, I hope that fixes up your little 53!