1963 FI Air Cleaner Finish and Mystery Filter

[Joe S.]

Picked up the Air Cleaner system from my father's basement today to start getting it ready. The entire system has what I would consider a flat black finish on it which looks terrible. I like the gloss black look on it. I have also seen where the latches are silver/zinc plated.

So - suggestions:

Strip and paint Gloss Black
Strip and Paint Semi-gloss Black
Strip and Powder Coat (about 90%?)
All black or all back with silver/zinc latches

Also, this filter of course is not correct, but does anyone know what it is and if anyone still makes a replacement that would work.

The rubber hose also looks like it may be the thinner replacement.




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 FI Air Cleaner Finish and Mystery Filter

loose the filter element-- i'd guess its a fram but what it isn't is a gm original which will have the AC part # debossed in the outer face of the element. the a/c itself was gloss black when it left st. louise(including the latches) NORS ac fiter elements(without the ac part # debossment) have been pretty common at august carlisle meets the past couple years 10 to 20 bucks for nors. NOS with logo about 50 to 100 BUT the element isn't judged. mike.

[Bill Jackson]

Re: 1963 FI Air Cleaner Finish and Mystery Filter

Looks like you are missing the wire cone that holds the foam filter. The foam is available from Corvette Central and has the AC logo on it. They list the screen in the catalog. Haven't needed it so don't know what it looks like.

[Bill Jackson]

Re: 1963 FI Air Cleaner Finish and Mystery Filter

The color underneath the original service sticker on mine is quite glossy; something along the line of a new voltage regulator cover or slightly more gloss. I'd guess it was a gloss paint applied by whoever made the parts.