I recently bought a new air cleaner element. It is foam on a metal grid. If I am reading the service guide right, it says I am supposed to saturate the foam element in oil. Is this correct? And if so what kind of oil, and how wet should it be. Also is there an advantage using this type of filter, over a paper element? Thanks.
-
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
John----
These early oil-wetted foam air filter elements are not an area of expertise for me. However, perhaps I can offer a little information. My recollection is that these elements are saturated with oil and, then, the excess squeezed out. In this manner, you end up with a foam medium which is WET with oil, but not DRIPPING WET. My recollection is that ordinary, light weight engine oil is used. Like 20 wt, or so.
I don't believe that there is any real advantage to the oil-wetted foam elements over oil wetted, disposable paper elements. Originality concerns, of course, might bode for the use of the originals, but, for the sake of efficiency and practicality, I think that the paper elements are probably the way to go. As far as I know, oil wetted foam elements are pretty much relics of a by-gone era. But, they are re-usable and resource-conservant, so maybe their day will come again. In fact, for resource-conservation reason, GM will be using a new type OIL filter on some of it's new engines. This filter will be a canister which, after removal from the engine, will be opened up and the paper/synthetic cartridge replaced. Although the canister, I understand, will be a composite material, does this system sound generally familiar to anyone? Back to the future, perhaps?In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
Is this a K&N filter? I just purchased a repro F.I. air cleaner assy for my '58 and it has one. It says on the element to oil before use. I looked K&N up on the web and they sell a spray to treat the filter with before use. It may work for you.Comment
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
Here's the exact verbiage from page 6M-2 of the '63 Corvette shop manual.
4. Remove support screen from element and wash elemnent in kerosene or mineral spirits; then squeeze out excess solvent. Note: Never use a hot degreaser or any solvent containing acetone or similar solvent.
5. Dip element into light engine oil and squeeze out excess oil. Note: Never shake, swing, or wring the element to remove excess oil or solvent as this may tear the polyurethane material. Instead, "squeeze" the excess from the element.
There is additional verbiage on page 0-6 which essentially summarizes the above procedure. The key here is to not "squeeze" too hard and damage the element. I recall that the original element on my '63 succumbed to a failure of the bond where the two ends of the element are jointed together to form the circular shape. Use mineral spirits (paint thinner) to clean the element and let the mineral spirits thoroughly evaporate by leaving the cleaned element in the sun for a couple of hours. I would recommend very little "squeezing" but set the oiled element in a pan and let it drain for a week; then place the element back on the car with the down side from the pan on top, and wipe any excess oil from the air cleaner base after an hour or two of driving. Is it any wonder that Chevrolet went to a throw-away element. At eighty bucks an hour can you imagine paying for this maintenance, today. A somewhat less messy oiling procedure would be to use K&N aerosol spray oil which they recommend for re-oiling their resuable filters.
DukeComment
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
I just posted a message on the prior thread, but it got nuked into the achives or wherever they go, nowadays. There's still an open question on the A165C element available from GM. Is it the OEM polyurethane or paper? The element I bought for my '63 from GM in 1968 was paper. Though I don't have the number, "165" is old and I now wonder whether GM ever sold the polyurethane element over the counter or just serviced it with a paper element. Did you order your element and screen from GM or is it the repro. I guess someone would have to order the A165C from GM to be sure what it is, but I'd be willing to bet the cost of the part that it is paper.
DukeComment
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
John - If you're looking for a non-stock air filter element that you would use on a daily basis, give K&N Filters a call. I ordered a custom filter element for my '63 Roadster by giving them the dimensions. They cost about $50 but it will be the last filter element you'll ever buy - and save your correct filter element for judged events.Comment
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
If you are driving the car on a regular basis, i would not use the repo foam element. It just won't do a very good job of filtering as a paper element will. If it is a K&N filter, that is a different animal. I use a fram paper element in my 65 when I am driving it that I got from an auto parts house. the foam one is only when the car is NCRS judged. the foam one IMO does not do a very good job of air filtering. KenComment
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
Duke----
It sure won't cost too much to find out for sure; the GM #6484339(A165C)lists for about $10.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Comment
-
Re: 63 Air Cleaner Element
Ken----
GM #6418339 was the original part number for the 63-65 air cleaner element. Now I'm starting to wonder if the GM #6484339 is actually designated by the Delco parts system number A165C, as the parts manual indicates. If the change in the GM "long number" indicates a major change in part configuration, it would be highly unusual for the Delco part number to remain the same. Anyone got a GM #6484339? If not, I might have to order one just to find out.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Comment
Comment