59 - Oiling the air filter
How often should I drain the air filter of my (base engine) 1959 in oil? It takes a long time to refill the carb each time my car is parked over a couple of weeks (to get the gas pumped into the carb) and I'm suspecting the fuel if vapourizing to quick due to the lack of oil in my air filter (and the fact that modern fuel vaporizes quicker anyway then it us to). Does that make any sense???
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Rob.
NCRS Dutch Chapter Founder & Board Member
NCRS Software Developer
C1, C2 and C3 Registry Developer -
Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
Rob;
You are experiencing the same problem that we all are; basically with vented fuel systems, made worse by the gas available today. If I understand right, your 59 air filter uses the foam ring that needs to be soaked in oil. That too is the type used standard with my L-76 63. I no longer use the foam with oil as I am not going to have it judged any more. The oil is always messy, no matter how well you squeeze it out. I use a K & N filter now that is oiled, but it is just a spray and it can be cleaned routinely. Either way, I don't believe the type of air filter you use will make much difference in the evaporation rate of your gas from the carburetor. I've tried most every thing to reduce it too as my car is in an attached garage. I now use gas that is Ethanol free, and I add TEL, but it still evaporates. If my car sits more than a week, I will prime it to reduce cranking time.
Stu Fox -
Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
OK Rob, so we know it has nothing to do with your filter (often times they use hog hair for the media), so I guess it is the basic vented fuel system that is your (ours too) problem.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
Rob;
I'm not aware of any type Corvette air filter that is effective in containing the evaporation of fuel from the carburetor. We've hashed this subject over quite a bit in the past and no one ever offered any advice or related any experience along that line. I thought about putting a cap over the carb with the air cleaner removed, but the ones available are too big for Carter Carburetors - plenty for Holley's though. I also considered closing off the vent tubes on my AFB's, but considered the consequences might be that more fuel would condense and drip down into the manifold causing flooding and/or cylinder wash down - diluting the oil in the crankcase. Oil recyclers here won't accept drain oil that smells of gas.
If you find a way to improve on the evaporation, do please let us all know. I've done everything that I can think of and have reduced it some by, in general, lowering the carburetor temperature with an insulating base gasket and employing other measures to reduce heat transfer.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
Doesn't the 59 fuel pump have a check valve in it? In my 63, because of the check valve, I have experienced percolation problems. I pretty well dealt with the temperature of the carb itself, but the fuel left in the line from the pump will expand enough to overwhelm the needle/seats as it won't back up to the tank.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
What I should say is the fuel pump ACTS as a check valve. Actually, if it didn't, it wouldn't function too well.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
Regarding the oiling of the foam filter, on my '61 I now just spray it with K & N oil after cleaning it instead of soaking it with motor oil. Now not as much messy oil to deal with.Comment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
For Stuart and Art (and others as well), is there a reason you use an after market filter that is treated with K & N oil as opposed to an after market paper filter? Is there an issue with paper filters? Why not avoid all the oil mess and just go with a brand name disposable paper element filter. Considering their life expectancy of quality paper filters (15k miles under "normal" conditions) and the amount most of us drive our classic Vettes per year, a paper filter would not have to be replaced for a good number of years.EdComment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
Ed;
You're probably right in your assumptions. In my case, I bought the K&N filter many years ago and continue to use it to this day. I also have a fairly new paper filter that, ironically, I use when I have the K&N out for service. That is, I remove it and clean it, then leave it out for a few days to dry thoroughly before I re-oil it and put it back in. During those days when I have it out, I will pop in the paper element. I also have a standard foam element that is clean and oiled ready for show duty, so to speak. I keep it wrapped in a plastic bag when not in use in order to contain the oil (mess).
Having these toys keeps this old man busy and in tune with his Vette. I've always done things like this; such as having two sets of wheels and tires, putting the top up for awhile, or putting the hardtop on. Does that make any sense to you?
Have a great day.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 59 - Oiling the air filter
Ed:
In my case I used the foam filter because I was going for a Top Flight. That was a few years ago and I decided to keep it in but use K & N spray oil rather than motor oil. You are probably right, the paper filter will do a good or even better job than the foam filter. For the few miles (about 400) I put on the car each year, either filter will do the job for me.Comment
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