oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

[Colin B.]

may be a dumb question, but should I oil the foam in the stock '63 327/340 air cleaner?

[Harry S.]

Re: oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

Colin, if your having it judged the answer is yes. Use a little oil. after judging wash it out with soap and water and use a paper filter.

I assume your using a re-pro that is original in features like the one I pictured.

[Stuart F.]

Re: oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

Back in the day when all I had to use with my new 63 was the foam element, I used to clean it and reoil it on a regular routine maintenance basis. No matter how much or how little oil I put back into the element, squeezed it out, it would continue to cause a mess in the air cleaner housing and on the intake manifold. I still have several foam elements, but only use for show. Otherwise, I use a K & N or paper element for driving.

Stu Fox

[Ken A.]

Re: oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

may be a dumb question, but should I oil the foam in the stock '63 327/340 air cleaner?

Yes, but use 5-10 weight oil and squeeze out excess and you will have no problems. I believe the K & N oil is too heavy for foam and their filters offer no improvement over stock.

[John D.]

Re: oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

Back in the day when all I had to use with my new 63 was the foam element, I used to clean it and reoil it on a regular routine maintenance basis. No matter how much or how little oil I put back into the element, squeezed it out, it would continue to cause a mess in the air cleaner housing and on the intake manifold. I still have several foam elements, but only use for show. Otherwise, I use a K & N or paper element for driving.

Stu Fox

K&N is designed to be oiled Stu. Use the good old paper one instead. JD

[Stuart F.]

Re: oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

Yes, I am aware the K & N filter is oiled as well, but it is a spray on oil and not a 5 or 10 wt. (liquid) oil. I have one in my driver as well. There are those on the board who strongly disagree with their use due to their poor filtration properties, but I have not seen any evidence to confirm this. I have seen articles about tests which claim both some improvement or no improvement in efficiency - so who do you believe. The main drawback I see is their price which may not be worth the potential improvement. Not many 63's (340 hp) will be found with them because few vendors have a part number for them. So far I have only found them at Corvette Central.

As to the foam elements again; yes, I know what oil to use and how to squeeze out the excess, but mine always continued to ooze more out and mess up the intake valley and the base of the air cleaner, including some at the carburetor throat.

To each his own devices.

Stu Fox

[Bob H.]

Re: oil the foam air cleaner for a '63 327/340?

Wix Air Filter is a good choice 42100 is the number.

I still have the Fram CA117 as well