Hello ,
I have been running my car for the last 5 years with the original Bat wing air cleaner using the oil system . About 6 weeks ago i was looking into the filter itself and was wondering about the horsehair element inside the pod . They suggest you use Kerosene to clean the element . You can try to clean it but you can not replace it without destroying the pod . After 60 years you might think it should be changed . Who knows the condition of that element inside that assembly that can not be opened without destroying it ? That is when i decided to convert to a paper air filter . I did not want to destroy the pods i had . I was able to pick up a set on ebay at a good price . So i converted them . I chucked up the pods on a lathe and was able to cut away the bottom half exposing the element . I trimed the pod to a length that would give me a good two inches of filter element. The inside Diameter of the pod itself is about 6.980 inside diameter . I used a wix filter # 42297 that is 7.000 inches on the outside that provided a good snug fit . I backed it up with a 1 inch thick aluminum ring for the filter to seat on and make the upper seal . When assembled the Bottom of the filter rest on the inside of the oil pan . I do not know for sure but i think my carbs were starving for air using those 60 year old filter . Only time will tell . However i think it is better for the engine to breath a little easier . I still have the original filters , Somehow i just could not destroy them . I have added a few pictures .
Bill
G'day Bill,
Very nicely done.
Bruce. >:D
It's not easy to turn the pods like you did because you cannot apply too much force to the jaws...It seems that you got them without incident. Nice work!
Hello Roger ,
Thanks for the the compliment . The trick is to use soft jaws machined to the same diameter of the out dimension of the housing and machine a groove in the jaws to locate and lock the lip of the pod in place . i have added a few pictures that might explain it better .
Bill
Interesting trick! Without it, I doubt it's possible to machine such sheet metal parts.
Roger ,
Without the groove to retain the part . It would fly out of the chuck . You would be better off using a hack saw .
Bill
Ah ha. I thought there was something totally different with the chuck jaws. I looked hard at them in the first pictures, and couldn't figure out who would make such wide jaws.
Never heard of "Soft Jaws" but fabricating a set of jaws with the additional width to securely hold the piece is a masterstroke.
Bruce. >:D
Hello Bruce ,
You take the standard hard jaws out of the chuck and replace them with free machining steel jaws . That gives you the option to custom turn the jaws to meet your requirements . It is like having a custom chuck . after years of turning in a job shop environment you acquire a large variety of jaws for the chuck . The standard Hardened jaws are very rarely used .
Bill
I was very hesitant to do this , but a 60 year old horse hair filter has to reach the end of its life cycle at some point . I was really afraid of it deteriorating and ending up in my Carburetors . Pros and cons on this subject ? Does any one else ever question the elements life ? . i do believe the oil bath system is a good system when working within its life cycle .
Bill