1952-59 Ford oil bath air cleaner

i just rebuilt my motor and carburetor, a straight six 223 with a 1bl, and i have the original oil bath air cleaner on it right now. i don't know much about this type of air cleaner, how to clean and maintain it etc. and if i should keep on running it or switch to a paper filter. any advice would be great, Thanks

 

I'd keep the stock oil bath air cleaner. Just wash it in the parts washer, fill the lower section with motor oil up to the line and reinstall. Do this every couple thousand miles and you're good to go.

Just don't forget that the oil is uncontained and turn it sideways or upside down...

 

i read online that it should be washed with and soaked in gas?

 

Sure. Gas, kerosene, parts washer fluid...pretty much anything to remove the old oil residue and dirt. Then dry it out or blow it dry and recharge with fresh oil. I'm sure one of the guys has a factory manual which shows how to do it.

 

awesome, thanks for the info

 

I think an oil bath can't really be beat. I work on alot of old ag equipment and see old oil baths come in that have not been touched for 40 years. I can't get over how much dirt they stopped from getting into the engine, and that is in a dusty, dirty, field. They really work well.