Re: [FWDLK] Air Cleaner Conversion
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Re: [FWDLK] Air Cleaner Conversion



In a message dated 11/10/02 1:33:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, dhomstad@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

This is what I did to my 56 Dodge 4 barrel air cleaner. It looks totally
stock on the outside. All 55/56 Mopar 4 barrel air cleaners are the same.



Dave,
I read this and want to commend you for the effort you put forth to research the project.  I can't remember how the oil-bath cleaners were put together any more but that doesn't matter now.  A low restriction paper filter with a stock look is neat!

What I DO want to mention is this:
I was working in the Chrysler Engineering Air Cleaner Lab as a test technician during the transition from oil-bath to paper filter elements, and was the one that conducted filter efficiency tests.  We used "Calibrated" dirt supplied by a division of Generous Motors.  It was about the consistency of flour, and had certified percentages of various particle sizes.

Oil-bath cleaners will eat a ton of dirt without appreciable increase in restriction.  The dirt gets trapped by the oil film, then drains back into the sump at shutdown.  As I recall, efficiency averaged about 84-87%.  Paper filters operate at 0ver 98% efficiency new and get slightly better as they get dirty with a corresponding increase in restriction until they get unusable.

The absolute worse air cleaner elements I ever tested were the ones made from a thin layer of oiled foam.  They didn't filter very well to begin with, clogged soon because of the dirt collecting on the surface layer, and if you waited a little too  long to service them, they would suddenly collapse and deliver a large handful of gritty, oily dirt to your engine, usually at wide open throttle.

Joe Savard
Lake Orion, MI



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