I started to restore the air cleaner and noticed the crankcase breather foam filter is missing (I believe that is the name of this thing). I searched the web and cannot find even a picture of what I have. Do I have the correct item on the car or is this something the previous owner installed? The items that appear proper for my car are longer and are either white or black in color. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

If all you are missing is the foam part I am pretty sure this is it:
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/FIL2998

 

Yep, that was my next thing to look into. Just purchase a cheap similar item and use the foam from it.

I am still curious if what I have is correct for the car

Thanks

 

What is in the picture is correct. VIN 9 307 with the dual snorkel air cleaner did not use the foam. The "breather" is supposed to be exactly what you have. GM p/n 8996988. Held on with a horse-shoe shaped spring retainer. The 3/4" hose from the A.I.R. pump EAS would go to this to direct air to the air cleaner when the smog system didn't require it, such as decel and other modes.

Here's one on ebay for $15 plus shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115864249921

 

Much appreciated. Solves the mystery for me. I will get some foam from another style breather.

 

Why? You don't need any foam there. What on earth would you need it for?

 

I believe he overlooked that part of your post.

And believes its supposed to be setup similarly to this below...

 

I know. Point is, that port is for the A.I.R. pump to dump the extra air when it's not needed. Hence, the filter isn't required either. You could put it on if you like, but the foam piece isn't needed at all.

 

I know it's not super critical, but I figured while refurbishing the air cleaner housing, I might as well try to give it the original look. Thanks for all the help.

 

That means you're going to run the original fitting without the foam junk, right? Otherwise, it won't be original. The foam is used when the vent comes unabated from the valve cover to the air cleaner on certain models that uses the breather connection to vent the crankcase and doesn't have a filter breather on the the valve cover. Note, the breather on the Olds V8 is on the valve cover, so it's rubber elbow going into the driver side of the air cleaner doesn't need any filter, either.

 

I'm with you 100% 69HO43. And I personally would avoid superseding Oldsmobile's opinion on anything stock 1964-1988 rwd and Toro till 1985. Particularly when striving for factory correct.