Restoring a 49 Olds 76 convertible. This air cleaner was on my 6 cylinder. It appears that it can not be opened or serviced. Did it always had to tossed and replaced with a new one.

 

It would seem like the owner manual and the Oldsmobile shop manual for 1949 would have instructions as to how the cleaner is to be serviced. Unfortunately I have neither. The Oldsmobile Chassis Parts Book shows two filters for the 1949-1950 6 cylinder engines, a "standard" and an "oil bath". The air cleaners are shown under group 3.402. Under group 3.410 air cleaner filter elements are shown. There are listings for both the standard and the oil bath cleaners for the 1949-1950 6 cylinder engines.

 

Thank you for the quick reply.. I will see what manuals that I have. I do have the 49 series "A" body Service and Construction Fisher Body manual and it that shows nothing about air cleaner.
My original guess it is an oil bath unit. However inside there are a lot of clumps falling out - unsure what they are! It also must have had a top cover? I have several olds manuals so will check them today.

 

My first time posting on this forum so please make allowance if I mess up.

It looks similar to the one used by Chevrolet and I suspect AC used the same design.

There is a round copper mesh filter that sits on top below the air cleaner cover.

If I am correct, you would will need to determine the diameter of the filter and purchase one like it.

In the Chevrolet Master Parts List for 1937-48 it lists GM part number 1528439 (5-1/2" ID X 7" OD X 1-3/8" tall)

Also Fusick shows the copper filter (dry element), 1942-57 Olds, Item Number: 1528698 ( from another website: 6-1/4" ID X 8" OD X 1-1/2" tall)

The big part below the filter is a silencer.

 

You responded better that I could - I am also new and learning.
Thank you -- it verifies my thoughts that there must have been a wire screen and then a top- I must be missing the top cover..
Thank you for your reply

 

It's not strictly original but you can probably find a modern filter of the same dimensions.
I doubt the stock engine would breathe more than 250 cfm so you would need to look at the new filter specs and get one that is rated higher.
A modern filter would/could do a better job of filtering.

As far as the top cover, if you are not going original, get creative. I've seen hubcaps for example. It needs to be fireproof.

 

Thank you for the reply. I will look into using a modern filter - good advice