When I picked up this 41 Olds the seller assured me all the engine bay component parts are all factory. However, the Air Cleaner looks very unusual and I could not find a similar one looking on photos on the internet. While I was recently searching for a pre-war car I saw a 1940 Buick that had what the seller called a "head bolted heater" which had some similarities to what my Olds has but I have no clue if that is the case. My car has the customary rounded cleaner attached with a bracket to the engine block on the L side and the additional cylindrical shape body that crosses over the engine head is attached to the carb on the R side. The photos are self explanatory I believe. I am interested in keeping all stock. May be this is some unusual original factory option? Please provide some insight. Thank you. Manuel


Air Cleaner L side of engine

Air cleaner R side of engine

 

It's original, alright. That potato chip-looking can between the carburetor mounting and the air cleaner itself was common practice, back then, and technically a good idea

 

I'm not up on my 40 era cars but that looks like a single air cleaner off a twin carbed 53 Hudson Hornet, could be wrong on this but it doesn't look Oldsmobile to me....Tedd

 

While there are no illustrations for them, the Oldsmobile chassis parts book shows two air cleaners for the 1941-1948 6 cylinder engines; "standard" and "oil bath".

 

Thank you for the tip! You are right, it is a Hudson part. I searched for a Hudson air cleaner on e-bay and found this one currently for sale which looks identical to the one on my Olds. Evidently mine is not an Olds part. If any one is interested on the Hudson part this is the eBay item number: 333860679011

Hudson air cleaner - 8 cyl

 

This is not for a Hudson 8 cyl but a 308 inline 6, so if someone needs one for a Hudson V8 this won't work.....Tedd

 

If the hood will clear, here's an original:

 

My 1941 Oldsmobile parts book shows four air cleaners available for 1941 Oldsmobiles ;




It all depended on model and whether it had a silencer ..

I pulled up several images of 41 Olds engines and some show this type air cleaner .
I would say it is an original optional air cleaner .
The reason somebody guessed Hudson , was because United Motors (a GM division) sold air cleaners to Hudson and others .

 

Ein wunderbar Motor ! That air cleaner will fit under my hood perfectly well. Are the crankshaft pulley and the water pump outlet suppose to be green also (or black)?

 

Oh, this is even better news. Thank you for checking your book. I am still waiting for my Parts book which clearly is essential to know all these intricate details. Very happy to learn that this is a factory option and don't have to search for one. I believe my car is a "J" (whatever that means, still don't know) so the option number 3 in the parts list will apply, the one with the silencer. And it only costs $ 4.25 !!!

 

 

[QUOTE=Doctor's Olds;1312693] I believe my car is a "J" (whatever that means, still don't know) [QUOTE]]

 

Yes , but that is $75.35 in today's money .

 

Sorry, only just saw this thread so looks like a lot has been cover already but that air cleaner most definitely is the optional Heavy Duty air cleaner that was offered in '41. My brother has one on his '41 98 Phaeton.