1955 Air Cleaner Options

[Tater Salad]

Im not a fan of the original oil bath air filters.
I understand there's a top cover that can be purchased and used with a dry element.
However, as I stated earlier, I'm not a fan of that look. I would like something that would show off the rarely seen Teapot.
Is anyone using or seen a newer or cooler looking air cleaner for the Holley 4000?

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[Oly Bob R]

Im not a fan of the original oil bath air filters.
I understand there's a top cover that can be purchased and used with a dry element.
However, as I stated earlier, I'm not a fan of that look. I would like something that would show off the rarely seen Teapot.
Is anyone using or seen a newer or cooler looking air cleaner for the Holley 4000?

I agree with you please let us know if you fine something. I’ll do the same

 

[Tater Salad]

I agree with you please let us know if you fine something. I’ll do the same

There's a couple of options that seem to measure the correct distances, but ive yet to see how they look or pull the trigger.

 

[Selfrich]

Can someone post a picture of what the air filter looks like with oil in it?

 

[55blacktie]

In order to "show off" the Teapot carburetor, you won't want to use an air cleaner with a drop base. Unfortunately, if you do not use an air cleaner/w drop base, you will have hood clearance issues if you use anything other than paper gaskets between the carburetor base and intake manifold; in which case, vapor lock could be a problem.

I bought a beautiful, 14-inch cast-aluminum oval air cleaner from Billet Industries. Oval air cleaners aren't available/w drop base. It really shows off the Holley Street Avenger carburetor, but it will not accommodate a carb spacer. If you experiment by trying to use a filter element that's less than 2-inches tall, there might be insufficient space between the lid and carburetor. A shorter element might also restrict air flow. For these reasons, I ended up buying A $29 Summit 14-inch round air cleaner/w drop base and 3-inch tall element. The drop base will allow enough hood clearance to use a 1/2-inch carburetor spacer.

By the way, every modern 4-bbl carburetor I looked at is 3.25" tall, from the carburetor base plate to the air-cleaner mounting surface/air horn. Although I haven't measured the Teapot, I don't think it's shorter (but it could be taller). If it's not convenient for you to measure yours, let me know; I'll measure mine.

 

[Ken Carr]

There's a couple of options that seem to measure the correct distances, but ive yet to see how they look or pull the trigger.

Ok........this was many years ago, so I will try to remember, I also did not like the oil bath filter.......so I removed all the oil, cleaned out everything and purchased a, I think, filter that was a fine mesh type of "foam" cut a strip that was long enough, and wide enough to encircle the inside of the chrome cover, used a small piece of tape to hold it together... very lightly oiled it and then lightly forced it into place. I drove my "55 like this for about 30 years with no problems.......I just re-read the above.....hope it makes more sense to you than it does to me!!!!

 

[55blacktie]

It's possible that the fuel line between the pump and carburetor will have to be modified/replaced, if you install an aftermarket air cleaner, due to clearance issues.

 

[Ward 57]

Ok........this was many years ago, so I will try to remember, I also did not like the oil bath filter.......so I removed all the oil, cleaned out everything and purchased a, I think, filter that was a fine mesh type of "foam" cut a strip that was long enough, and wide enough to encircle the inside of the chrome cover, used a small piece of tape to hold it together... very lightly oiled it and then lightly forced it into place. I drove my "55 like this for about 30 years with no problems.......I just re-read the above.....hope it makes more sense to you than it does to me!!!!

Very innovative. Great idea.

 

[paul5456]

I still use the oil bath. Not really a problem to clean it out once a year. heard that they were more efficient than a paper filter ???

 

[Ward 57]

I still use the oil bath. Not really a problem to clean it out once a year. heard that they were more efficient than a paper filter ???

It's debatable as there are a few threads on here on the subject. If it works why try to fix it?

 

[Oly Bob R]

Has anyone tried a aftermarket air cleaner with a 2 barrel carb