Oil bath air filter

[Bob Carriere]

Harry is right........ the one with the decal is a larger size that would accommodate the Fram AC 146....... the middle one is what I have on my C15a and is the smaller bowl..... also the same on other 40 and 42 civilian chev trucks..... the left one recently sand blasted is the HD with the factory modified deeper bowl..... shown in a 1947 Chev truck manual..... no part number. The top lid of the larger air cleaner and the HD cleaner are probably interchangeable at 9 inches......

Hollander's interchange book does not list air cleaners.

????????

[Paul Singleton]

I know that General Motors used identification numbers on parts, particularly on interior plastic parts. These were not part numbers, but usually were close to the actual part number. I remember ordering a glove box door that was plastic and calling the dealer and saying that I have the number. The number moulded into the plastic I was told was an identification number for a subcontractor to GM, and not a part number. When I received the part the number on the door was the same format but not the same as the part number. Maybe this is where this air filter number came from.

[Lynn Eades]

Grant, just because it looks Chev is it a Chev filter?
AC stuff was made for all sorts of vehicle makes
I have not looked into this at all, but maybe it's an AC number?
Just suggesting...........

[Grant Bowker]

Agreed that it could be an AC number rather than Chevrolet. However, both are 7 digit numbers and as of 1927 (according to Wiki) "AC became a division of General Motors" so I wouldn't expect them to be issuing numbers in the same range without some type of co-ordination 10 years later. I might also have a United Motors (another component of General Motors) parts catalog around that could give a hint.
Trying to be more generic, I had searched air cleaner 1544945 without luck.... So more digging to be done.

[Bob Carriere]

For those of us with tiny little air filters it appears that CA2675 paper filter should fit........ only 2.75 inches tall and may need some elevator shoes in the form of soft foam padding to raise the lid enough for proper airflow.

Seems to be the next best thing as per the Chat room at Fram. Will have one to try out tomorrow and to post photos. Price $17 at Benson and $19 at CTC but they have to be ordered.....listed as low demand.

Another one is CA79 ...but only 2.55 inches tall.....but could stack up two for 5 inches.......


Another glitch I have encountered is that the smallish air filter (8 inches something) once properly filled with oil will also spray oil at high speed and possibly due to increased airflow from the 6 bladed fan I am using......... some GM air filters for the early 50s did have a sheet metal strip added to the leading front edge of the bowl that effectively reduced airflow into the air filter assembly.

I am planning to add some hi temp insulation to the inside of the engine cover and it would be nice to keep it reasonably clean. Passenger side is only 3/4 inch from the exhaust manifold and does get dangerously hot in the Summer time.

Cheers

Stay tuned.