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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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Effectively cleaning the air cleaner element

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Rob

07-21-2004 07:51:05




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I was washing my air cleaner in paint thinner and ended up with bits of grass and cottonwood cotton up in the steel wool type element. I tried a nylon brush to remove the crap and some came out but I was tearing up the element. From what I could see the element must have been 25%+ blocked and I knew there was more I couldn't see.
I pulled out my paint-stripper hot air gun and hit the element with 400-degrees. It dried out the paint thinner some but nothing else. Switch to 800-degrees and hit that element and smoke started pouring out of the hose bib and the crap in there started smoldering and burning away into gray ash. I keep hitting it with some heat all around the bottom end of the element to keep it going and I could feel the heat moving down into the element. Smoke pouring out of the hose bib all the time. I'd pull the heat off to keep from peeling the paint.
Five or ten minutes of that, the smoke was thinning, and I blew some air in there and that must have fanned the embers. More thick smoke and a few minutes putting in a shot of air every little bit and the smoke was pretty much gone and the side of the air cleaner wasn't so hot. I let it cool down and blew air every which way through the element and the element was looking like new. Completely clean, clear, and shiny. I sloshed paint thinner around in there and poured the thinner through the element a few times. I got out the air hose and started drying the air cleaner and the air was really flowing through the element like it wasn't even there. It's looking great, couldn't look better and seems clear as can be.
I was careful and didn't harm the paint that I can see. Maybe I darken the paint on the center tube some but I can live with that being the only one ever sees it. Having a clean air cleaner is worth it for sure.

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hvw

07-21-2004 12:36:12




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 Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner element in reply to Rob, 07-21-2004 07:51:05  
One of the 8N restorers told me to buy brass brillo pads from the grocery store and stuff them into the housing. It takes at least 10 and maybe 12. I got mine on sale for less than $1.00 apeice.



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Rob

07-21-2004 12:41:18




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 Re: Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner eleme in reply to hvw, 07-21-2004 12:36:12  
The steel mesh was in fine shape and didn't need replacing, it was dirty and needed cleaning is all.



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Jon (IN)

07-21-2004 12:27:49




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 Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner element in reply to Rob, 07-21-2004 07:51:05  
All you have to do is pull the mesh element out of the canister and unroll it (mine was in 2 pieces). Once unrolled, spray it out with a garden hose (don't have to worry about rusting with the oil bath), let it dry in the sun for a few minutes and roll it back up. 5 minute job.



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Rob

07-21-2004 12:34:47




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 Re: Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner eleme in reply to Jon (IN), 07-21-2004 12:27:49  
Well now I'm a dummy. Mine didn't move when I tugged on it. Now it's clean it might move. I'll tug a little more next time.
Thanks.



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Jon (IN)

07-21-2004 12:44:50




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 Re: Re: Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner e in reply to Rob, 07-21-2004 12:34:47  
On my 48 there is a plate with holes in it that you have to pull off first. It just snaps in place. My brother in-laws later model doesn't have this plate. Either way, just be carefull pulling on the old mesh when removing.



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Ron from IL

07-21-2004 11:09:28




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 Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner element in reply to Rob, 07-21-2004 07:51:05  
I haven't personally done it, but it has been said that one of those stainless steel scrubber pads (like very course steel wool) could be used to replace the filter element. Not sure where those are available, though...

Ron



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MikeT

07-21-2004 10:52:57




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 Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner element in reply to Rob, 07-21-2004 07:51:05  
For us newbies, could you describe how the air cleaner is built? Never had mine off yet. Any cross-section diagrams out there anywhere?

Can the element be replaced? Is it oil soaked?



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Rob

07-21-2004 11:51:50




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 Re: Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner eleme in reply to MikeT, 07-21-2004 10:52:57  
The air cleaner is the outside tube, about 5" diameter, with an 1-1/4" tube running the length in the center. That tube brings outside air into the oil bath in the sump. Air bubbles through the oil and exits into a steel mash between the tube walls. Must be stainless steel and it's by far the heaviest gauge steel wool you'll ever see. The mash traps the oil and anything in the oil so only the scrubbed air makes it out. The bottom of the mash is right there at the oil level and the mash drips oil when you remove the sump. Oil bath aircleaners were common even on passenger cars but this mash feature was not so common.
That steel mash must be 8" long and the air exits out the top to the carb. Doesn't seems to be anyway to remove that mash. You can always dig it out and maybe even stuff it back in but that would be some fouled up situation. You're suppose to wash it in gasoline in every ten hours and I'm betting that schedule is never kept. I know I'm not going to wash it in gasoline, certainly not every 10-hours.
Clean, that filter lets a lot of air move into the carb. If you are flooding the carb, liquid gas in the carb, low power at high r's, or black soot out the tailpipe one of the first things to do is clean the air cleaner element. I'm telling ya, that paint stripping hot air gun burns the crud out of the mesh squeeky clean. I was very surprised how well it worked.

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Mike Taylor

07-21-2004 11:05:30




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 Re: Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner eleme in reply to MikeT, 07-21-2004 10:52:57  
I found a pic in the archives but it is very low res. Anyone got a higher resolution pic or diagram of the air cleaner innerds?

Could a pkg of coarse steel wool from Walmart be made to work?



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Dan

07-21-2004 08:07:53




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 Re: Effectively cleaning the air cleaner element in reply to Rob, 07-21-2004 07:51:05  
Great advise, thanks for sharing.

Dan



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