1960 Air cleaner

[Philip P.]

I am refurbishing an original aluminum air cleaner and was wondering how smooth is the top and how "lightly" polished is it. My only reference is some pictures in restoration books most look pretty rough (wavy and not very glossy).
Thanks
Phil

[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

I'll be watching this one too. I have a '59 270 air cleaner that needs refurbished badly. Seems to me that the aluminum sheet that these were stamped from were left as stamped and not polished at all.

Tom

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Based on my research, they were not polished. The finish was associated with the piece of aluminum they started the fabrication process. If they had polished the top, there would most likely be swirl marks like the current repros. The unrestored a/c tops I have seen don't have swirl marks.

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Here is the original and the in process. Getting it flat has been a challenge as the material is pretty thin (flexible), but it is coming along. The holder for the flame arrestor is in the design process as I cannot get the dimensions so I am going to build it from some pictures that I have. Will keep you informed.
Oh I polished with Mothers aluminum metal polish and it was like a mirror so I started over.
Phil

[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

I bought this one at the 2nd ever Bloomington swap meet. All I have done to it is soak it in lacquer thinner for a few days to clean it and remove the silver spray paint it was coated with. Haven't touched the aluminum surface at all with anything other than an old paint brush and a rag. Mine needs some straightening too.

Tom

[Las K.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Here is the original and the in process. Getting it flat has been a challenge as the material is pretty thin (flexible), but it is coming along. The holder for the flame arrestor is in the design process as I cannot get the dimensions so I am going to build it from some pictures that I have. Will keep you informed.
Oh I polished with Mothers aluminum metal polish and it was like a mirror so I started over.
Phil

Phil,

The holder is approx. 8 3/8" diameter and 5/16" high stamped steel.

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Well mine looks still to "polished". It was pitted pretty badly so I started with 220 wet sand paper and then 320 and then a fine (gray) scotch pad.
I am thinking that they were not very flat from the beginning.
Thanks for the picture
Phil

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Las,
Thanks for the information, that really helps I thought that it was about 13 inches in diameter ie it went almost to the inner edge of the air cleaner.
This will help in my attempt. I also thought it to be aluminum but good to know what it is made of.
Thanks again
Phil

[James G.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Your repaired unit looks good to me. They all got dented from mechanics laying tools on them while servicing the vehicles.

[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

That's for sure Jim. Look at mine. It looks like someone left an an aerosol can setting the middle of the air cleaner when they tried to close the hood.

Phil, I agree. Yours really does look nice.

Tom

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Jim and Tom
Thanks for the kind words, there was a thread earlier about repairing dented hubcaps inspired me, as it may be the only original that I may find. I sure know about the tools on the air cleaner I have to make sure I cover mine.. old habits are hard to break.

Phil

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

If it would help you, I can take arrestor measurements from my repro; might get you a little closer than using photos. Let me know.

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Joe
That would be much appreciated. The length of the sides of the cutouts and any bends would be helpful.
Phil

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

I made a tracing of one of the six cutouts so that the angles and dimensions would be very close to the repro. The two corners closest to the outside of the arrestor plate are slightly rounded. Corners closest to the grommet are sharp. Hope this helps. You owe me a piece of jute/goat hair arrestor fabric! <grin>

[Las K.]

Re: 1960 Air cleaner

Las,
Thanks for the information, that really helps I thought that it was about 13 inches in diameter ie it went almost to the inner edge of the air cleaner.
This will help in my attempt. I also thought it to be aluminum but good to know what it is made of.
Thanks again
Phil

Phil,

I have an original so just send me an email and I'll get some close up picture for you this weekend. If you want, we can discuss over the phone.