1956 Cadillac Eldorado - Oil Bath Air Cleaner

[Zwildman1]

I have a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville that is being restored.  The all original 46K mile car owned by my family since 1964 went into a shop for restoration and ultimately the shop went out of business and lost a bunch of my original parts.  I am currently seeking the two oil bath air cleaner pods and any associated mounting hardware.  I have the actual bat wing air cleaner that mounts to the dual quads but I missing the pods and any mounting or assembly hardware.  Does anyone have any leads in regard to where I might locate these pods?  What filter is used to go inside the pod?  I am somewhat lost in how to assemble the final unit since my parts were lost.

I appreciate any insight anyone can provide.  Thank you for your assistance. 

Dan Wild @ zwildman1email addresses not permitted

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

The two "pods" sometimes show up on E-Bay.  As
far as the inserts (filters) for the pods, there were
wire mesh units that fit inside the pods.  However,
they are almost impossible to find as they usually
rusted away from condensation during storage.
I've never seen any for sale.

The problem you may run into is that there will
be complete units (batwing and the two pods) that
most people will only sell as  a set.  The complete
units in good condition average around $1,500.
Most all of these are without the mesh filters. I
don't know of any suitable modern replacements.

Good luck,

Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

In my recollections, there was someone here that made a conversion for these mesh-equipped air cleaners that used modern paper filters, yet still looked original.

Bruce.

[Cadman-iac]

In my recollections, there was someone here that made a conversion for these mesh-equipped air cleaners that used modern paper filters, yet still looked original.

Bruce.

Bruce, 
I've seen those in hotrod supplier's catalogs before.  But it's usually for the side scoop style air cleaner,(stock), like mine. I'd like to get one myself as I don't want oil sloshing out all over my clean engine. Been there,  done that. My old GMC V6 had an oil bath filter.  When I first installed the new engine,  I thought it would be nice to have the original one on it. After a month,  I changed my mind and the air filter.
If I find it I'll post it here.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Hi Bruce:

Yes, there is a "fix" for the standard (single quad) filter
element.  It can be replaced with a unit from Wix (I
don't remember the number) but the filter unit needed
for the dual quad unit as far as I know doesn't exist.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has successfully
substituted a modern paper filter in a '55-'56 dual quad
unit.

Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

From what i can recall, the guts was cut out/trimmed, and a cylindrical mounting was inserted for the paper one to rest on.

Using smaller 6 cylinder filters would work, or even cutting down a larger one, like that used in the Ford 351 engines.

I modified the air cleaner in my '72 to fit the Ford one as I substantially modified my original housing to sit on top of me Predator Carby, so it cleared the hood.

Anything is possible, but removing the oil-filled gauze will probably create more intake air noise as these old filters really made the intake quiet.

Bruce.

[Zwildman1]

Thank you for your feedback.  I found this complete set on line for $1300.  Not sure why he painted it black.  It looks to be complete.  Any thoughts on this?

[Cadman-iac]

Anything is possible, but removing the oil-filled gauze will probably create more intake air noise as these old filters really made the intake quiet.

Bruce.

That's because the air had to change direction about 4 times.

[Zwildman1]

I think this is the same unit before it was painted black.  Looks to be complete.

[Cadman-iac]

Thank you for your feedback.  I found this complete set on line for $1300.  Not sure why he painted it black.  It looks to be complete.  Any thoughts on this?

It looks nice. Does he have pictures of it apart?

[Cadman-iac]

I don't know why,  I  thought the gold one was yours.

[35-709]

There have been at least a couple of guys here that have converted their oil bath Batwing air cleaners to modern paper filters and the process has been described here.  A search using the SEARCH function might turn up something or one of the guys who did it may read this thread and chime in.