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By Skyliner57 - Last Year
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I have an air cleaner that looks alot like an TB air cleaner. I assume it is oil both, I am not sure how to orient it-note the bottom of the air cleaner has a raised area. See photos. Thanks.
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By 55blacktie - Last Year
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I didn't download your images; however, if the top is stainless or chrome and looks like a flying saucer, it's a 55-57 Tbird dress-up air cleaner; the base is painted Argent. If there is a cage of sorts that contains a steel-wool-like material attached to the lid, it's an oil-bath air cleaner; if not, it uses a paper element (not oil bath). The raised portion on the bottom allows the air cleaner to clear the OEM choke.The 57 dress-up air cleaner uses a paper element, not oil-bath.
I have seen oil-bath air cleaners that have had the filtration element cut off and replaced with a paper element. I've also seen reproduction lids on Tbird parts sites that can be used with a paper element, in place of the OEM oil-bath lid.
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By DANIEL TINDER - Last Year
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It’s an orig. ‘55 or ‘56 T-Bird oil bath AC. The raised bubble in the base faces up (accommodates teapot carb mechanism). Top is chromed.
BTW: I currently have the ‘55/‘56 stainless top repro unit that is designed for a paper filter (modified though for increased airflow, with a larger K&N oiled filter), but when I finally install a modern/larger Holley carb, I may try to modify my original ‘55 oil bath chromed top to mate with a ‘57 repro base (?). If anyone has tried that but found not enough hood clearance, please advise.
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By paul2748 - Last Year
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The raised part in the top is for the automatic choke, which was in the right (passenger) side of the carb.. That was for a 56. The 55 choke was located on the intake in 55, so no raised part.
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By Skyliner57 - Last Year
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Thanks. It is probably a 56, there is steel wool? in a cage under the stainless top. Thanks to all for the response. As stated earlier I have a 312 in a 56 Victoria. However, I am using a Holley 4 BBL. probably not going to be a good fit.
I doubt that I can convert this to a cartridge.
Thanks again to all who responded.. Harold
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By 55blacktie - Last Year
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Although they aren't cheap (what is?), your best bet is to either find a used 57 dress-up air cleaner or buy a new reproduction from one of the Tbird parts suppliers, like Concours, which has frequent 10% off sales, free shipping on most items if you spend $300 +, and no sales tax, unless you live in Nevada. Considering that you're not using a Holley 4000 "Teapot" carburetor, it won't be 100% original anyway, but most people won't know the difference.
I might have overlooked it, but are you going to use a 57-up distributor with that carburetor?
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By miker - Last Year
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I can’t see a picture and I probably wouldn’t cut up an original anyway. It’s worth too much to a restoration guy. But the reproduction 55 on my bird, made for an element, got cut up to clear an Edelbrock, and mounts and looks just like a the stock unit.
If that’s of interest, pm me and post that here so I go check it. I don’t sign in every day.
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By DANIEL TINDER - Last Year
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55blacktie: Are you addressing the OP, or me? (I have a NOS 50s dual point Mallory put aside). If the OP still has the Loadomatic, he may indeed not realize how bad his situation is (?).
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By DANIEL TINDER - Last Year
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miker (1/30/2025)
I can’t see a picture and I probably wouldn’t cut up an original anyway. It’s worth too much to a restoration guy. But the reproduction 55 on my bird, made for an element, got cut up to clear an Edelbrock, and mounts and looks just like a the stock unit. If that’s of interest, pm me and post that here so I go check it. I don’t sign in every day.
miker: It hadn’t occurred to me that the ‘55 repro base could be modified to fit a modern 4-barrel Holley. I just assumed I’d have to buy a ‘57 repro base. No hurry, but please elaborate whenever. BTW: I also assumed it would be simpler to modify the orig. ‘55 OB top, than have my stainless repro top polished & chromed (?). I suppose the orig. parts shouldn’t be altered though, and it’s sale proceeds might well cover repro/mod. expenses (?).
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By miker - Last Year
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I didn’t modify the base so much as removed it. I carefully cut the bottom out, the fitted a 3 screws to hole the polished to to the remains of the original base. The bottom and the filter came out of my pile of old parts. But it looks pretty much stock installed.
Not a very good picture, but all I’ve got and I’m not around the car right now.
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By DANIEL TINDER - Last Year
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Interesting approach. Solves the hood clearance, AND airflow volume issues also. I should likely just keep an eye out for any old AC base to cut up that fits a modern 4 barrel (& my current K&N filter). Sounds like a trip to an auto flea market may lurk in future.
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By Skyliner57 - 2 days ago
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I am going to look at this again. If I were to try an current type filter---does anyone have a good part number? Thanks.
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By KULTULZ - 2 days ago
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What CARB style do you have?
This is a repro of FORD open element ACL's used in the mid-sixties -
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By paul2748 - 2 days ago
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If you want a chrome top air cleaner with a paper filter and you are using it in a sedan, try an aftermarket unit. Lots of choices out there. If you are running a later model Holley, that 56 air cleaner will not fit as far as i know.
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By alanfreeman - 2 days ago
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Paul is correct. The stock air cleaner designed to fit a Teapot carb will not directly fit a "modern" Holley carb. However, with some minor modifications it can be made to fit. Attached is a picture of the 292 in my '54 Ford police car. Under that stock air cleaner is a "modern" Holley carb. I am still using it as an oil bath and I did not attempt to modify it to use a paper filter. Sorry about the pic, I am low tech and I couldn't get it to attach upright. 
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By KULTULZ - 2 days ago
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ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL DETAIL WORK!
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By KULTULZ - 2 days ago
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I wondered (years ago) why when one pumped up a FYB in a FORD PASS why the BIRD ACL was not used.
I guess cost and availability then?
With today's repros, it would make a nice statement (IMO) with aluminum rocker covers.
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By alanfreeman - 2 days ago
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Thanks Kultulz!
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By KULTULZ - 2 days ago
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- OH NO! -
THANK YOU 
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