Early 1957 E-Code Filters-Oval Housing

[tnswt12]

What air filters are you guys running in your early 57 E-code fitted with the oval air filter housing? I am having a tough time finding filters that fit. Two Fram CA 130PL came fitted in the air filter oval housing, but they are extremely dirty and need replacing. Fram does not make these filters any longer, nor a substitute. Name and model number of the filters you use would be great information.

[goldwinghg]

Have you tried to cross reference your filter part number,to other manufactors part number. Google your part number to see what comes up.

[Oldmics]

A filter from a Ford Lynx will do the job.

Its one oblong unit I"ll get a part # today and post it up later.

Oldmics

[tnswt12]

I've been searching online for a while and even contacted Fram but I have not lucked up on anything. Even the TBird part houses do not offer this filter.

Since the inside footprint of the oval air filter housing calls for 2 individual round filters measuring 5 9/16 ID x 7 1/16 OD and 2 1/8 inches high, Ford part number B78 9601 F (measurements and part number from 1957 Ford Text Parts Book), I suspect an oval filter will allow unfiltered air to the carburetors.

The 1956 TBird dry filter sold by the TBird part houses come close enough to the ID and OD, but at 2.5 inches high that puts the air filter housing too close to the hood when closed. I thought of chopping this filter down to 2 1/8 inches with my chop saw but I value my hands and fingers too much.

I wonder why the TBird part house do not carry this item? Anyway, any help from anyone would be most appreciative.

[Oldmics]

I checked for a part # on the oval filter and could not find one to offer.

I do remember it was for a Mercury Lynx.

I understand your concern for any unfiltered air to get to the carbs and have included a coupla pics on how the oval element fits into the air filter housing.

Since the air only enters from the bottom of the housing there should be no unfiltered air path to either carb. The airflow has to go thru the element
before reaching the carbs.

Unfortunatly its the best option I could come up with.

[Oldmics]

[Oldmics]

[goldwinghg]

Check to see if K&N makes one.

[tnswt12]

I appreciate all your comments and picture taking. It has been a big help. I'm not certain a disposable filter is in the cards or not. I plan to contact K&N to see how much reusable filters will set me back. Perhaps I can justify the expense that way :)

BTW, does anyone have any information to help me with my master cylinder top that is leaking? I made that post earlier.

[Paul T. Amick]

Hi, Try Hill's Thunderbird Center Part # 9601-R Round or 9601-C oval. tbirdcenter@sprintmail.com Good luck

[Snow-T-Bird]

Maybe one of these 3 K&N filters could do the trick:

E-3402 : 5.5 ID x 7 OD x 2 H
E-4660 : 5.5 ID x 7 OD x 2 H
E-4665 : 5.5 ID x 7 OD x 2.25 H

[tnswt12]

Thanks so much for the filter information. Snow-T-Bird you obviously know how to manipulate the K&N website that I failed so miserably at. I searched by dimension I know at least twice and received no results.

Paul T. Amick I called Hills and they had the 9601s which I purchased but they are 2.5 inches high and they pushed the wing nuts dangerously close to the underside of the hood so I would not use them.

Tomorrow I will measure the air filter housing base and see how close the K&N filters that Snow-T-Bird located will fit. At 5.5 inches inside diameter I have to see if the 1/4 inch (5 9/16 in - 5.5 in) diameter is in play or not.

Appreciate it!

[CSavaglio]

Check out Wix's website. You can filter by size and shape. I was able to find one that fit in place of the oil bath mesh on my 48 Buick. They make hundreds of sizes. I would imagine one will be close

[CSavaglio]

http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/FilterBySize.aspx

[Oldmics]

Pair of Fram CA 130 PL filters currently on eBay.

Not cheap

Oldmics