Re: Adventures with a 1955 Clipper

Posted by JWL On 2011/10/7 11:51:24

Hello All,

Thanks for the compliments and suggestions on how to fix the surging problem. The Onyx single color is uncommon and works well on the car. The photos do not do it justice as the bright work really sparkles against the black body color. I may need to install an electric fuel pump if problems persist, but for now I'll try and do without.

Good news, the surging problem has been fixed.

I did not think the surging was ignition related as I had just been through this system trying to find out why the car was hard to start, keep running, and backfiring. The Clipper acted to me like it was starving for fuel at the higher speeds. During the engine compartment rejuvenation, I installed a new ceramic element in the Carter fuel filter. I thought that maybe the new element had become clogged or was malfunctioning. To check this I removed the element. I bench tested the element by blowing through it. It seemed to be unclogged. I then took the car for a test drive. Removing the fuel filter element did not fix the problem.

During the previous problem I had also checked out the fuel pump, it had good pressure (4 - 5 lbs) and good flow, at least at cranking speed. I was about ready to remove and inspect the fuel pump and fuel lines when I had an idea. What if the after market air filter I installed was too small and choking the engine (running out of air, not fuel)? This would be easy to check. I removed the pleated paper filter element and component parts and reassembled the air filter housing without them. I took the car for another test drive. Problem solved. The car would rev freely and without any stumbling or surging.

Next thing to do was try and fit a larger filter element. I found one at the air filter stock at Autozone that was the same diameter as the first one, but taller for a 75% increase (3.5 in. high v 2.0 in. high) in filtering area. I fitted this new larger filter element to the lower half of the stock filter housing. I did not use the aftermarket lower plate on the new element as I had done with the smaller one; just let the bottom of the element seal against the conical shape of the lower housing. This gave me added space to use the taller filter element. The air filter was assembled as it had been with the older smaller element. Then there was another test drive to confirm the fix. Fix confirmed.

I was surprised that this was the cause of the surging problem as these modern type elements have a very low air flow restriction, and I would have thought size would not be that critical. The filter housing snorkel protrudes into the housing by about four inches. I do not know if this affected the effectiveness of the smaller filter element. I also wonder how the car drove with the original oil bath air cleaner element. I had never driven the car any distance or at higher speeds with this one fitted. It was dirty and needed servicing when I received the car. I have no idea how badly restricted the kapok stuffed part was with accumulation of dirt. By the way, the Clipper is starting easily and now running, as it should.

Attached are a series of photos showing the new and old filter elements and the assembly process. This is probably more than you ever wanted to know about converting an oil bath type air cleaner to accept a modern pleated paper element.

Another strange problem solved. I enjoy solving mysteries (many of them being self-imposed).

Take care,

(o[]o)

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