Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

As you know, my '37 120 originally had an oil bath air cleaner, but since we don't drive that often on dirt roads any more, what would be your recommendation on using a non-oil air cleaner? I have a couple of options, but would like to get further input from those who know.
Thanks.

Keep the oil bath air cleaner. No gain in changing. Recommend fitting a modern pleated paper element If you feel the need to do away with it. However, the oil bath type is superior to others in keeping the intake air clean. I have to admit, I have replaced oil bath types with pleated paper elements. I did this to avoid the unpleasant task of cleaning the oil baths.

Keep the oil bath and change the oil when it is genuinely dirty. I will be surprised if you need to do this more than every three or four years.

Thank. I'll keep my original air cleaner, then. That was one of my options. My research shows to use just about any type of engine oil, i.e. 30W or 10W-50, etc. Do you have any other recommendations?
Thanks, again.

The Packard recommendations that I've seen called for SAE 50 motor oil. I get it at NAPA.

Thanks. There is an O'Reilly's here in town who should also have it. Otherwise, NAPA it is. From what I've read, I fill the reservoir just up to the bottom of the filtration unit. Is that what you understand, also?

Roger, if the unit is an OEM edition, it SHOULD have the oil level marked. Usually an arrow pressed into the metal with the word 'oil' or 'fill to here' marks the level to which it should be filled. Like Dave says (Owen_Dyneto) you will only have to empty, clean and refill the thing once every 2 or 3 years providing you are not on dusty roads all the time. I looked into switching out my unit for a paper element, but it involved dismantling part of the inner guts of it and I decided against it. Chris

Maybe this will help.
Wes

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Thanks, Wes. Yes, that helps tremendously. I see where that article came out of a 1951 Popular Science. Where do you find these things, for in my research, nothing came up on that. Also, I do have a bypass oil filter as mentioned in the article that a friend of mine gave me. I do not have the piping yet nor the instructions to install it. Might that also come from an old Popular Science or is there some type of other document out there that might give me that information. I'm close to getting my car so it can be driven, but for now, very short distances. I need to finish the interior and get the roof opening done.
Again, I do thank you for all of the help you and others have given me.

See this Service Counselor for details on how to install a oil filter.

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This was the only way I could get this to show you.