Oil-Bath Air Filter Conversion? - Land Rovers Only

LowTech · 04-26-2006, 10:32 AM

Has anybody attempted/succeeded at converting their OEM oil-bath filter into a more modern style air box? This weekend I'm going to tear mine apart and give it a shot. I'm wondeing if it would be as simple as inserting a cylindrical air filter element of the apropriate size into the container (after a thorough cleaning) -- and maybe adding some addition inlet holes. What do you think?

Also, what are my air filter options if I'm willing to step away from the stock look?

Thanks for your help.

Matt.

Funrover · 04-26-2006, 10:34 AM

I did it on a 62 dodge I had..... I am sure there is not a big difference!

TerryS · 04-26-2006, 10:42 AM

It may be low tech, Low Tech, but NOTHING filters better than your oil bath. All these conversions to webbers, leaving the empty air cleaner mount sitting there looks hokey. The freakin wire screen on the webber won't even keep out small children, and then people wonder why their rings are shot a few years later (But they briefly had more ((?)) power) Sometimes, you simply can't improve on the old ideas.

TerryS · 04-26-2006, 10:49 AM

Not that I am suggesting you do so, but IF you do remove the oil bath cleaner, take the battery frame/ air filter mount off, don't cut it apart, but save it for the next guy that wants an original setup. Now you have the space for two batteries.

Rat Patrol · 04-26-2006, 03:17 PM

I made that same mod on my 73 F250...make sure you use a good QUALITY air filter. I would suggest a K&N.

Muddy Oval · 04-27-2006, 07:30 AM

K&N and Quality in the same sentence? That engine is too expensive to replace to abuse it with the poor filtration of K&N.

pickuprover · 04-27-2006, 02:54 PM

mmmmm let me think.... remove a filter that never needs replacing (just cleaning and $1 worth of oil), with a paper filter that costs $12 and needs to be replaced regularily and does not filter as well.... I guess my question would be why?

Rat Patrol · 04-27-2006, 03:13 PM

Why not run a K&N? you just need to remember to clean it.

TerryS · 04-27-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickuprover

mmmmm let me think.... remove a filter that never needs replacing (just cleaning and $1 worth of oil), with a paper filter that costs $12 and needs to be replaced regularily and does not filter as well.... I guess my question would be why?

Why, because you get a nifty sticker to put on the side of your truck, and call it a Mod.
And $12? If you're gonna pitch snake oil, you gotta have the price to go with it. They start at over $50, and then another $13 for a 'service kit' (detergent and oil, geez, Ole PT Barnum was right)
A K&N filter, dry, isn't a filter at all. If a OEM filter is 50 Micron, then a K&N is twice that. The only thing that makes it a filter is when you coat it with oil, pollen, dirt, dust, tumble weeds, get stuck to the oil and only clean air passes, right? Yup, and that clean air gets less and less since it can't get past the increasingly thickening layer of dust, pollen and tumble weeds (oh yeah, and small children). If you plotted the airflow and time on a graph, it would start off way up the y axis, and head straight down, on a 45 degree angle to the x axis. But it's a good idea (that has too many shortcomings) Cuz it uses an oil as the trapping agent. Wonder where that idea came from? Oh, yeah, I know, an Oil Bath Air Filter.

pickuprover · 04-27-2006, 04:49 PM

Terry... do I hear a hint of sarcasm..... i have never seen the price of a K&N, wow how often do you have to clean it and replace it... for $50 i hope that it lasts a while, and $13 to service it..... mmmm really starting to like my oil bath....

TerryS · 04-27-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickuprover

Terry... do I hear a hint of sarcasm..... i have never seen the price of a K&N, wow how often do you have to clean it and replace it... for $50 i hope that it lasts a while, and $13 to service it..... mmmm really starting to like my oil bath....

Gee, do ya think?

They should last awhile, if handled well. Depending on the time of year, Once a week wouldn't be too often.
Change oil in Oil Bath, once a year, but only if you run out of other things to fix.

-MOSES- · 04-27-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickuprover

Terry... do I hear a hint of sarcasm..... i have never seen the price of a K&N, wow how often do you have to clean it and replace it... for $50 i hope that it lasts a while, and $13 to service it..... mmmm really starting to like my oil bath....

A K&N will last as long as you own your vehicle if you clean and oil it ! You can buy a K&N in any style for any aplication. Better airflow with less trash and my Disco likes it ! I have an oil bath on my 55 and I'm not aking off though !

TerryS · 04-27-2006, 06:01 PM

I have no doubt that they will last a long time, but the sad truth is that, even though they filter well, they progressively allow less and less air through. Everyone who puts one on seems to report great improvements, not surprising, since they probably just took off a dirty paper filter. The improvement they detect is not unlike taking a dirty filter out, and then going for a drive with no filter, because that's about the same improvement in airflow to the engine, but because a K&N traps, AND RETAINS dirt on their surface, as ooposed to a coventional air filter that shed a large portion of particles each time the engine is shutdown. These trapped particles continue to build up and dramaticly restrict the air flow as time goes on. I've rad several independant reports, but also seen this after only a few days of driving in the northwoods of Maine, whose logging roads are legendary for the finest dust that gets everywhere.
I run a conventional paper filter, but my engine breaths from over 6' off the ground, through a cyclone seperator atop my snorkel. The cyclone seperator really works well, and the vortex of dust is actually visable, coming out the top of the cyclone seperator. If you recall, this thread got started by a guy who wanted opinions on changing out an oil bath air filter. I stand by what I said, in that I wouldn't change one for a converntional filter, but most certainly not a K&N.

Rat Patrol · 04-27-2006, 06:59 PM

OK then to be fair to the orignal topic. Spring in the desert SW is unqiue to the rest of the Union. For example today the winds are blowing a steady 35-40 MPH, with gust to 50mph. The mountian range 5 miles away was covered by a brown out (dust storm) Now tell me why I live down here....

I pulled the wife's car into the gargae and just cleaned the K&N filter (last time was in October). The standard check is to hold it to the light and look at the amount of visible light transmission...correct? I could still see about 60% light. It took me 15 minutes to recharge the filter.

Now I ask, is it worth changing the oil bath for a K&N...IMHO not unless you can enclose the K&N in a filter box...as mentioned before, I have the K&N set-up on my 73 F250, its in the Pac. NW (hunting truck)...no real difference between filter and bath in performance.

Will I change the factory set-up on my Landy...not unless I can do it the way Rover would want it...clean and professional.

LowTech · 04-28-2006, 10:24 AM

Thanks for the spirited debate. It's nice to know I can get good/quick information here when I need it.

Anyhow, I took it all apart last night and cleaned the filter and changed the oil. If it's that easy/cheep to do then I'm just going to keep the OEM system -- that is unless I get apreciably better performance/fuel economy with a more modern filter element.

Question: What's the down side for the oil bath? There's gotta be one -- otherwise they'd still be using the technology on modern cars -- right?

Upside for a newer-style air filter?

04-26-2006, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
LowTech 1973 Series III 88 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester Hills, MI Posts: 30 Gallery: 0	Oil-Bath Air Filter Conversion? Has anybody attempted/succeeded at converting their OEM oil-bath filter into a more modern style air box? This weekend I'm going to tear mine apart and give it a shot. I'm wondeing if it would be as simple as inserting a cylindrical air filter element of the apropriate size into the container (after a thorough cleaning) -- and maybe adding some addition inlet holes. What do you think? Also, what are my air filter options if I'm willing to step away from the stock look? Thanks for your help. Matt.

04-27-2006, 07:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Muddy Oval Otherwise known as STEVE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,968 Gallery: 0	K&N and Quality in the same sentence? That engine is too expensive to replace to abuse it with the poor filtration of K&N. __________________ 2002 Freelander 2000 DII w/CDL 1967 SIIA 109SW Former Rovers 2004 Modded "S" Disco, R.I.P. 2004 G4 Disco 2002 Modded Freelander 1995 Modded Disco 1994 D-90 #8 1993 NAS D110 1990 Range Rover County 1973 SIII 88 1972 Range Rover 2 door

04-27-2006, 02:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
pickuprover Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,344 Gallery: 0	mmmmm let me think.... remove a filter that never needs replacing (just cleaning and $1 worth of oil), with a paper filter that costs $12 and needs to be replaced regularily and does not filter as well.... I guess my question would be why? __________________ Andrew Barr. 1972 Series III 109. "the Tin Turtle" "However, that was his ploy and I caved....totally caved... LOL!" Jellijo

04-27-2006, 04:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
pickuprover Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,344 Gallery: 0	Terry... do I hear a hint of sarcasm..... i have never seen the price of a K&N, wow how often do you have to clean it and replace it... for $50 i hope that it lasts a while, and $13 to service it..... mmmm really starting to like my oil bath.... __________________ Andrew Barr. 1972 Series III 109. "the Tin Turtle" "However, that was his ploy and I caved....totally caved... LOL!" Jellijo

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04-26-2006, 10:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
TerryS Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bloomfield, CT If I died today, I lived there all my life. Posts: 2,032 Gallery: 0	It may be low tech, Low Tech, but NOTHING filters better than your oil bath. All these conversions to webbers, leaving the empty air cleaner mount sitting there looks hokey. The freakin wire screen on the webber won't even keep out small children, and then people wonder why their rings are shot a few years later (But they briefly had more ((?)) power) Sometimes, you simply can't improve on the old ideas.

04-26-2006, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
TerryS Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bloomfield, CT If I died today, I lived there all my life. Posts: 2,032 Gallery: 0	Not that I am suggesting you do so, but IF you do remove the oil bath cleaner, take the battery frame/ air filter mount off, don't cut it apart, but save it for the next guy that wants an original setup. Now you have the space for two batteries.

04-26-2006, 03:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rat Patrol Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: GREAT NW Posts: 69 Gallery: 0	I made that same mod on my 73 F250...make sure you use a good QUALITY air filter. I would suggest a K&N.

04-27-2006, 03:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rat Patrol Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: GREAT NW Posts: 69 Gallery: 0	Why not run a K&N? you just need to remember to clean it.

04-27-2006, 06:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
TerryS Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bloomfield, CT If I died today, I lived there all my life. Posts: 2,032 Gallery: 0	I have no doubt that they will last a long time, but the sad truth is that, even though they filter well, they progressively allow less and less air through. Everyone who puts one on seems to report great improvements, not surprising, since they probably just took off a dirty paper filter. The improvement they detect is not unlike taking a dirty filter out, and then going for a drive with no filter, because that's about the same improvement in airflow to the engine, but because a K&N traps, AND RETAINS dirt on their surface, as ooposed to a coventional air filter that shed a large portion of particles each time the engine is shutdown. These trapped particles continue to build up and dramaticly restrict the air flow as time goes on. I've rad several independant reports, but also seen this after only a few days of driving in the northwoods of Maine, whose logging roads are legendary for the finest dust that gets everywhere. I run a conventional paper filter, but my engine breaths from over 6' off the ground, through a cyclone seperator atop my snorkel. The cyclone seperator really works well, and the vortex of dust is actually visable, coming out the top of the cyclone seperator. If you recall, this thread got started by a guy who wanted opinions on changing out an oil bath air filter. I stand by what I said, in that I wouldn't change one for a converntional filter, but most certainly not a K&N.

04-27-2006, 06:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rat Patrol Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: GREAT NW Posts: 69 Gallery: 0	OK then to be fair to the orignal topic. Spring in the desert SW is unqiue to the rest of the Union. For example today the winds are blowing a steady 35-40 MPH, with gust to 50mph. The mountian range 5 miles away was covered by a brown out (dust storm) Now tell me why I live down here.... I pulled the wife's car into the gargae and just cleaned the K&N filter (last time was in October). The standard check is to hold it to the light and look at the amount of visible light transmission...correct? I could still see about 60% light. It took me 15 minutes to recharge the filter. Now I ask, is it worth changing the oil bath for a K&N...IMHO not unless you can enclose the K&N in a filter box...as mentioned before, I have the K&N set-up on my 73 F250, its in the Pac. NW (hunting truck)...no real difference between filter and bath in performance. Will I change the factory set-up on my Landy...not unless I can do it the way Rover would want it...clean and professional.

04-28-2006, 10:24 AM	#15 (permalink)
LowTech 1973 Series III 88 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester Hills, MI Posts: 30 Gallery: 0	Thanks for the spirited debate. It's nice to know I can get good/quick information here when I need it. Anyhow, I took it all apart last night and cleaned the filter and changed the oil. If it's that easy/cheep to do then I'm just going to keep the OEM system -- that is unless I get apreciably better performance/fuel economy with a more modern filter element. Question: What's the down side for the oil bath? There's gotta be one -- otherwise they'd still be using the technology on modern cars -- right? Upside for a newer-style air filter?

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