1956 Dodge V8 air filter problem

[STuTZ693]

The air cleaner mounting on the 1956 Dodge V8 two barrel carb has a unique clamp that tighens around the carb throat. The flange clamp does not tighten and has broken off of the air cleaner body.

Is there a replacement air cleaner around for this carb?

Thanks in advance.

[Rusty_OToole]

If you mean what I think you mean, this is the standard mounting used on Dodges and other cars for years. There is a sort of hose clamp affair, that has a V shape. The air filter and carb have matching flanges. When you tighten up a bolt, the clamp squeezes the 2 flanges together.

After years of service the clamp no longer squeezes tight. The V gets spread out too much. The solution is to lay the clamp on a hard steel surface and carefully tap it with a hammer to close up the V a little.

There is usually a strut made of flat steel strap that helps support the breather. If this is missing the breather will work loose.

[STuTZ693]

Rusty,

You are correct. That is that is the problem.

The strut is missing which has caused the air cleaner to put too much force on the clamp at the carb.

The clamp has broken off the air cleaner body.

What does the strut look like and where is it attached?

Thank you for the reply.

[Rusty_OToole]

Not sure what you mean by the clamp broken off the air cleaner body. It was never fastened to the air cleaner body in the first place. If you loosen the screw far enough it comes off, normally it stays on the air filter.

The flange on the filter or on the carb may be damaged. The clamp may also be damaged. A good metal man can straighten them out so they fit correctly again.

As far as the strut goes, the ones I have seen are made of a flat strap of steel about 3/4" wide 1/8" thick and a foot long. They have a bolt hole at both ends. The one at the filter end is more of a notch so you can take the filter off by loosening the bolt.

I don't know exactly where they fit on. You would have to find a picture, or put the filter on the car and look around for a handy location for a bolt.

The Old Car Manual Project might have something. They probably used much the same filter from 1953 to 1957 or so, after that they went to a paper filter.

[STuTZ693]

Thanks Rusty.

Since the clamp was seperate from the air cleaner housing I just assumed it had broken off. I will take a good look at it.