Ted The air cleaner that you modified is actually a 55 and not a 56.The 55 has a horizontal bar in the air inlet like yours and the 56 has either a vertical bar or is open without a bar.Also the 55 has a concave section on the bottom for heater control valve and the 56 is straight across.The 56 also has a concave section just above the choke housing for clearance which the 55 didn't need.Great instruction though and I think I will do my 56 now.Do you think that there is a increase in air flow with the dry filter verses the oil bath?
 Carl

While I don’t have any experience in converting a 1955 oil bath air cleaner so it’s a dry paper design, I have done that modification to a 1956 four barrel air cleaner.  The ’56 air cleaner I worked with had rust holes at the bottom of the oil reservoir so it was a good candidate for this.  I basically cut the series of baffles from the lid and then installed two Wix #42061 air cleaner elements stacked within the housing which clamped down with the original lid.  I did cut some ¾” holes in the bottom of the housing for additional air flow to the paper elements.  Runs and looks good.  Here are some pics.
  
  
  

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

There is a problem with you plan to convert to a paper filter. It's not an improvement, oil bath air cleaners are the best designed air filter ever made for  a vehicle they are 98% efferent where a paper filter is only about 80% efferent. That is why oil baths filter are used on large trucks and in off road racing.  
 

Are you talking about the 55 two barrel one?  Real pain in the butt to do The 56 type is easier ..





"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

  Stock Air Cleaner Canister/Housing question - I have a 1955 Ford Crown Victoria and want to modify the stock oil bath canister to accommodate a modern day dry air filter in the canister.  
   1. Here are some of my concerns. 
a. Getting enough air flow across the dry filter.  Should I drill holes up through the bottom of the canister to get the air flow?

b.  Well I have enough space to use this stock canister and still close my hood?  I have a 1957 intake and a 390ci Holley carb. on the engine now.  I am afraid to put the stock air filter housing/canister on the carb now and try to close the hood.  Thinking that the hood and canister will hit and I will damage my hood.

NOTE - I  am sure that somebody has mod-ed a stock air canister to accommodate a modern day dry air filter.  If you have please give me a heads up on what you did.  If possible send pictures.

Thanks,

Ray