I recently "gathered up" a dry element air cleaner for a '57 T-bird and it had an oversize replacement filter installed. The one fitted was a 14.0 diameter and 3.0 height for a Chevy truck or high perf engine. It fits into the base OK but it doesn't fit correctly into the relief in the domed top cover. Is there a part number that will do the trick for a quick paper replacement? The OD of the element seat in the lid is 13-5/8. How tall should it be to stack as original?

I went through the list that K&N has on their site and they show five part numbers - four for Ford products that are 13.25 OD and another for a Buick (also 13.25 OD). Heights are: 1.88, 2.19, 2.50, 2.75 and 2.88. Part numbers are E-1550, E-1560, E-1580, E-1577 (for the Buick), and E-1570 in order of height. 

Were all of the factory '57 covers chrome plated? or were some gloss black?

Restoration guys -what do you do about the goofy "staples" that hold the cork shield? I've seen the "unclosed" staples for sale - do you just stick them through the original holes and clench them over?     

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona