A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Nov. 18, 1941 - MB100001 thru Mar. 6, 1942 - MB125809 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Doug L.
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A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by Doug L. » Sat Mar 01, 2014 1:40 pm

Hey everyone, I have an early A.C. Air Filter that I'm cleaning up, painting, ect. I was wanting to know whats the best way to clean the top half of the filter? Can the the filter element be removed from the housing? It's pretty filthy.

I was thinking about boiling it in soapy water. Would that work or damage it? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Doug

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I did have this on the "Willys MB GPW Knowledge Base" but was told to post it here.
March 5, 1942 VEP GPW. body and chassis -3432 Engine -3413


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DavidA
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Re: A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by DavidA » Sat Mar 01, 2014 7:03 pm

I do believe they were "throw-aways" at one point in time but with no replacements, what do you do?? I just took one apart and turned it into a dry filter. I wouldn't have done that but the thing had been run over and was rusting out where it was laying in a heap in a undisclosed place about a year ago.

As far as cleaning one? I would consider submerging it in some solvent or kerosene and let it soak. OR Buy the NOS replacement one Bryan Hoopes had for sale recently if he didn't sell it by now.

I hate to say it but they are not as convenient in the original form. The Mike Stopforth replacement cartridge style is pretty nice. You can only tell its fake if you put your hand in the back of it to find the dry filter or the older metal mesh stuff. :o there is one other way to tell a fake from the original but its sort of a trade secret. :P
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1941 WILLYS MB-104354
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Doug L.
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Re: A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by Doug L. » Sat Mar 01, 2014 7:10 pm

Thanks David! I will attempt soaking it in kerosine. Everything else looks good. No rust out or anything. Kinda messed up not to make it removable.

Doug
March 5, 1942 VEP GPW. body and chassis -3432 Engine -3413

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Re: A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by Robinv » Mon Mar 03, 2014 3:28 am

Yep just soak it till you think its clean enough , i did the same with mine.... I used a bucket with detergent soap and hot water and flushed it many many times
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Doug L.
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Re: A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by Doug L. » Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:52 pm

Good to hear someone who's experienced this! Thanks man. Will kerosine do the same job as hot water and detergent?

Thanks

Doug
March 5, 1942 VEP GPW. body and chassis -3432 Engine -3413

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Re: A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by DavidA » Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:54 pm

I am pretty sure that the hot water and soap would work just fine but remember, water and oil don't mix so I don't know if it would clean as well as another petroleum product but try it first. What do you have to lose?
David Aro - USN SEABEES '66-'70
1941 WILLYS MB-104354
1942 WILLYS MB-131350

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Re: A.C. Air Filter (Pancake) question

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Thu Aug 17, 2017 1:15 pm

Thanks for the thread. I spend a couple of minutes last night trying to figure out how to take mine apart. I would have possibly damaged mine by "Yanking" on it tonight if I hadn't seen this thread. Thanks again.
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1942 GTB 136166 DoD 9-18-42
1942 GTB 135938 DoD
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