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Technical What is "Holy Grail" Air Cleaner for circa 1939 - Frank Burrell manifold / Carter WDO ?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by John Mereness, Jan 23, 2017.

  1. John Mereness
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 17

    John Mereness

    Update 2018: prototype Frank Burrell dual carb intake manifold with Carter WDO carbs
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Mar 9, 2018
  2. John Mereness
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 17

    John Mereness

    Yes, it is a V-8 Flathead Cadillac/LaSalle
     
  3. Deuced Up!
    Joined: Feb 8, 2008
    Posts: 4,206

    Deuced Up!
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  4. John Mereness
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 17

    John Mereness

    It did not have any sort of support for a "Traditional" generator mounted (or any other place for mounting) a Cadillac/LaSalle style oil bath air cleaner set up (ie no bracket(s) to support for the oil bath unit).
     

  5. John Mereness
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 17

    John Mereness

    Car was built in Pasadena, CA - so they had access to the LA beginnings of "Hot Rods"
     
  6. That is really cool - not many Cad/LaSalle engines in hotrods . . . during any period of time. If you get into the engine and need to ponder anything performance related, drop me a line - have spent WAY too much time in the bowels of one of these suckers! LOL

    EngineBlowerDriveMockup3.JPG

    560 copy2.jpg
     
    czuch, UNSHINED 2, Jet96 and 4 others like this.
  7. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,380

    Paul
    Editor

    crazy stuff there
    way over the top
    I would be happy with just a simple 2x2 intake :)
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  8. John Mereness
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 17

    John Mereness

     
  9. Flat Roy
    Joined: Nov 23, 2007
    Posts: 533

    Flat Roy
    Member

    engine1.jpg engine2.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. Hey Flat Roy - nicely done! I know we've talked about your engine before - nice to see it! I know some of the 'Traditional Folks' might grumble, but this is probably the only blown flathead I've seen with a late model blower, power-steering and air . . . you obviously spent a TON of time on this engine - my hats off to yah.

    What blower manifold is on it - one that you made?
     
  11. Back to Air Cleaners: You might consider using two 1932 Ford Air cleaners - even if you have to modify the bottoms of them -- they would be 'period correct' and have a certain amount of style to them. They have a beautiful design and would also chrome up really nice.

    They are expensive items - so if $$$ are an issue, probably not! LOL

    Here is one on the 59AB engine that came in my 32 Cabriolet:

    2014-10-23 16.52.51 copy.jpg
     
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  12. It is a bit nuts to invest the amount of work and $$$ we have in this thing, but it's sole purpose is for land speed racing at Bonneville - we've gone 185 mph with it so far and made 650 HP on alky . . . so that old beast has proven it's strength and capabilities. There is only one other guy that we know of who has set records with a Cad/LaSalle at BVille - and he is our good friend 'Gary' - who runs a T roadster (different class).
     
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  13. mr.chevrolet
    Joined: Jul 19, 2006
    Posts: 8,860

    mr.chevrolet
    Member

    these are what you want. CIMG6498.JPG
     
  14. That supercharged mill looks like a lot of good times- but I'm not sure that orange Fram is what I'd consider the "holy grail" of circa 1939 air cleaners


    Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  15. adam401
    Joined: Dec 27, 2007
    Posts: 2,856

    adam401
    Member

    Dumb question but what are they from? I love those!
     
  16. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    Optional dry element air cleaners for the 47-54 Chevy pickup trucks.
     
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  17. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    [​IMG]

    If you search for Frank Burrell air cleaner this picture comes up on the Custom Car Chronicle. Assuming you had a real prototype intake, you probably had this matching air cleaner, possibly made by Burrell himself. Wouldn't be impossible to recreate using some factory pieces.
     
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  18. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    So maybe these were actually produced? If they were, it seems natural that the pricey built 1939 custom car would have the matching air cleaner to the intake.



    [​IMG]
     
  19. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,564

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    These kind of look like cut down 37 ish ford filters. But on our coupe below we used 35 era ford filters but the bases had to be offset on a regular manifold.
    image.jpeg image.jpeg
     
  20. John Mereness
    Joined: Oct 23, 2016
    Posts: 17

    John Mereness

    Cool picture - have not seen before ! I suspect it had a different style air cleaner though- first, there was no brackets for mounting this style of oil bath air cleaner (nothing on the heads, nothing on the generator bracket, and/or .....Second, width could pose clearance issues "car has a "chop" though the cowl and sits lower than a standard Cadillac/LaSalle. Third, whatever air cleaners they were they were something 'neat" enough that someone five finger discounted them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2017
  21. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    Will give new live in this discussion, because my running project, a 34` Ford Truck with 42` Cadillac Flathead and 3 speed stick shift Lassalle gear box.
    I am in progress to change the intake and carburetors and not sure which air cleaner give the best performance.
    The engine was equipped with a Burrell dual carb intake and carter WDO`s
    upload_2018-10-7_13-37-58.png

    upload_2018-10-7_13-34-37.png

    Here you see the very nice air cleaner I take on the WDO´s.
    The air cleaner opening shows backwards, because there is not enough space for the hood it they shows forward.

    upload_2018-10-7_13-46-46.png

    After a test run there was a little engine over heating from dirty canals in cylinder heat. Was strange, because the engine has a complete overhaul…, I think there was rest dirt from engine cleaning in small holes. However, I take the heads off and now I will flush the complete engine.
    I also take the carburetors from intake to check all gaskets and make a rebuilt.
    During the order for rebuilt kits, I found a Edmunds dual carb intake for 48` Caddy Flatheads on eBay. The seller give this to me for a very good price and I take it.

    upload_2018-10-7_14-20-0.png
    upload_2018-10-7_14-20-43.png

    I love these Edmunds intakes and have also a very rare on my Chrysler straight 8 ;):).

    upload_2018-10-7_14-2-56.png

    After a lot of search and reading in this forum, my brain begin to work little more with all this input.
    I learn in the forum that most driver in the 50` take the Carter WCD 595s carbs for a dual carb option.
    I compare the WDO´s and the WCD´s and learn also, the have different holes for throttle.
    WDO´s ca. 33mm and WCD´s ca. 36mm!!
    The WCD´s are much bigger inside and outside, have more reservoir.
    Now I will build a new setup with Edmunds intake and Carter WCD 595s.
    I have found 2 carbs for rebuild and also the rebuild kits.
    The WCD are also ca. 1" higher than the WDO´s, what means with my air cleaner I have not the space to hood.
    I need other ones, but what is the best solution for the WCD 595 and what is flat enough??
    In the HAMB, I found also this:

    upload_2018-10-7_14-24-29.png

    I would be glad to become any expert opinion from yours about air cleaner, carbs and so...
    Dirk
     
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  22. NorthManCad
    Joined: Sep 9, 2018
    Posts: 70

    NorthManCad
    Member

    Nobody with a nice idea??;)
     
  23. Jacobrpest
    Joined: Dec 30, 2018
    Posts: 4

    Jacobrpest

    Is there anyone out there selling dual carb intakes for flathead cadillac motors? I've tried contacting the flat caddy.com site and I get not response. Anyone know why?
     
  24. Cyclone Kevin
    Joined: Apr 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,223

    Cyclone Kevin
    Alliance Vendor

    24E55F2C-3126-4299-8D43-BC9BF3362CE6.jpeg 704CFF4E-E427-47C5-BEE7-2A40C2FE50F8.jpeg In answer to the question above, these are Burrell Intakes. They’re available through Frank’s son Barry Burrell. These are on our 47 Flathead Cad.Here’s the info: 0BD5FBFB-F33D-434E-9245-D0028B855D14.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2019
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  25. Jacobrpest
    Joined: Dec 30, 2018
    Posts: 4

    Jacobrpest

    That's a screenshot from flatcaddy.com if I'm not mistaken. I've sent messages to the webmaster of this page via the "contact" tab to no avail. I'll try getting a hold of Barry via that [email protected] email account and let you know if it works. Thanks
     
  26. Cyclone Kevin
    Joined: Apr 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,223

    Cyclone Kevin
    Alliance Vendor

    That’s the last info that I have of Barry’s. Most have gotten through to him via this info. Last that I knew they’re still available. ;). BTW, P.M’d you.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
  27. dan griffin
    Joined: Dec 25, 2009
    Posts: 505

    dan griffin
    Member

    This add is for Frank Burrell's flat Cad speed equipment. Frank was a engineer at Cadillac so all of the parts looked like factory made. Also they were made after WW-2. I never thought to ask Frank but I suspect the duel carb setup was originally designed for the Cadillac powered tanks.
     
  28. CadMad
    Joined: Oct 20, 2012
    Posts: 876

    CadMad
    Member

    First response to John’s question shows the Aircleaner that I made to go on my 39 Cadillac.
    You can’t fit the style shown in the booklet under the hood.
    Barry Burrell is a Facebook mate. I’ll contact him to see what the deal is.
     
  29. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,053

    Beanscoot
    Member

    Jeez, get those ugly UPC stickers off the air cleaners!
    (And they look like they won't flow worth beans!)

    [​IMG]
     
    czuch likes this.
  30. peter hehir, from petes speed shop is casting a few things and can be seen on Instagram and Facebook. the one shown below is actually adjustable with carburetor hole on a sliding plate.

    this is the only picture i could find without logging into either....

    upload_2019-1-14_7-14-58.jpeg
     
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