A pretty correct looking dry air or wire gauze filter from a 1954 Kaiser Darrin. Not the diagonal wire mesh on the exterior and the two prominent lips on the lid. The rubber piece on the top is unique to the Darrins. The DJ-3A did not use the rubber top piece.

UPDATE: This modification of the Oil Bath system into a dry air system by installing an air filter inside the oil bath canister might interest some readers: http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/ar/t1267.htm

On DJ-3As, the stock air filter is a  “Wire Gauze” or “Dry Air” filter type. The oil bath filter commonly seen on earlier L-134 engines was an upgrade option on the DJ-3As. When I looked to see whether my firewall had the holes necessary to mount the oil bath filter, I found the firewall had not been drilled. So, Rusty must have been equipped with a dry air filter.

As far as we know, Willys Motors only installed the dry air filter on the DJ-3As. This same filter appeared chromed on some 1953 & 1954 Corvettes and some 1954 161 Darrins (perhaps other years, too). It’s likely that if someone has one of these lying around, they probably don’t know what it is. If you happen to have one, I’d be interested in it.

Below is one example of a filter about to be restored with a modern mesh in the middle. Charles explained how the NOS filter material can be reproduced: “A NOS corvette, Darrin, or DJ filter core is rare and expensive. Once in a couple of blue moons they show up on eBay. However, they can be made easily . The inner and outer ring are made of extremely thin expanded metal. Make the inner ring, wrap around some air filter grade copper mesh wrap (eBay) and then wrap the outer ring and secure. Unfortunately, the copper would deteriorate over the years and has been talked about badly. Even though they were called dry air filters they were supposed to be kept oiled.”

According to Bill Brown, there’s a K&N filter that can be used. He couldn’t remember the part number, but the “OD of it is 6 3/8″; the ID is 5 1/4″; and the height is 1 1/2”. This is a filter with an accordion fold all the way around with a molded “rubber” top an bottom. Molded into both the top and bottom are a pair of K & N marks the Identification AO62B4 and the words Oil Type.”

This photo shows some of the parts to build a custom dry air filter. The bottom is original. The mesh left and right should be criss cross in diamond shapes rather than circles. The air filter at the bottom is meant to replace the shredded copper originally between the circular mesh. The felt circle helps seal the top lid to the tops of the mesh. The item on the lower right compresses the felt onto the mesh.

Here are examples of the filter installed. The diameter of the top lid is about 6 3/4 inches:

This rebuilt unit has the incorrect mesh and an aftermarket filter.

This one could be original. I can’t tell what kind of mesh surrounds the shredded interior.

This one could be original.

Dinesh shared pics of his disassembled filter. Note that his lid has a larger concave area for the nut and doesn’t have the diagonal mesh. It is possible over the years that Willys changed mesh.

1. Prior to disassembly:

3. This is the top:

3. Top and screens removed. Inside was original some kind of copper mesh. Circular screens sit inside and outside of the mesh.

4. Here’s the inner screen sitting on the bottom:

5. Just the screens:

CORVETTE DUAL POT DRY FILTERS: Allan correctly pointed out that it was the 1953/54 Corvettes that had a similar air filter. While $$$$$$ expensive, they can be found on eBay. Here are two pics to illustrate his point:

This is missing the mesh and has later air filters installed.

STUDEBAKER & PACKARD PERFORMANCE DRY FILTERS: Continuing my search, I found this performance air filter from Studebaker/Packard. It sold on eBay for $349. I’m unsure of the diameter:

There seems to be a non-copper shredded metal inside. The outside mesh is circular rather than angular.

Text from the eBay Ad: Listed is an NOS VINTAGE ORIGINAL AC Chevy Studebaker Packard Superior Performance Air Cleaner. Part Number 684031. Labeled: AC Spark Plug – Flint Michigan. Item Comes With Original Packaging. Has surface rust in some areas (as pictured.) Sold as is and exactly as seen in the photos.

Fitment For The Following Years: 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 And Should Fit The Following Applications: Carter W1, WE, Rochester B, BC, Rayfield, Tilloston And Many Others. NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OIL BATH AIR CLEANER. THERE IS NO PLACE TO PUT ANY OIL. THIS IS A DRY AIR CLEANER AND SILENCER. NOTE: THE INSIDE DIAMETER IS APPROXIMATELY 2 1/4″

1954 Kaiser Darrin (and other years?): The Kaiser Darrin’s appear to have had the same dry air filter as the DJ-3As. All three below have the diagonal mesh on the exterior. The Kaiser Darrin should also have a rubber piece on top. The hood of the car compressess against the rubber to hold down he air cleaner.  Here are a few photos:

CHEV TRUCKS: Some late 1940s chevy trucks have similar looking lids on larger air cleaners, but they are likely larger than 7″ in diameter.

Ford V8 Truck mid-1930s: Some Ford trucks have a lid close to the Darin/DJ/Corvette lid.