Air Cleaner

[RogG]

I just bought an air cleaner via the internet from someone who advertised it as a '65. When it arrived I checked William Wonder's Restoration Guide and discovered the air cleaner was for a '64. In the Guide however the diagrams showing the decal placement were inconsistent with the accompanying photos. I then checked the Official Ford Shop Manual and the picture of the air cleaner for a '65 looked exactly like the one I bought. I am confused to say the least.
The air cleaner I bought is rounded along the top edge and has a top cover which is smaller than the body and does not overlap the body of the air cleaner. Can someone tell me what year I bought and what a '65 air cleaner is supposed to look like. Though I'll never make the Bird I bought into a concours level car I do want it to be fundamentally correct as to the parts and pieces (particularly one so obvious as the air cleaner). Any help would be much appreciated.

[Joe Vandatta]

stick with the shop manual if it's for a 65

[RogG]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the advice. When I stripped the paint off the air cleaner tonight I found gold paint under the black that someone had applied later. The gold was the color used in 64 I think and a color called Rustic Bronze Metallic was supposedly used in 65. I guess the best thing to do would be to repaint this one black again and call it good since I've got more serious things to look after anyway. Thanks again.

[Joe Vandatta]

Rog, The 64 & 65 used a gold color--a special mix-- you can get it at The Bird Nest in Port. Or.
Also, I'm sure you have the right air cleaner.

[RogG]

I just bought an air cleaner element that was supposed to be for a 65 and guess what? It does not fit inside the opening in the air cleaner that I had purchased which was supposed to be a 65. I guess the air cleaner actually is a 64 after all, so now I'll have to find the right one. I know the person who sold it to me took it off a 65 but it must have been a substitute by the previous owner. Kind of an expensive lesson but live and learn, as they say.
Anyone want to swap a 64 air cleaner for a 65? Ha!

[Dutch]

Do you have a picture of the air cleaner? Maybe you have the wrong filter? Post a pic if you can, that would help.

If no picture available, what's the dimension of the filter you bought?

[Captain Mike]

It's not uncommon for the aircleaner to have been repainted the wrong color over the years. Both 64 & 65 air cleaners were originally gold. Like yours, mine had been repainted black before I returned it to the correct gold color.