Can you help me determine if the air clearner on my ford 861D is original

[jtmcdon]

My 1958 861D has a different air cleaner set-up than most of the 861s I've seen in photos. On my tractor, there is short exhaust pipe that attaches to the manifold on one end and is joined to second section of pipe by a rubber hose and two clamps. This second section of pipe bolts to the starter flange where there is a 90 degree turn that extends the pipe upwards where it attaches to the top of the left fender. There is an external oil filled canister that is attached to this pipe using two exhaust clamps. There is a third section of pipe approximately 3" long above the canister that has a breather cap on it.

I am trying to understand why Ford would have designed this air cleaner set-up this way. I guess one reason could be because it was the original design for the 861D (i.e. 1957-1958) and Ford changed the design in later year models or perhaps the different set-ups were specific to a particular farming application.

Personally, I think the air cleaners "tucked" under the left fender looks cleaner but I have no desire to change mine. I'm just trying to understand why Ford had several designs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tom
Oxford, GA

 

[Opti-Mist]

That installation would be an after sale modification, not original standard equipment. It could be that the oil bath air cleaner itself is original. Pictures would help.

 

[jtmcdon]

That installation would be an after sale modification, not original standard equipment. It could be that the oil bath air cleaner itself is original. Pictures would help.

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I have seen other photos just like mine. I will post a picture as soon as I learn how to do that.

Thanks again. Tom

 

[jtmcdon]

This 1958 861D recently sold on ebay. It's not my tractor but the air cleaner is virtually identical to mine. (I really look forward to posting pictures of mine when I complete the restoration). The only difference is, on my tractor the pipe on top of the cannister is only about 4" long and my breather cap is smaller and looks more like something that would have been on a ford valve cover. If you look close at this photo you can see where two pieces of pipe are joined on top of the cannister. The first section looks like it's 4" long and the second looks like it's 12" long. Either the second piece of pipe was added to this tractor or it was removed on mine.

 

[RickB]

This 1958 861D recently sold on ebay. It's not my tractor but the air cleaner is virtually identical to mine. (I really look forward to posting pictures of mine when I complete the restoration). The only difference is, on my tractor the pipe on top of the cannister is only about 4" long and my breather cap is smaller and looks more like something that would have been on a ford valve cover. If you look close at this photo you can see where two pieces of pipe are joined on top of the cannister. The first section looks like it's 4" long and the second looks like it's 12" long. Either the second piece of pipe was added to this tractor or it was removed on mine.

View attachment 290888

A similar air cleaner is shown in the parts catalog for Diesel Fords of that vintage. They are bolted to the hood, not the fender. An air cleaner of any style bolted to the left fender (your description, not mine) would be a custom installation.

 

[jtmcdon]

A similar air cleaner is shown in the parts catalog for Diesel Fords of that vintage. They are bolted to the hood, not the fender. An air cleaner of any style bolted to the left fender (your description, not mine) would be a custom installation.

Rick,

When you click on the image to enlarge it you will see two "white brackets" on the exhaust pipe. The lower bracket, which is attached to the starter flange and an upper bracket. In my view the upper bracket is attached to the fender. Although I am calling it a fender, New Holland's parts list refers to as "Panel and Gusset Assembly right or left side upper panel".

If the upper bracket was attached to the hood I couldn't open the hood for fuel etc.

What's your thoughts?

Thanks. Tom

 

[RickB]

Rick,

When you click on the image to enlarge it you will see two "white brackets" on the exhaust pipe. The lower bracket, which is attached to the starter flange and an upper bracket. In my view the upper bracket is attached to the fender. Although I am calling it a fender, New Holland's parts list refers to as "Panel and Gusset Assembly right or left side upper panel".

If the upper bracket was attached to the hood I couldn't open the hood for fuel etc.

What's your thoughts?

Thanks. Tom

A hood protects the engine; a fender protects the operator from a wheel or tire and objects thrown from it. Your statement that your air cleaner is attached to your tractor's fender is both confusing and from the standpoint of conventional wisdom, incorrect. The entire intake system is similar but not identical to the factory diesel air cleaner upgrade. Your tractor's hood consists of a hinged panel and two fixed panels, one on either side. You may, of course, call them whatever you wish.

 

[SoonerLS]

If the upper bracket was attached to the hood I couldn't open the hood for fuel etc.

On tractors (at least on Fords), the hood is the sheetmetal part that covers the engine, not just the access hatch; the intake in your picture is bolted to the hood. The fenders are the metal parts between the driver's seat and the rear wheels.

 

[jtmcdon]

Thanks gentlemen for making it clear. I will make every effort to be more percise in the future before asking for help.

Thanks. Tom

 

[RickB]

Thanks gentlemen for making it clear. I will make every effort to be more percise in the future before asking for help.

Thanks. Tom

You don't need to get your knickers in a knot. The air cleaner is bolted to the hood, not the fender. It really isn't that complex, and we really aren't picking on you.