1964 Ford F100 question

I own a 1964 Ford F100 3.7L 223 long bed.  On top of my carburater is a black container that holds a wire wheel that I am thinking is an air filter.  Inside this container is a line to be filled up to with oil.  I have seen modern air filters for my truck by K&N but they look like an up to date air filter.  Im wondering, do I just take this wire wheel out, clean the container of the oil, drop the new filter in and screw the lid on, or is there a conversion piece for this part.  Any help would rule  

I don’t know why no one answers these posts unless they too are trying to learn about old trucks. You have what is called an oil bath air cleaner. The wire screen on top keeps small animals out and backfires in.
These filters have been in service probably since air filters began and are actually very clever. I think the reason the industry went to a paper element was for ease of service and no doubt better filtration.
The way these filters work is very simple. They take advantage of the dirt and debris mass or weight to catch it in the oil. If you follow the path of air flow, it comes in the top through the screen. The air drops to the bottom and then turns to go back up through the center of the filter and into the carburetor. The dirt riding along in this air can’t make the u-turn at the bottom to go back up to the carburetor. Instead it goes straight into the oil and sits there until the air filter is serviced.
Whatever you do, DO NOT use a K&N filter. Any air filter you can see through, more dirt can get through too. K&N flows more air this is true and important if you need over 1200 cubic feet per minute of air flow. Your engine can’t use 550 cfm. If you want a more modern look there should be an air filter from a later model year that has a paper element. You would also need to find the housing for it.
In my humble opinion, if you are going to drive on weekends let’s say less than 5000 miles per year I would keep the oil bath filter. If you don’t live where high wind is usually present to blow dust and dirt into the air you would be fine. Otherwise my first guess would be to go to about 1968 and see what is available, just a guess though. You could probably find out what paper element is needed just by looking for your engine in an application guide by Fram or some other company in your local chain type parts store, Autozone etc.
To service this filter it’s really pretty easy. Carefully take the filter off of the engine without tipping it too much. It probably has a clamp on the base of the filter that needs to be loosened a bunch. If the filter were to lie over, the oil would end up all over the place. The screen part is re-useable and needs to get washed out in a suitable parts cleaner. Today at home mineral spirits work well. Another choice is spray can Contact/Brake cleaner. The body of the filter with the oil in it needs to be drained. Then you could probably just wipe it clean with a few shop paper towels. Next re-fill the oil tub at the bottom up to the full line that you have seen. 30 weight was usually used probably because you could find it anywhere back then but I would not sweat it on the oil weight, although a heavier weight is better. Put the screen back in place when dry and replace on the engine. It’s that easy, just a little messy. You can see why the paper element has replaced the oil bath – serviceability.
The old filters look great with a little paint and are a true representation of what it was like back in 1964. I’ll bet LMC Truck.com may even have a service information sticker to dress it up after the paint job. Just be ready, their catalog is full of must haves’.
As always Good Luck