If I take off the breather top, I have two rings inside it. The larger ring is the ordinary paper air filter. Inside that ring is a smaller ring that is all metal and appears to be all metal. It is not as tall as the paper filter, so it appears that air can go right over top of it. Anyone know its purpose? Doe it ever need to bWhat is the purpose of the e replaced or cleaned?
Thanks!

GM liked to use these for a few years. They have a couple of different functions. One it's a secondary filter to further clean the air, this is the most minor. Two, it helps to control air flow into the carb by straighten out the air flow instead of irregular air patterns. Three, it's a spark arrester, and prevents backfire from damaging anything else in the intake system.

You will never know the difference with or without it.