Thread: Short Oil Filter Application

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I'm sure Mike is right on about the nipple for clearence. We did a 5.0 G.T. motor into a 67 sunbeam a few years back and no matter what we tried a remote filter was the only way and we had a hell of a time getting nuff clearence on the adapter and hoses because of the headers.Also had a hell of a time finding nuff room under the bonnet to mount the filter.Butttttt that baby sure would scoot.I sure wouldn't wanted to drive it on a rainy day.

Well, today has been a learning experience. I could not get any definitive answer on the short nipple need, but it can only be a clearance issue. What I did get was an education on that super shorty filter, and why it is considered to be undesirable, especially on a healthy stroker motor. The Sunbeam Tiger crowd has some very knowledgable guys, and I communicated with three of them today, the last being an aeronautical engineer who restores Tigers. Bottom line, that little filter creates a situation where anytime the engine calls for more oil capacity it is simply not there, so the filter gets bypassed and I'm circulating unfiltered oil. The answer is a remote filter unit using a full size filter. Product Engineering makes a really nice engine adapter unit, and I'm looking for a comparable billet aluminum remote mount for a filter. Summit has a bunch, but most are cast aluminum which is not so desirable. Once I've selected components I'll be looking for the right mounting location....

Originally Posted by rspears

Bottom line, that little filter creates a situation where anytime the engine calls for more oil capacity it is simply not there, so the filter gets bypassed and I'm circulating unfiltered oil. The answer is a remote filter unit using a full size filter. Product Engineering makes a really nice engine adapter unit, and I'm looking for a comparable billet aluminum remote mount for a filter. Summit has a bunch, but most are cast aluminum which is not so desirable. Once I've selected components I'll be looking for the right mounting location....

OK, I'll bite..

1. Are you really turning high rpm's or more just about town driving?
2. What about that adapter that turns the filter mount 90's and use a full size filter?

Not questioning your motives, just curious.

I don't know if that guys theory holds any water (or oil ) in the real world, Roger. How much extra capacity can there be in that extra couple of inches? You figure, when you prefill a filter when changing it the thing only holds such a small amount and most of that is absorbed into the filter media. If there is an extra 4 oz in a longer one vs a short one, I would think that would not be enough storage capacity to even contribute anything.

When I swapped the 5.0 Ford into my old Jeep pickup I had to use that Volvo filter as the steering box was right there. I abused that thing regularly and towed trailers long distances at times with no oiling problems ever.

Don

Originally Posted by 34_40

OK, I'll bite..

1. Are you really turning high rpm's or more just about town driving?
2. What about that adapter that turns the filter mount 90's and use a full size filter?

Not questioning your motives, just curious.

Mike,
While most of my driving is easy cruising I live out in the country and it is still a big rush to hit the skinny pedal and let it pull through the gears. I'll probably grow out of it some day, but not too soon
Like Dave says, the 90degree adapter might clear, but it puts a full size filter right into the motor mount. Some of the vans had a 90 degree skinny filter unit, but I don't like that approach much.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I don't know if that guys theory holds any water (or oil ) in the real world, Roger. How much extra capacity can there be in that extra couple of inches? You figure, when you prefill a filter when changing it the thing only holds such a small amount and most of that is absorbed into the filter media. If there is an extra 4 oz in a longer one vs a short one, I would think that would not be enough storage capacity to even contribute anything.

When I swapped the 5.0 Ford into my old Jeep pickup I had to use that Volvo filter as the steering box was right there. I abused that thing regularly and towed trailers long distances at times with no oiling problems ever.

Don

Don,
I think the issue is that the larger filter has about four times the filter surface area of the super shorty, so if you push it to high rpm the oil volume increases and all of that oil is forced through the filter media. With the full size it handles the duty, but with only 1/4 (or less) the surface the super shorty creates high differential, and the pump bypasses the filter.

Another thing that is a bit bothersome is that one guy shared that because of the severe piston to rod angles created by the extended stroke of the 347 they tend to be relatively short life engines compared to the stock 302 or even the 331. His thought was "Why take the chance of any oiling problems when you're already trying to cheat the clock on internal wear?" I haven't sorted that one out yet, but I have a hard time arguing with the filter differential/bypass situation.

Just so we're all thinking of the same things, this "super short" filter is pretty small. Here's pictures of the three different WIX filters, all which fit the standard Ford 3/4x16 filter nipple.
Here's the full sizeWIX 51515.png
And the mid-size/shortyWIX 51085.png
And the super shortyWIX 51335.png The super shorty measures just 2" on the straight side.

Originally Posted by rspears

Mike,
While most of my driving is easy cruising I live out in the country and it is still a big rush to hit the skinny pedal and let it pull through the gears. I'll probably grow out of it some day, but not too soon
Like Dave says, the 90degree adapter might clear, but it puts a full size filter right into the motor mount. Some of the vans had a 90 degree skinny filter unit, but I don't like that approach much.

Just so we're all thinking of the same things, this "super short" filter is pretty small.

Like I said earlier Roger, not to question your motives, I've always read your replies, comments & thoughts and had the feeling your a well spoken, intelligent and thoughtful individual! I feel you know your stuff and like you I still want to slap down the skinny pedal on the right and hold it there as long as possible!

If I was using that "super" shorty filter, I'd probably go remote too! I'd also take the opportunity to add in a oil cooler while I was at it! Why you ask? I don't know.. WHY NOT?? it's a hot rod!

Originally Posted by 34_40

Like I said earlier Roger, not to question your motives, I've always read your replies, comments & thoughts and had the feeling your a well spoken, intelligent and thoughtful individual! I feel you know your stuff and like you I still want to slap down the skinny pedal on the right and hold it there as long as possible!

If I was using that "super" shorty filter, I'd probably go remote too! I'd also take the opportunity to add in a oil cooler while I was at it! Why you ask? I don't know.. WHY NOT?? it's a hot rod!

Mike,
Thanks for the very kind words. As opposed to "well spoken" I've sometimes been accused of using 50 words where 10 would do...
Yep, I think a remote oil filter setup is in my future, and now you've put another thought in my head with the oil cooler Like you say, "Why Not??", other than finding a good space.