Section : Oil and Filters

Oil filter adaptor

Posted By : Garth Jupp, 07-Nov-2006, 02:41pm

• Oil filter adaptor

  Posted By : Chris Taylor, 07-Nov-2006, 03:28pm

  I think you will find that both filter and block have a FEMALE thread. There is then a male adapter that allows you to fit one to the other. Quite a few filters have the adaptor rolling around in the bottom of the box, but if not, rescue it from the filter you take off.
  Some of the adaptors have a hexagon towards the middle to enable you to use a spanner, others do not. Those tend to have a knurled bit in the middle to stop you threading it too far into the filter or block. You cannot usually tighten them excessively and it will normally unscrew by hand, or with a pair of pliers or mole wrench , preferably on the portion of the threads that sits in the gap between filter and block.
  Some people fit a piece of pipe into this adaptor reaching up to the top of the filter (inside) to reduce oil draining from the filter with the engine turned off. The anti drain valve in the bottom of the filter will stop oil draining back through the pump, the pipe reduces what can drain out through the bearings.

  • Oil filter adaptor

    Posted By : Garth Jupp, 07-Nov-2006, 04:11pm

    Thanks for that, I am awear of the adaptors and remeber them in the past but I have not seen one in many years, the engine I have has never been run since it's rebuild in 1982 and has no filter fitter. Thats why i wanted to know where I can obtain one.

    • Oil filter adaptor

      Posted By : Dan Owen, 16-Nov-2006, 11:17am

      Chris,
      I've never seen this idea of fitting a piece of pipe to this adaptor, but it's interesting - I can see the logic in it. Do you know of any not - immediately - obvious pitfalls involved, as I'm tempted to have a go at this!

      • Oil filter adaptor

        Posted By : Chris Taylor, 16-Nov-2006, 09:32pm

        If I recall correctly, there is a bypass valve right at the top of the filter, to allow some oil to flow if the filter itself is completely clogged. If too long, the pipe could interfdre with the valve.
        And because not all canisters are the same length, and no doubt the internal construction is different between one make and another, what is clear in one filter might foul the valve in another.
        That said, you should never need to rely on that valve as the filter would need to be in a DIRE state to pass no oil except through the bypass valve. And if you have the nouse to work out how to fit the pipe, you'll have no problem in working out the correct length and checking it if fitting a different make of filter in the future.
        Theoretically the pipe could slip down inside the adaptor and in a totally-bad-luck world impeded flow along the oil gallery. HIGHLY unlikely, and avoided if you solder or braze the pipe into the adaptor, or gently peen the pipe or adaptor to prevent movement in that direction.

        • Oil filter adaptor

          Posted By : Dan Owen, 17-Nov-2006, 10:22am

          Think I'll have a go at that, got a spare adaptor somewhere so I can have it ready to fit at the next service.

          • Oil filter adaptor

            Posted By : Chris Taylor, 18-Nov-2006, 02:57am

            Since typing my previous reply, unless you are going to braze/tack weld/solder the pipe into the adaptor, the simplest way to stop it sliding down and (if you are REALLY unlucky) blocking the main gallery is to peen over the BOTTOM edge of the adaptor where it is screwed into the block (ie the threaded end nearest the main oil gallery). Should not need much of a "dimple" to stop the pipe slipping down, and the pipe needs to be a reasonably tight fit in the adaptor to avoid oil leaking past it and defeating the whole purpose of fitting it!

            • Oil filter adaptor

              Posted By : Dan Owen, 20-Nov-2006, 03:54pm

              Peening the bottom end sounds like a sensible precaution, and I will, although I weas thinking of soldering it anyway. Or a posssible alternative would be to epoxy it but not sure how that would stand the heat! Decisions, decisions...