What is the difference between a "Full Flow" engine and a "Partial Flow" engine? Thanks.
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In generic terms....
A full flow engine passes all of the oil from the oil pump through the oil filter before the oil goes to the cam bearings, main bearings, and rod bearings.
A partial flow engine filters some of the oil. The oil goes from the oil pump directly to the oil galleries (unfiltered)
An add on oil filter is supplied from an available oil port, filtered, and then drained back into the crankcase.
Since only a portion of the oil is filtered, hence the name.HTIH (Hope The Info Helps)
Jeff
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain
Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)
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Thanks for the reply. I was just curious about the difference between, spin on filters, cartridge filters, no filters, plus some of the V8s I have seen(my parts cars) have a spin on filter but still have the oil fill tube in the front center part of the engine. Others have oil fill openings in the valve covers. Have seen both 62 and 63 289s and 259s with both configurations.
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All very qood questions that deserve and answer.
About the spin on filters.
A full flow oil filter almost always has an internal bypass valve (different than an anti-drainback valve).
An internal bypass valve will open (and bypass the filter element) if:
(a) there is a spike in oil pressure (cold startup)
(b) the filter element is clogged/blocked.
This is to prevent oil starvation to the cam bearings, main bearings, and rod bearings (that is the order that the oil circuit supplies oil).
Also protects the filter element from blowing apart and passing media into the engine.
Some engines have the bypass valve mounted in the filter adapter (like Studebaker).
Engine mounted cartridge filters (Say, a Chevy SBC cannister filter) have the bypass valve built into the cannister adapter.
Same reason. To protect the bearings and prevent cannister media collapse and contamination.
Remember, a filter is something that is added to the engine, whether added as part of the design, or added as a supplement.
The filters job is to collect contamination and hold it for removal at a convenient time.
It is not to clean the oil. The oil will get contaminated by liquids that pass through the media,
and the chemicals that protect engine compnents will get consumed over time...so your oil WILL degrade over time.
The idea is to time the oil degradation and filter change timing so it can be done at a convenient time without putting engine components at risk.
When in doubt as to timing? Change the oil.
Remember the old ad "Think month's, not just miles?"... That is true.
Not changing your oil because you don't drive your vehicle a lot can be destructive.
Moisture, acid buildup, sludge, grime, and cooties can all hurt your engine.
Clean oil is a good thing.
Originally posted by DanvilleStude View PostThanks for the reply. I was just curious about the difference between, spin on filters, cartridge filters, no filters, plus some of the V8s I have seen(my parts cars) have a spin on filter but still have the oil fill tube in the front center part of the engine. Others have oil fill openings in the valve covers. Have seen both 62 and 63 289s and 259s with both configurations.Last edited by DEEPNHOCK; 02-20-2016, 08:20 AM.HTIH (Hope The Info Helps)
Jeff
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain
Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)
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One thing to remember, The breather cap was put on there as a breather cap.
Using the breather cap (if there is more than one) as a fill point is just convenience.
An R4 had a bunch of breather caps, but they weren't put there to pour oil into ALL of them...
Originally posted by DanvilleStude View PostThanks for the reply. I was just curious about the difference between, spin on filters, cartridge filters, no filters, plus some of the V8s I have seen(my parts cars) have a spin on filter but still have the oil fill tube in the front center part of the engine. Others have oil fill openings in the valve covers. Have seen both 62 and 63 289s and 259s with both configurations.HTIH (Hope The Info Helps)
Jeff
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain
Note: SDC# 070190 (and earlier...)
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Breather caps allow the crankcase to 'breathe' and as the engine breathes, it will also ingest dirt from the air. Another reason to change the oil. You'll notice that regardless of where the breather cap/ oil fill cap is on the engine, it has a filtering media in it. The cap should be washed at oil change time, generally in kerosene, blown dry, and oiled lightly before reinstalling.
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