51 Champion Oil filter location

[cbonner757]

Is it unusual to have my oil filter and their hoses on the passenger side of the engine? I had a hard time getting oil
hoses, since one is quite long, from the filter all the way to the back of the engine block, almost
next to the automatic transmission bellhousing. In my discussions with S/I, they showed it being located on the driver's side.
S/I was patient and a great help in getting a hose long enough, thought my setup could not use
the part numbers listed in the manual because of the odd location.

Regards,
Clarence

[Bud]

It sounds like someone in the past has installed an aftermarket generic oil filter kit on your engine. The Champion engines that I've serviced have had the oil filter on the front left of the engine block just behind the generator if the filter is factory or dealer installed. Bud

[cbonner757]

Thanks, Bud. It looks like the others I've seen, canister type, but on the opposite side of the engine. Made it easier to get after those freeze plugs, though, which I'm slogging through this weekend. I hope you have a good Memorial Day.

Regards,
Clarence

[Bud]

Good luck with your freeze plug project. Fortunately replacing them on a six isn't as bad as replacing them on a V8. I'm planning on draining, flushing and replacing the hoses in the cooling system on my 62 Hawk this morning. This not a project that I'm looking forward to, but it needs to be done. If your oil filter has flex hoses attached, think about replacing them as I've seen them fail which makes a big mess, not to mention the potential for serious engine damage. Bud

[Lothar]

Cbonner
I know from experience that its REALLY hard to put in a new rear freeze plug on a 1950 Champion six with the motor in the car, but it CAN be done. I was able to borrow a driver/bar from a mechanic friend that had a pivoting head with interchangeable pads in the diameters of common plugs. Even then it was very tricky to line up.
Buy the BRASS freeze plugs from SI, and buy about six if you intend to replace all three freeze plugs. You will ruin some.

Good luck

[cbonner757]

Thanks, Bud, I got it as clean as I can, and begin buttoning up the cooling system tomorrow evening. I have all new oil hoses, and will install those when I change the oil upon test-running the cooling system. I don't think I have to pull the head bolt to put the new hose on the oil pressure gage, but I'll have to see how it comes apart around that hose bracket.

Thanks, Lothar, I'll check with a mechanic buddy about a driver. I'd used a short socket extension and socket to drive them into a 62 Fairlane way back when, which worked okay. I did get the brass plugs from S/I. The StudebakerInfo.org page says to put red Locktite around the edges of the new plugs, but I'm not sure I want to do that? Either nothing on them, or at most blue RTV?

Regards,
Clarence