Engine: Oil filter install on 185?

[K Russell]

From my Hudson days I have an old Fram oil filter unit, complete with mounting clamp, like I've seen on a few Studebakers and other old cars. It's the one that takes the C-4 cartridges. The bracket that mounted it on the Hudson engines will never work on my 185 engine in my Flight Hawk, it's way too large to fit on the left side even with some sort of adapter to my existing clamp. Does someone make such a kit, including the necessary hoses and fittings? Has anyone done this and do you have pictures showing how to mount the unit and run the lines, or am I hoping for too much in wanting a filter on the engine?

[RadioRoy]

You could make the mounting bracket from some angle iron, or some of that angled industrial Erector set stuff.

The plumbing is simple, but make sure that you have the restrictor in place on the inlet side, so you don't lose oil pressure.

[nvonada]

There are several pictures on my web site of my oil filter. It is pretty standard except most people mount the filter on the other side of the engine. Pressurized oil comes off the oil pump then drains back into the dipstick tube. As stated above the oil pump fitting should have a restriction to limit the oil flow (and pressure drop from the filter installation).

http://stude.vonadatech.com/wp/engine-removal-and-cleanup/engine-assembly/

http://stude.vonadatech.com/wp/engine-removal-and-cleanup/engine-pull-screwups/

http://stude.vonadatech.com/wp/brake-inspection-and-spring-maintenance/

Nathan

[K Russell]

That's a nice setup on your engine. A question about the fitting coming out of the oil pump; did you have to drill and tap that in place or was your engine always like that? On mine there's no fitting there and I'm looking for some place to tap off the engine to the filter. If I used the port where the oil pressure gauge line comes from, installed a double outlet fitting, would that screw up my pressure gauge reading, or do I need to plumb from another location?

[njonkman]

That's a nice setup on your engine. A question about the fitting coming out of the oil pump; did you have to drill and tap that in place or was your engine always like that? On mine there's no fitting there and I'm looking for some place to tap off the engine to the filter. If I used the port where the oil pressure gauge line comes from, installed a double outlet fitting, would that screw up my pressure gauge reading, or do I need to plumb from another location?

I used a T for the pressure gauge and that worked fine on mine.

[nvonada]

Yes, any T will work. I am pretty sure it is 1/8" NPT. As I recall (I was 12 at the time) the manifold-thing you see in the pictures came with the filter kit. But a regular T from the hardware store will be fine. Your oil pressure will be a tad lower but probably not enough to tell on the gauge. Not much oil actually goes through that filter. I assume it is better than nothing.

NAPA is a good source for the cartridges.

Nathan

[K Russell]

You could make the mounting bracket from some angle iron, or some of that angled industrial Erector set stuff.

The plumbing is simple, but make sure that you have the restrictor in place on the inlet side, so you don't lose oil pressure.

Is that restrictor you mentioned built into the filter housing or is it something I need to buy and plumb into place?

[K Russell]

There are several pictures on my web site of my oil filter. It is pretty standard except most people mount the filter on the other side of the engine. Pressurized oil comes off the oil pump then drains back into the dipstick tube. As stated above the oil pump fitting should have a restriction to limit the oil flow (and pressure drop from the filter installation).

http://stude.vonadatech.com/wp/engine-removal-and-cleanup/engine-assembly/

http://stude.vonadatech.com/wp/engine-removal-and-cleanup/engine-pull-screwups/

http://stude.vonadatech.com/wp/brake-inspection-and-spring-maintenance/

Nathan

Do you have a pic of where the return line goes into the dipstick tube? Not at all sure how that would hook up.

[RadioRoy]

Is that restrictor you mentioned built into the filter housing or is it something I need to buy and plumb into place?

It's not built in to the filter housing. You have to make sure to install one.

Typically, it is a small orifice hole on the fitting that goes into the engine block and connects the block to the input hose of the filter. Most filter kits will have it built into the fitting, but not the filter housing.

[nvonada]

Here is a good one:

The NPT boss is brazed into the dipstick tube. I think this was done at the factory. Then there is a 90-degree adapter from 1/8" NPT to the flare fitting for the return line.

The fitting on the end of the input hose of my filter has a small hole in it to serve as the restriction. I don't have a picture of that.

Nathan

[garyash]

Here's an older diagram of the filter connections, but all the flathead blocks should be similar in regards to oil connections. You should be able to insert a fitting in the oil gallery on the passenger side of the block, just in front of the oil pump - if only you can get the plug out after this many years. I had to weld a bolt onto mine. I put in a fitting and screwed a short male/female brass fitting with a 0.060" orifice into the elbow, then the piping. Orifices of 0.045" to 0.060" will all work. I got mine from the brass fittings cabinet at my FLAPS.

[jclary]

Gary's post is an excellent rendition of how it is done. I like to keep the dedicated oil pressure line independent of other applications. (No good logical reason, just my preference.)

One additional note...I have seen some of these generic add-on type filters with a drain on the bottom beside the bottom connection. Searching on Google, led to this link. I believe this style would be preferable to those without the drain. I'll have to look through the ones I have to see if any have this drain port.

[K Russell]

Thanks for all the replies. Post #11 really shows it all well, plus last night I got a look at the setup on a friend's '53.

[nvonada]

That drain would be a beautiful thing. Getting the oil out of the canister is by far the worst part of the job.