90 degree oil filter adapter

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terrx

terrx

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Some minor tech...

A few times I parked my 96 on a slight slope (towards the passenger side) and after sitting overnight I got the so-called startup rattle.

I found a 90 degree filter adapter and am trying an experiement to see how it works. Didn't see any other posts or much discussion on this, but maybe I missed it...

$52 from Summit (part number FMS-M-6880-A50):
details & larger image

The install is pretty easy. I positioned it first and marked it with a yellow paint marker. Then tightened it carefully to keep it from shifting. I used a WIX 51068 filter. A full size 51515 filter is too long and won't clear the motor mount. Maybe there are other filters that would give more clearance but I haven't checked.

So far it's working pretty good. The time it takes after startup for the oil pressure to come up is noticably shorter.

-Scott


Here's some photos from the install:








 
Pretty slick. I've thought about doing something similar, but have had too many other projects to deal with first. If nothing else...it would make for less messy oil filter changes.
 
Are there any "negatives" to this? I like the idea, for cleaner oil changes alone, but if it actually helps the start up rattle, it sounds like a really good idea.
 
this is a Ford part with a non-metric thread?
 
I have made a maze of these in my engine bay. It only takes 6 addtl quarts of oil and I change my oil pump every 12K. Total mod cost is a measly $2500! US

The oil cooling factor is amazing!

I have all but lost half my oil pressure-Its a must for looks and functionality!

ROTFLMAO

Couldn't resist-I DO like the idea though!
 
You could mount it with the filter pointing UP like the 60 series is done.
 
Doc said:
You could mount it with the filter pointing UP like the 60 series is done.
Click to expand...
This kinda defeats the purpose of the 90 degree adapter. The idea is to keep the oil in the filter instead of letting it drain back into the pan after shutdown. Keeping it in the filter means you don't need to refill the filter at each startup. Hopefully this will help lower the instances of startup rattle.

Pointing the filter up also makes oil changes a bigger mess than when it is down like shown.

Nick
 
To bad you can't turn it when it is time to change the oil. I'd rather have it pointing up for oil changes like in a 3FE. the oil is all drained out so no muss or fuss. upside down like that it is going to be overflowing when your remove it.
 
zebrabeefj40 said:
...Pointing the filter up also makes oil changes a bigger mess than when it is down like shown.

Nick
Click to expand...
A buddy of mine had a Mazda RX-7 years ago. I recall the filter was on top of the engine. He simply punched a hole in the bottom (uh...top) of the filter and the oil drained back into the pan. Made oil filter changes a breeze since there was nothing in the filter.
 
I saw a post from someone else suggesting that punching a hole in the filter at oil change time would let the oil drain out without getting everywhere. The bottom of it is pretty easy to get to from underneath.

There is probably enough room to orient the filter up - I wanted it down to prevent oil from draining back into the pan when turned off. I imagine that it might be better for trapping particles when oriented down since gavity would help keep them in the filter rather than possibly draining back into the pan with the oil. But I don't know about that.

The casting is stamped with the Ford logo. The box / packaging said "Ford Racing Development" or maybe it was "Ford Motor Sport" - I don't remember now. The threads are the same size and thread pitch as Toyota. I had been using a WIX 51515 filter which is pretty big and maybe was part of the reason I started to get that rattling going on.

One potential drawback is maybe some pressure drop through the adapter casting or it restricting the oil flow. The other things I can think of are maybe a little more exposure to getting wacked by something from underneath, and maybe a little less overall reliability since it could come loose or leak. So far it seems good though.

-Scott
 
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can't comment on the wix filter but I'm pretty sure the OEM small has a check valve which restricts the oil from draining back into the pan. I remember on my old FJ60 how clean the oil changes were since the oil filter was upside down. Then I read about these check valves and tried a OEM one. Oil everywhere when I pulled the filter off. Now if driving a spike through the bottom of the can would allow it to drain then I'd like this mod for just that purpose.
 
zebrabeefj40 said:
This kinda defeats the purpose of the 90 degree adapter. The idea is to keep the oil in the filter instead of letting it drain back into the pan after shutdown. Keeping it in the filter means you don't need to refill the filter at each startup. Hopefully this will help lower the instances of startup rattle.

Pointing the filter up also makes oil changes a bigger mess than when it is down like shown.

Nick
Click to expand...

Refilling the filter at each start-up? unless you are using a FRAM or some other CRAP flow-back is not a problem. Even if I leave the drain on the pan open for 3 hrs! the filter in my 3fe is still full. I think this is negligible and purely theoretical
 
e9999 said:
this is a Ford part with a non-metric thread?
Click to expand...

I believe (please correct me?) that the majority of threads for oil filters are already metric by default even on US vehicles. The FL1-A (Ford) is actually a very good filter that I keep as a backup.
 
terrx, Nice find, looking at the piece does any part of it look restrictive? From the pictures it looks like the smallest point is the hollow bolt on the outlet, as log as those holes are as large as the outlet hole it should be fine.


landtank said:
can't comment on the wix filter but I'm pretty sure the OEM small has a check valve which restricts the oil from draining back into the pan. I remember on my old FJ60 how clean the oil changes were since the oil filter was upside down. Then I read about these check valves and tried a OEM one. Oil everywhere when I pulled the filter off. Now if driving a spike through the bottom of the can would allow it to drain then I'd like this mod for just that purpose.
Click to expand...

the OEM filters and most other filters have what is called an "anti drain back valve" this is a rubber or silicone flap that covers the inlet holes (outer ring of holes) when oil flows in the forward direction the flap is pushed out if the way, after shutdown if it prevents reverse flow out of the filter,

The problem with this is even if the ABDV works, and some do not, there is nothing to keep the oil from flowing out the filter outlet (big hole in the middle) the oil has several paths out near the bottom of the motor and a place for air in from the valve train,

from watching the dip stick and comparing filters both directly after shut down (when you are suppose to) and after sitting overnight the oil filter defiantly drains, with this adapter the oil should be come trapped in the filter on shutdown reducing the amount of time you are without oil pressure on start up witch is good in itself, this also should help with start up rattle.

With those two problems taken care of then there is no down side to using the big filter but unfortunately it sounds it wont fit,

With a vertical filter you can also preload the filter during an oil change.
 
It looks like the adapter could add some restriction, but it's hard to tell. The oil pressure seems to behave normally.

I use the WIX 51068 filter. It's bigger than the 51348 filter (like the OEM small filter?) and about 3/4 inch shorter than a 51515.

Below is a close up photo of the adapter.

-Scott


 
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