Oil Filters

[Barnstormer]

Hey out there all you learned ones. I'm curious if anyone has thoughts or if anyone has used remote automotive oil filter setup on O-320.

Thanks
Pat

[dedgemon]

Why?

No really. Why? What problem does it solve for the added complexity?

[Snowflake]

If you're referring to changing an O-320 from an internal screen to an external, spin-on filter setup, yes, my O-320 is like that as are most of the RV's on my home field. This is simlar to an "automotive" setup in that it uses an external, spin-on filter, but it does use aviation filters. Is that what you had in mind?

[dedgemon]

Thought he maybe meant remote as in remote mounting or something.
The normal spin-on filter on the back of the motor is awfully easy to deal with.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Barnstormer

Hey out there all you learned ones. I'm curious if anyone has thoughts or if anyone has used remote automotive oil filter setup on O-320.

Thanks
Pat

When I built my RV-6 many years ago the O-320 E2D only had the screen so I mounted an automotive filter adapter to the firewall:



Details about the part numbers can be found about mid-page (please note a Champion aircraft filter was used):

http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/engine2.html

However, the casting had problems and I could never fix the leaks. I removed the mount and when the engine was overhauled a few months later a proper filter adapter was mounted to the accessory case:



I like the later installation better.

[Barnstormer]

Correct, the engine has no filter presently. Seems to be a lot of very good automotive filters available. Always looking for a cheaper alternative as long as it doesn't affect safety.
While we're talking about it, how many hours are considered acceptable for oil changes without filter?

Thanks
Pat

[9GT]

We installed a Wolfe remote mount on the Cozy MKIV, IO-360. It adds complexity, more locations for leaks or failure, a WHOLE LOT OF EXTRA WEIGHT, costs a lot of $$$, and its still a mess to change the filter plus we have to now remove the lower cowling which is a PITA. I would look into modifying the engine to accept the standard recommended aircraft filter. Your looking at about a $10 difference in cost for an aircraft filter in comparison to a quality automotive filter.

[aerhed]

Testing has shown that the stock screen actually does a pretty good job compared to a paper filter, or Airwolf screens. Money saved on a $20 filter could go towards more frequent oil changes. Also, it's easier to inspect/clean than it is to cut a filter can. So maybe adding a filter is not something to agonize over. Personal choice, I guess.

[Mike S]

I had a setup almost identical to what Sam used (below) on my old Stinson.



I got the oil from the cooler supply line, and fed the clean oil back into the cooler.

Never had any issues with it in 18 or so years of use.

I did use an aircraft filter on the automotive mount.

[Kent Ashton]

Originally Posted by aerhed

Testing has shown that the stock screen actually does a pretty good job compared to a paper filter, or Airwolf screens. Money saved on a $20 filter could go towards more frequent oil changes. Also, it's easier to inspect/clean than it is to cut a filter can.

Agree. The average pilot flies around 50 hrs per year. You change your oil in the spring and fall after 25 hours. Who needs a filter? If the engine starts making metal, you will see it in the screen. The engine will rust-out long before it wears out from particles that a filter would catch. Don't buy into the filter-lobby hype! Ha! (Full disclosure: I have a filter. )