The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Another oil-filter related question

On the 216 engine (mine is a '53), I understand the crankcase capacity is increased from 5 to 6 quarts if an external one-quart canister-type filter is added. At least, that is what I have learned from this forum, as neither the owner's manual nor the shop manual appear to address this issue.

When filling the engine after an oil change, is it best to add the 6th quart to the filter can, or just to fill thru the valve cover? Or does it make any difference?

On my later (60s) cars I always fill the filter can with one quart before adding the rest of the engine oil. I wondered whether the same technique might apply with the stovebolt six.

Both methods work. Because it is a bypass type filter it won't make much if any difference. If you are concerned about running a quart low then by all means add a quart to the filter. I use the time when changing oil about 1 minute to verify pressure. Then add oil until the dip stick says I am good. Others may have a different idea about this but it has worked for me. New motors get the oil in the canister just because I don't want the level to drop when running for the first time. Other wise I just add after I verify pressure.

My Ford manuals say to add 4qts when changing oil, but includes a note to add a 5th qt if the oil filter was changed.

But all my manuals say to run the motor and check the dipstick level, and add to fill line if needed.

A bypass filter will not hold an entire quart unless the media is saturated... so it you pour in a qt, then try to add the filter it will not go well. Ditto if you put the filter in first then try to pour in a qt... unless the media is saturated it will not hold a full qt.

Is there a check valve in those original Chevy oil filters, or what keeps the oil from draining out of them back to engine on the hose coming up to the bottom of the filter?

John

No check valve. The return line attaches to a tube inside the housing, the hole, which also acts as a restrictor in the line, that the oil goes through is about an inch from the top of the canister housing. On the Fram, it's actually higher than the inlet port.