The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1946 Chevy 1/2Ton - Oil Filter Canister

I'm working on the oil filter canister and just wondering which is the correct method to install the metal washer with rubber washer. My canister had the washer at the bottom and it seems like the filter sits on it. But I've seen pictures with the washer connected to the spring under the cover. The metal washer has a lip which connects to the spring, so I'm thinking it goes on the spring. Which is correct?

Ideally, there should be a washer top and bottom- - - -they spread out the load of the spring and prevent distorting the end of the filter cartridge.
Jerry

John,

As Jerry says, my truck has the S-6 filter and it has a spring on the top and the bottom.

My Cadillac has the same filter but the design was changed slightly. The spring on top is the sam but the bottom has an inverted "top hat" that slides over the shaft and holds the filter element off the bottom of the canister.

I'll see if I can find a picture.

That's how I found mine on the bottom. It looks like it would hold the filter off the bottom.

Yes that's what it does. It's a stand-off. Mine actually looks like a stovepipe hat. The "top" of the hat rests on the bottom of the canister and a spring over the bolt coming through the top of the canister keeps the element pressed against the upturned brim of Abe Lincoln's hat.

The spring on top is conical shaped and the widest part rests on the element. Mine has no washer attached to the spring in either the Cadillac or the Chevy.

Looking at the pictures you provided the spring and washer on your filter looks to go together at the top .The bottom of your canister has dimples to keep the filter off the bottom and allow flow out the bottom .The one picture with the washer at the bottom is smooth at the bottom of the canister therefore looks like it does need the washer to keep the filter off the bottom.The picture with red looks simulator to yours with dimples on the bottom and spring and washer on top.

OK - When it comes time to install the filter I'll flip a coin! Thanks for everyone's input.

As I'm getting closer to being able to install the front fenders, I'm wondering if I should install the oil filter or not run one. I read they were not standard equipment on engines before '63? I do have all the parts needed, but what are your pros and cons to adding the cannister and filter? It seems at some point the lines always leak. I would not mind changing oil more often. I was thinking about hanging the oil cannister for show. 😜

Go ahead and install it and hook it up. It's a good looking accessory. As was mentioned in another thread about oil and oil changes, modern oil is so far superior to what was available even 25 years ago that running an engine without a filter and changing the oil once a year is probably just fine.

But why do that when you have a filter ready to go. If nothing else, it buys you peace of mind.

Hanging it for show bugs the crap out of me. I have a friend with a '56 Cadillac with a 1960 engine installed. It has a factory spin on filter but he has the canister style mounted there "for looks". It looks stupid as hell in my opinion with no hoses going anywhere and the spin on filter right below it.

Leaking lines? Who knows how long the lines on my truck have been installed - more than 20 years I know for certain. No leaks. My Cadillac and Packard have the same filters. No leaks on either of them, either. Both of those cars have metal plumbing. Ol' Roy has rubber lines.

No cons to installing it.

All pros for installing it.

I did all that work to clean and paint it. I was just looking for someone to nudge me a little bit. As always - Thanks Otto!

I will nudge you in the other direction, lol. You are right, the hoses tend to leak at some point near the fittings, and they occasionally break from age, or today, just the difference in materials from years gone by. Today's replacements are not as durable as yesterdays replacements.

The oiling system is a bypass system so it is just a bit of oil, but it bleeds pressure from the main galley, filters the oil, then dumps the filtered oil directly into the pan where it is instantly diluted with dirty oil. These filters were optional, you paid for one when you bought the truck, or you installed one later. But none were standard equipment and millions of motors never had one to begin with, or ever for that matter.

Your filter looks amazing. I cannot imagine you are going to drive the truck tens of thousands of miles per year. You don't really need the filter if you change your oil regularly.

I do not run a filter on my heavily modified 261. I prefer to make sure all pressure and volume is used for the motor itself, bearings and rockers, lifters. I get about 300-800 miles per year on it. I generally change my oil once a year, sometimes I get lazy and its once every other year. Ten years, not one issue and I am very hard on the motor.

I put the oil canister back on my 261 basically for show knowing it was not very effective from what I read here. Sorry to change the subject slightly but your canister looks great. Are the decals for it available and possibly for the air cleaner top or any other areas also that may be needed?

I got my decals from Jim Carter Truck Parts - just search for "decals".