The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Oil filter for 235 6 cylinder different than none

My 235 came stock with no oil filter. I have heard that the oil filters were worse than no filter at all since they had to pump the oil up into the filter on the intake manifold and took oil away from the rest of the block. I am considering installing one. To me a filter of any kind would be better than none since I know it will keep major particles away from the bearings?

Does anyone know of any studies or have personal experience that says how many miles more can be expected out of the engine with an oil filter vs not having one? Is it worth it to install one?

If your 235 came without an oil filter, the filter that can be fitted is a "bypass" filter. This arrangement allows a small amount of the total flow to bypass the regular engine lubrication loop and go through the filter. It is expelled into the pan. If you were to study one of these filters after a period of use, you would find that it trapped a lot of "stuff". However, it is not a full flow arrangement.

The best arrangement is a combination of both full-flow and bypass filters. In order to flow enough oil to supply an engine's lubrication needs, a filter must do a mediocre job of trapping contaminants. The "micron" size (the holes the oil flows through) of a full-flow filter is small enough to trap chunks of dirt and metal that could score bearings, but the filter allows a lot of dirt to pass through. A bypass filter can have a much finer pore size, and it can do a much better job of filtering. Since the oil passes through the bypass filter slowly, and returns to the oil pan, it can be filtered very well, and contaminants of a much smaller size can be trapped. However, it would be impossible to flow enough oil through this fine media to lubricate the engine. Full-flow filters get the big chunks; bypass filters actually clean up the oil. Combine the two types of filters with a good-quality detergent oil that suspends the microscopic particles too small for either filter to trap, and you have a very clean-running engine. That's how LuberFiner 750 filters on big rigs have done it for years, one full flow, one bypass, and heavy-duty detergent oil.

Unfortunately, a 235 isn't plumbed for full-flow filtration, and can't be adapted easily. A bypass filter is the only game in town.
Jerry

This Tech Tip was given by Bruce Childs (AKA Phat) quite some time ago. I would suggest you have your engine out for a rebuild first, but it doesn't appear to be terribly complicated.

The oil is much cleaner with the bypass oil filter. I think it will increase the life of the engine. They also look good on a detailed engine compartment. Make shure you have good hoses & they clear everything. Many engines have been ruined by loosing all the oil from abroken hose.

Not necessary to drill the block. On my '55 I removed the pressure tube off the pump, ran copper tubes via bulkhead connectors thru the pan sides & Aeroquip up to my remote full flow filter mount. You're gonna lose about 5 PSI on the gauge due to filter restriction. Same way we used to do on flathead Fords. Easily done, works good & has passed the test of time. Doug

So how important is the remote oil filter.
Are there alot of you kids runnin out there without this modification???

my 57 didn't have one when I got it - about 50,000 original miles - looked and worked well and I'm near positive it'd never had any major work - at 70,000 still goin fine, but awhile back I put the filter on just because I got one on a truck I parted out

many thousands of these ol beasts went over 100,000 w/ just normal good care and no filter, and many hi milers got rebuilt to do it over - how much do you use it, how well do you care for it, how long do you expect to be able to buy gas for it are more important - change oil frequently and don't abuse it and it'll take you to your funeral!

Bill