The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop odd oil filter canister

Have an odd oil filter canister. No markings or name. Its about 9" long and 4" in diameter and the bottom is cone shaped. Two brackets to hold it to the manifold are welded on. There is a tapped hole on the side near the top and one on the bottom of the cone. It has a bolt to hold the lid and the bolt threads into a hollow tube which goes to the bottom and through the bottom tapped hole. I could find no hole in the tube and I have no idea how this one works. I filled it with water through the side hole and nothing came out the bottom. I reversed the process and ran water through the bottom hole and again nothing exited. Anyone know how this thing works?

Oil should go from engine into one of those holes through a line, then pass through a filter, and out through the other hole. I have a filter on mine but I don't know if it's the same as what you're talking about.

Okay, after rereading your description and checking mine, I am fairly certain that they are the same. I can't guarantee you this is right because mine has oil in it and is hard to tell where the passages are but I am fairly certain that a line from the block goes to the top hole of the canister, there, it passes through the filter and somewhere in the bottom of the canister there is a hole in that threaded tube. Then it comes out through the bottom and back into through a line into the block. I had pictures on here but unfortunately my account has expired. Sounds to me like it is plugged up.

The hole in ther center tube is tiny, about 1/16" in diameter or so. It's not too uncommon for it to get plugged up. Screw the top cover bolt into the tube and apply air pressure to the bottom fitting hole. That should blow any debris out of the return hole in the center tube. Oil from the side fitting enters the housing, passes through the filter element, and exits through the flow control hole to the fitting at the bottom center. Keep searching- - - -the exit hole has to be there.
Jerry

I bought a bypass filter like yours for my truck engine off Ebay.
I agree with what the guys said above about it being plugged with gunk... mine was plugged too.
I did as Jerry suggested above and shot some air through the lines and the sludge shot out.
I flushed it a few times and when happy with the results, I finished cleaning the housing and then painted and installed it.
Jerry W.

I know how they work as I have one on my truck but this one baffled me as I could not find a small hole on that centre tube. Will try the compressed air.
thanks.

I had the same problem. Took a dental pic, poked around and finally found that little hole. It's their, just have to find it.

On the agenda for tomorrow. Will report.

Here's what you should do. Fill it up with dirty oil. Put the air nozzle into one of the fittings, and look through the other one...... Hahaha.

It would be just like Buster Keaton and Fatty Arbuckles' Garage!

Hey Chris when its finished I'm selling it.

EUREKA! I found the hole. Man is it tiny. I am surprised oil could get through there.

I believe the hole was made that size to keep the oil pressure up and to not starve the lower half of the engines bearings.

Turn the canister upside down and fill the tube with spray carburetor cleaner through the bottom fitting. It will soak through the sludge and show the location of the hole in the tube. You'll probably need to have the center bolt installed to keep the carb cleaner in the tube.

Edit: glad you found it! That's what keeps the oil pressure loss to a minimum with the "bypass" system.
Jerry