oil filter

[Dave]

New member to TRS. Yesterday I bought a '92 extended cab, 3L, automatic. My '88 E350 with a 351 and C6 gets 11 mpg and I needed something that gets better mileage. It's my second Ranger but I sold my first one about 11 years ago.

I have an oil filter question....the 3L uses a FL400S, the 351 a FL1A. Both filters have the same thread and o-ring size. Other than there physical size, they're the same. As long as there is room for the FL1A, any reason not to use it on the 3L? Thanks for any ideas/input.

Dave

 

[Robin Hood]

I'm going to throw this out there, but please correct me if I'm wrong. The filter is bigger, you'd have to add more oil and I'm guessing a small oil pressure drop would occur since it has to work through a bigger filter...

I think...

 

[Dave]

It will hold a little more oil...a pint or so. It will have no affect on the oil pressure at all. Oil pump volume, oil pump relief valve setting, and clearances between bearings and/or parts is what determines the oil pressure.

Dave

 

[Robin Hood]

So you're answering it yourself?

 

[almostclueless]

I seem to remember the filter being horizontal. I'd use stock size, but you've already convinced yourself.

 

[Black_Splash]

I seem to remember the filter being horizontal. I'd use stock size, but you've already convinced yourself.

Can't he use the 90 degree adapter that is talked about for the four cylinder in the tech library? That would get it vertical or will it be to low then?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a 1A will not even come close to fitting between the frame rail and block...ive tried.

the filter does not protrude exactly 90 degrees from the block, its at an angle...so the 90 degree adapter would have a hard time creating the clearance needed for the larger filter (youve got a manifold, frame rail, and brake lines to contend with).

your best bet would be a remote oil filter adapter. this way you can locate the filter anywhere its easy to access, upright (no drainback and less of a mess when you change the filter), and you have an easy way to tap into the oil system for running an oil pressure guage.

 

[Dave]

Wicked_Sludge.....thanks for the good answer. That's what I needed to know. Dave

 

[Rearanger]

your best bet would be a remote oil filter adapter. this way you can locate the filter anywhere its easy to access, upright

I agree with remote filter idea but question the "anywhere" statement. If you want to mount it vertical down you will not find any easy location that will not also put the filter at risk for ground debris damage or access. I finally mounted my remote mount just ahead of the front DS wheel well, between the fender skirt and bumper. I had to remove the bumper to get access for mounting. If you use a bigger filter that is not vertical up then you run the risk of drain back if the filter is above the remote mount adapter and of having to replace the filter empty along with a longer time at start-up to get full pressure as the filter refills.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

its really not hard to find a location to mount the filter. behind the bumper would have been my first suggestion (late 90's/early 00's f-150s did this). mid 80's s-10 blazers mounted the filter inside the engine compartment on the fender....you could even run it back and mount it on the frame rail.

as for mounting position, its largely personal preference. many of todays automotive oil filters include an anti-drainback valve so you could mount the filter upside down if thats what tickled your fancy. personally, i would strive to mount the filter vertically just for the added reassurance.

 

[Rearanger]

many of todays automotive oil filters include an anti-drainback valve so you could mount the filter upside down if thats what tickled your fancy.

The purpose of the anti-drainback is not to capture all the oil pumped into the filter, but to prevent only the intake side dirty oil from draining back into the engine. The outflow (upstream side) of the filter still drains as well as the downstream side less dirt because it has to go through the filter media first. (For it not to drain back on the intake side there would have to be a check valve on the filter mount at the engine.) That leaves you with an empty filter on each start-up depending on the length of shut down, height of the filter to engine, and the orientation. A larger filter mounted in the down or horizontal position above the filter mount will drain back and take longer to fill and build pressure in the system.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the drainback valve holds a vacuum in the filter so that no oil can drain out of it. ever turned a submerged glass upside down and lifted it out of the dishwater full of water? same principal.

if drainback was a problem for anti drainback valve equipped filters, i would notice no difference in oil pressure coming up on normal start up vs a fresh, empty filter after an oil change (stock filter location and orientation)...but i do. oil pressure on normal startup is instant.