Oil Filter Canister Blues

Shoebox

Well-known member
I am having a heck of a time with something so common, the factory oil filter canister. Finishing my 8ba 276 engine build and I want an original oil filter. I took one I had and just sent it in for chroming,....only to realize upon it's return that it is one that mounts to head bolts, NOT what I wanted and a very expensive mistake (its for sale)! So I pick up another off that auction site and what's with this? See pic. This washer/plate thing at the top of the tube? I am thinking it is a remnant of a deceased oil filter, there are bits at the bottom that seem to indicate this, but boy this thing is really on there. Thought I'd post here before getting rough with removing it. Thanks.
 

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Just a guess… that washer looks to be the same diameter as a toilet paper roll. Back in the day, toilet paper was used instead of a real oil filter in order to save money. Check it out and tell us if I win a chicken dinner!
 
Just a guess… that washer looks to be the same diameter as a toilet paper roll. Back in the day, toilet paper was used instead of a real oil filter in order to save money. Check it out and tell us if I win a chicken dinner!


Perhaps you're right, but the crumbling remaining bits seem to indicate a filter that disintigrated in the canister over time.
 
looks like there are more problems than just a stuck washer i would be check out the swap meets [P.S. take a spanner and open them up before you commit ]
 
One thing to check is: is the return path clear? Here is a pic of a common oil filter's return holes. Not sure if your filter cannister works the same way.
 

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The chrome filter cannister will work if you use 3 of these head bolts with studs as shown in first photo and second photos. In the photo, the third bolt is hidden by the cannister.
Third photo shows cannister mounted to head using 3/8-16 bolts.
 

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One thing to check is: is the return path clear? Here is a pic of a common oil filter's return holes. Not sure if your filter cannister works the same way.


On my nice chrome canister the return holes are present as you depict, my recently acquired canister is too crusty at this time, to see them. That washer at the top of the tube does seem to be welded and I just cant understand how a filter could go on it.
 
Looks like that washer should be installed inside the top lid of the cannister as in photo #4. Filter can't be installed with that washer in the way. Here's another photo of a 1950-53 cannister. Don't forget to install a soft copper washer under the head of the lid bolt.
 

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Well, just to conclude this episode, that was a washer rusted to the top of the tube. Took some heat and twisting and it came off. The inside is kinda crusty, going to blast the canister inside and out and see if this thing can be used once again. Thanks.
 
One of these nifty little adapters would fix a problem like this ..........Mark
 

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I made 2 of these adapters from 1/4 in. thick aluminum if anyone needs them.
 

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shoe box sorry so long to reply been away its what im not seeing no base washer and plenty of rust need to keep crap out not add it. Also some have the spring in the base not the lid. Thats why i always look before i pay
 
shoe box sorry so long to reply been away its what im not seeing no base washer and plenty of rust need to keep crap out not add it. Also some have the spring in the base not the lid. Thats why i always look before i pay


All true for sure. Even after soaking in Evaporust for days I'm not happy with the inside, as you say "need to keep crap out not add it". I am back to looking for a NICE filter canister that uses the 3 threaded bosses on head for mounting. Thanks.
 
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