I need to replace my oil filter lines. The top line, into the filter, is one I replaced with 3/16" brake line (after I ripped it out trying to get the filter off - my first repair attempt on this car a couple years ago, and a story for another day). The line out of the filter, on the bottom is a 5/16" copper line. What size are these lines supposed to be? I have some leaking there and want to replace the lines.
napmaster,
I looked for a photo of my car's oil filter, but could not find one. I will take a
photo of it the next time I go out to the garage where it is stored. But from
memory, I think the oil lines on it are small, like 3/16" or so. My set-up started
out as using the throw-away style canisters, but I have since converted it to
the style you have --- the cartridge style. However, the top oil line on mine
comes out the side of the can, not out the top. I will do my best to go out to
my garage tomorrow and take some photos and measurements for you.
The lines are small. I believe the in line to the filter is smaller to limit the quantity so not to starve other parts of the engine. I replaced my in line as well. I replaced it like for like as the fittings on the block dictated on my 36 coupe.
A word of caution! If you remove the flare fittings screw a spare flare nut into it as these small ones are easy to crush out of round while trying to get it out or back in.
It was the first time I'd bent and flared tubing in 50+ years!
Quote from: 36splodge on March 21, 2018, 03:49:01 AM
The lines are small. I believe the in line to the filter is smaller to limit the quantity so not to starve other parts of the engine. I replaced my in line as well. I replaced it like for like as the fittings on the block dictated on my 36 coupe.
A word of caution! If you remove the flare fittings screw a spare flare nut into it as these small ones are easy to crush out of round while trying to get it out or back in.
It was the first time I'd bent and flared tubing in 50+ years!
On engines built after late 1933, the return from the oil filter goes into the oil pressure spool valve. And the oil pressure valve is designed to cut off flow through the oil filter when the oil pressure drops too low. So the smaller line shouldn't be necessary to keep from starving the engine of oil.
Agree with putting a tube nut into the fitting prior to putting a wrench on the fitting. Learned that one the hard way a long time ago.
This pic shows the small lines on my 39. The switch is an oil pressure cut-off for an electric fuel pump. If the engine ever loses oil pressure (ie, it quits running), the fuel pump shuts off instead continuing to pump gas into the carb. Something to keep in mind if you ever go with an electric pump.
Napmaster,
I did get some photos for you. My lines appear to be 3/16" O.D. and are steel.
Both the lines are the same size. Hope this helps. (Photos too large -- stand by...).
Photos....
Thanks for the help guys. Just what I needed. I never know for sure if what I am seeing on this car is correct, or something changed over the last 80 years.
By the way, would those lines need to be double flared? They aren't under a lot of pressure like a brake line is.
Quote from: napmaster on March 23, 2018, 10:43:43 PM
By the way, would those lines need to be double flared? They aren't under a lot of pressure like a brake line is.
I used double flare on my oil lines. The tube nuts on the lines and the brass fittings are the double flare type, so I figured why not.