Oil filter touching exhaust pipe?

[SecondMonkey]

I just bought a 1979 Chevy 1 ton truck with the 350 engine. The first thing I did was go buy the extra long 2 quart oil filter for this truck. (Listed as a factory option) The oil filter hangs straight down and now that it's twice as long, it just barely touches one of the exhaust pipes. It scratched a ring in the paint on the filter as I screwed it on, so they're just touching at a pin point.

Do you think this is going to be a problem? Should I try to fit a peice of insulation between them? I plan on getting some new headers which will solve the problem but not for a few months at least...

 

[George7941]

I see two problems.One is heat transfer from the exhaust to the oil. The other problem is the exhaust pipe movement constantly stressing the mount of the filter.

I would use the 1-quart filters.

 

[Colt45ws]

Yup, I would back down to standard size.

 

[demarpaint]

The risk of the added capacity vs. the reward associated with the larger filter is NOT WORTH IT. If you want to use a larger filter I would suggest re-locating the filter. Last thing you need is a hole worn or popped and dropping a full sump of oil in a matter of seconds, destroying an engine. JMO

 

[Familyguy]

Go back to the shorter filter.

 

[Pablo]

Within 3/4" or so, problem. Touching=big problem. R&R with reg filter. Wait for new headers.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Familyguy
Go back to the shorter filter.


+1 you are just asking for trouble. My Yukon had the same issue. Had to use the short filter.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Go back to the shorter one before you wear a hole in it.

 

[johnd]

Why don't you get a ball peen hammer and dent the exhaust pipe just enough to clear? I wouldn't be enough to affect flow because, as you point out, it barely touches now.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Get that filter off there NOW! What do you need a 2qt filter for anyway? It buys you absolutely nothing.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: George7941
I see two problems.One is heat transfer from the exhaust to the oil. The other problem is the exhaust pipe movement constantly stressing the mount of the filter.

I would use the 1-quart filters.
+1

Or if you really want a bigger filter get a spin-on remote mount kit so you can relocate the filter to another area.

 

[mechtech2]

My vote in this case is for the sorter filer.
It's not like you have an original filter that is 1/2 pint, like on some new cars. You have a nice sized one originally.

 

[Papa Bear]

I would give the pipe a whack with a ball-pein hammer and put a dent in it to clear the filter.

 

[addyguy]

I would not want any part of my engine actually touching an exhaust header. Too much heat and movement. If it wear a hole in the filter. or 'jiggles' it loose enough to leak, you'll have big problems.

 

[SecondMonkey]

Originally Posted By: johnd
Why don't you get a ball peen hammer and dent the exhaust pipe just enough to clear?

Thinking about doing that, I will be replacing the entire exhaust system so it wouldn't be a big deal. Not sure how much clearance I could get though...

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
What do you need a 2qt filter for anyway? It buys you absolutely nothing.

Because the pan only holds 4 quarts, and the regular filter less than one, for a total of less than 5 quarts. I figure a big a$$ one ton truck with high gearing should have more oil than that. Eventually I'd like to use the stock size filter AND add two remote 2 quart filters...

But like I said, only a temporary problem until I get new headers...

 

[Colt45ws]

5 in the engine is better than 6 on the ground.

 

[OVERKILL]

Yes, it's a big one-ton truck, but it is also making a whopping 185HP (unless you got one of the higher-output models), so there is less stress on the bottom-end than would be present with a higher HP engine.

How many miles are on it currently? Does it consume oil? If it has gone this far with a sub-5qt sump, I wouldn't get overly concerned about it.

 

[SecondMonkey]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Yes, it's a big one-ton truck, but it is also making a whopping 185HP (unless you got one of the higher-output models), so there is less stress on the bottom-end than would be present with a higher HP engine.

Yeah, but I wouldn't have hundreds of posts here if I wasn't overly obsessed about my oil.

My main concern is that I have a 4.56 rear end and 4 speed "granny tranny", so my engine has to spin around 3k @ 55mph. I'll also be towing some heavy stuff with it. It's almost like a boat engine.

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
How many miles are on it currently? Does it consume oil?

It's only got just under 50k on it, but it does burn a lot of oil. I beileve it's a valve seal issue, since the manual warns to only use leaded gas, (LOL) but I'm going to put a new set of heads on it soon as well. I haven't driven it far enough to know how much it burns, this is just my first oil change, but it smells like a chain saw when it's running...

 

[JT1]

Smells like a chain saw huh? Carb in need a bit of tuning?

 

[olddognewtrks]

My main concern is holing the filter and starting a rather ferocious oil fire under the hood. You really don't want to burn your truck to the ground. Not to mention you'd be in it at the time!