Oil Filter Options

[Broadwaydan]

I am getting closer to dropping in the engine and tranny for the first time. I have a question about oil filter options versus using the relocation kit. I have a Ford 302/347 stroker engine. Engine came with a Proline PPL-30001 filter. I have been told that a smaller "Pancake" filter would fit and allow removal for changes. I was told a mid-60's Sunbeam Tiger filter would work. I looked for one and it appears to be about the same size as what I have now - about 5 1/4" tall. Anybody have any info or input on options for this. If needed I will use the relo kit, but trying to keep it a little cleaner if possible. Thanks.

Dan

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I would leave whatever you have on there until after you install, then make a decision about where to locate it and what to use. I don't like relo kits (they introduce new issues IMHO) and there is NO issue with the filter, even a full size one, in the stock location. Look at this photo;

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The filter is easy to get to, even with a mechanical fuel pump and fuel lines running around it. That is a K&N full size filter in the pic.

AJ

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you are running 4 into 4 headers a standard filter will fit. Not the case with shorties but I believe that with most there is room to allow use of a 90 degree adaptor like what was installed on Windsor engined Explorers which will then let you run a standard filter.

Jeff

[skullandbones]

Well. You know some people know exactly what their build will be like from day one and then there are others that slip down the slippery slope of mods and bling. In my case, the BBK ceramic 4x4 headers were too much for me to resist. After reading several threads about heat, performance, fit, etc, I was hooked. So there goes the budget once again. In the mean time I had purchased and installed the obligatory remote oil filter system. Never liked it's looks but the shorty headers would not allow the stock filter. So now I'm looking at the giant space that I can install the stock filter. Off with the ugly grey tubes and back to the stock filter. It looks like a full size filter will fit. Maybe I can use some of the components from the remote to do an oil cooler install later. Oh well. Good luck! WEK.

[Broadwaydan]

AJ - I saw that same picture in the question I posted about the MSD box location - so thought the filter might work. However, I am using the shorty headers, so may be more of an issue. Will check it out when I start to put the engine in. Thanks for the info.

PS - I like the look of your set-up.

Dan

[emac]

Fwiw here is a picture of my 351 with shorty headers mechanical fuel pump. I needed a 90° adapter oil pressure sender adapter and a shorter filter. I even had to slightly adjust the filter adapter to get it to work with the fuel pump.

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[Dave Lind]

I am a novice, 1st time builder and haven't worked, seriously, on a car since my 1957 VW so use your discretion, but what I found was the 'pancake' filter still conflicted with the 'shorty' headers. (A cheap $4 experiment.) Then, a 1990 or 1999 302 Explorer, forget which, sorry, did have an oil filter adaptor that moved the filter to a vertical position, but it was, first, bigger, longer, whatever you want to call it, than the 'pancake' filter, so it still conflicted with the 'shorty' headers, second, it was only one part of a unit designed to be an oil cooler for the Explorer and the parts guy couldn't/wouldn't verify that the filter would fit without the rest of the oil cooler parts which would have dropped the filter to a few inches off the ground, and, third, the price of the adapter, alone, was over $400. Can't/won't say for anybody else, but moving the oil filter to a remote location for a 302 seems the easiest. Maybe once I fire it up the error of my ways will become obvious but neither 'pancake' filter nor an Explorer adaptor seems to be the answer either.

[emac]

Dave,
I think I still have my remote oil filter kit that came with my complete kit if you need one. Personally, I did not want to run a remote filter and the Ford Racing 90 degree adapter works fine with a short WIX filter as seen in my picture post #6.

Ernest

[Dave Lind]

Emac:

Do you have a part number? Would prefer not to run a remote filter but my Ford dealer could not come up with anything other than the Explorer unit which still 'bound up' with the shorty headers.

thanks

[Bob Cowan]

Here's the part you need. Call Mike Forte and have him send it to you. If you want, he will even drill and tap for a temp sensor.
http://www.fortesparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=2592

[emac]

+1 on what Bob said. I run the WIX 51068 filter. You should be able to cross reference it to another brand. As i wrote in an earlier post, I had to extend my oil pressure sender unit and I had to grind a tiny bit on the filter adapter to get it to clear the mechanical fuel pump.

ernest

[emac]

Emac:

Do you have a part number? Would prefer not to run a remote filter but my Ford dealer could not come up with anything other than the Explorer unit which still 'bound up' with the shorty headers.

thanks

Also, you probably want to stay away from the dealer unless you know exactly what you want. Ask here first, you will get all the advice you need....and then some! The site vendors know these cars very well.

[CapeCoralCobra]

X 2...or 3 on the 90 degree adapter. I'm running a full size FL-1A at a slight angle with it & shorty headers. The supplied relocation kit is not exactly the highest quality and is prone to leaking without added work/better fittings. Mine actually split dead center and leaked a bunch of oil all over, probably due to tightening the fittings too much trying to stop them from leaking.

[SCFFR]

x4 on the 90 degree adapter. I have one on my 410 stroker engine with Ford Racing shorty headers (under car exhaust) along with mechanical fuel pump and there is plenty of clearance with the shorter WIX filter mentioned above (also available as NAPA Gold filter). Had thought about relocation kit but why add more hoses and fittings which could potentially leak.

Ron

[SCFFR]

x4 on the 90 degree adapter. I have one on my 410 stroker engine with Ford Racing shorty headers (under car exhaust) along with mechanical fuel pump and there is plenty of clearance with the shorter WIX filter mentioned above (also available as NAPA Gold filter). Had thought about relocation kit but why add more hoses and fittings which could potentially leak.

Ron