Travis,
Thanks for relating your experiences. I would like to take a minor
issue with your conclusions. While there is a spring loaded bypass for
clogged filters, it is set at a release pressure above the pressure that
would be generated by an OIL and FILTER changed with manufacturer's
recommended regularity. If the change is, say, every 3,000 miles under
normal use, or 1,000 miles under heavy duty use (defined by MOST
manufacturers as city driving, short drives, severe cold) then the
bypass would never open.
Now we are faced with the decision on what kind of oil and filter. The
answer is THE BEST, with modern additives. Castrol is GOOD. Low
(10W-40) oil for good moderate mileage engines, and the FL1A Motorsport
high efficiency filters. If you need 50W, or greater, oil to get good
oil pressure, you really need a rebuild on the engine.
To my knowledge, no automotive filter has TOO MANY layers ($$$$), but
they can get high flow resistance from loading up with particles from
long change intervals, or dirty engines.
Steve
Travis Hall wrote:
> I've heard that said of Fram over the years, as well as others.
>
> Last year our club took a tour of Ethyl corp here in Richmond. They
> make all the additives(among other things) for the different gas
> companies. That's a story for another time. They have room after room
> of engines running on test stands 24/7.
>
> This question of oil filters came up and the Ethyl rep advised us that
> the path through the oil filter on almost every engine made is
> optional. There is a bypass in case of a clog and to keep oil flowing
> when some owner may never change a filter. Also, it helps keep your
> oil pressure up. Like all fluids, he stated, oil flows in the path of
> least resistance. Too many filter layers (read more resistance) can
> result in less oil being filtered on each pass. His advice, buy
> whatever filter they have in stock, the most important thing is to
> change it every oil change.
>
> I still have a favorite brand, but if they don't have it, I take his
> advise.
>
> Travis
> B9472584
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Steve Laifman
Editor - TigersUnited.com
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