Fitting A Modern Spin-on Oil Filter
I'd often thought there must be a better method of filtering the oil than the original felt filter system. One using a spin-on filter like the generic bracket I'd used on a TC would be nice. But one that looked like it belonged there on the block and not just another generic add-on. In discussing filters with Ian Linton, a friend in England, he suggested the mod which our mutual friend Brian Rainbow had told him about -a few of which were already in use in UK. It incorporated a filter bracket from a BMC A series engine -like the engines used in the Austin Metro- and a backing plate. He sent photos of all the bits he'd collected, intending to use it on the engine he was rebuilding and it did have the right look. Brian had had a few spin-on brackets custom made for TAs a few years back but we were both too late for one of those.
I bought a used bracket then was off to the machine shop to have a plate and pipe made up. And then to the hardware store to pick up a couple of 8x1 mm bolts. By adding the thickness of the plate and gaskets behind the bracket the original bolts will be too short. The mounting holes in the filter bracket are slightly closer together than the holes on the TA block where it will fit. So the holes in the bracket will have to be opened out a little to accept the wider spaced bolts. But the metal is soft enough that a round rasp makes quick work there. The plate between the bracket and the block is required to close off an area in the back of the bracket which, if left open, would gush oil onto the engine block before ever getting into the oil gallery. Aside from that it's a shoe-in.
NOTE: This modification will not work on early MPJG engines.
Components for the Austin Metro mod except for the bolts and oil pipe.
Ian's Filter Installed
Test Fitting My Bracket
Because the holes in the bracket have to be elongated horizontally the locking washers do not sit fully on solid metal and for insurance I drilled the heads of the two bolts for safety wire. The photo above, taken as I made adjustments to fit the pipe, was made without the spacer in place.
Notice the difference (two photos above) in the way Ian and I attached the oil line into the filter bracket. The banjo fitting he used is more aesthetically pleasing than the compression fittings I used. Good show!
As of October, 2010 I've covered over 2300 miles with the new filter system and I'm very pleased with it.
Thanks for the idea, Ian and Brian.
INSIDE THE FILTER
Since rebuilding the engine I have begun opening the filters to see what they're catching. The first I opened (after approx. 45 minutes without load) had several tiny flecks of shiny metal. But with a number of new and resurfaced parts -lifters, rockers, babbitt, rings, honed cylinder walls, etc.- that was to be expected. I opened the next at 100 miles and the third at 500 miles. The second still had a few flecks but since then the elements have become much cleaner with each filter change. Opening them is a little messy and probably not necessary now but it's nice to see exactly what is being filtered. And it is nothing like washing out the old felt filter!
A New Purpose-Built Filter Housing may be
in the works. This would eliminate the need for the blanking plate used behind the Metro-type housings. I'll report more on that when I have definite information on availability and source.
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