Mid 1950's Oil Filter

[Bill Balkie 24172]

I am asking these question on this subject to understand more about the oil filters on the 1950's Cadillacs . How efficient is this oil filter system ? How does the oil get pumped up to the top of the canister ? Does it feed back by Gravity or pressure ? When a car is sitting for a day or so ,should there be oil in the canister when opened  or should it be empty because it feed back into the crankcase ? I am asking this question because the inlet tube is so small it make me wonder how efficient it can really be . How can one be sure if it is even working ?

  Thanks,
       Bill

[D.Yaros]

I cannot answer too many of your questions, except the one about it being empty or full.  No matter how long the car sits, the canister should remain full.

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello D.
   i would think that the oil would drain back ito the block when the car is sitting idle .

  Bill

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Hi Bill:

This system was not designed to be a "full flow" type like those in modern
cars.  At any given time, perhaps 10-20% of the oil is being filtered.  The
theory was that eventually most all of the oil would be filtered in time.  I
don't know what the theoretical cycle time was for a 100% exchange.

By today's standards, it was not very good but much better than having
no filter at all as the earlier cars did.

I know that much of the oil does not drain back into the crankcase, as you'll
find out when you go to change the filter.  You'll have to use a few old
rags to clean up the mess and wipe out the oil canister.

Mike

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello Mike ,
I had a 1957 Seville for about 5 years before i purchased the Biarritz . As i recall the canister on the Seville always was just about full when i would change the filter . On the biarritz it is only about 1/4 filled when i changed the filter . I am not sure what is correct . Or does it make a difference or should i look into it a litthe deeper ? Just a little concerned .

  Bill

[Roger Zimmermann]

Maybe the oil lines are not correctly installed. On my two '56 cars, the oil filter is always full when I open it. If I recall correctly, there is a small hole on side of the tube located in the middle of the camnister. That hole is drilled  at about 1.5-2" from the top of the tube; this is the return. The return line is going from the bottom of the canister to a fitting located at the front of the engine, almost behind the water pump.
The oil is coming from the other line to the canister, entering almost at the top. The oil get filtered from the outside to the inside of the filter, allowing the dirt to get down the canister.

To know which line has the oil pressure in case you're still unsure, disconnect both at the canister and, with an helper, start the engine for a very short time. Don't forget to use rags to avoid the mess!

[Bill Balkie 24172]

Hello Roger,
  both lines are very small about 1/8 inch  the inlet feeds at the top and the return at the very bottom of the canister , both lines come out of the block in the front of the engine ( Drivers Side )  What keeps that oil from draining  back into the block when the car is idle for a day or two .

  Bill

[D.Yaros]

Hello D.
   i would think that the oil would drain back ito the block when the car is sitting idle .

  Bill

It does not, and is not supposed to, drain out.  In fact the service manual tells you to be sure to remove the oil in the canister when changing the filter.

[Roger Zimmermann]

both lines come out of the block in the front of the engine ( Drivers Side )
  Bill

Yes Bill both are in the front, but not at the same place! the return is on the same suface that the water pump/chamshaft chain. The pressure line is located on the top of the engine, near the intake manifold. All that from memory, my cars are at 10 miles from home. And yes, the lines have a very small diameter.