Coolant filter install idea...seeking yer thoughts...

[riotwarrior]

Had a thought about this coolant filter I'm going to install.

I have read the tech article here
http://www.oilburners.net/articles/coolfilter1.html

And this page here is the important one for me...

I was thinking...T into the line from the block to the heater core with a T and ball valve for shut off.

Then return line from the filter with small ball valve again, down to the bung fitting on the Champion radiator I'll be getting....Thus a bypass setup...

Whatcha all think of this idea?

I think it's a simple clean method to plumb the system and I'll be placing my filter in very similar / same location as in the article FYI

 

[yARIC008]

Do you shut off your heater core in the summer to make your A/C colder? If you don't then I would suggest making it even simpler and put the filter in series with the heater core. If you do shut the core off in the summer then as you say is best except with one extra valve. You would install a valve on the downstream side of your tee and shut off the heater core and still filter your coolant.

Personally me I haven't been able to really tell any difference in A/C temps with the core shut off in the summer. I think it's best to circulate coolant in it as much as possible to keep any corrosion from attacking the core. However, it's probably minimal anyways as the coolant has so many corrosion inhibitors in it anyways.

 

[riotwarrior]

Do you shut off your heater core in the summer to make your A/C colder? If you don't then I would suggest making it even simpler and put the filter in series with the heater core. If you do shut the core off in the summer then as you say is best except with one extra valve. You would install a valve on the downstream side of your tee and shut off the heater core and still filter your coolant.

Personally me I haven't been able to really tell any difference in A/C temps with the core shut off in the summer. I think it's best to circulate coolant in it as much as possible to keep any corrosion from attacking the core. However, it's probably minimal anyways as the coolant has so many corrosion inhibitors in it anyways.

The AC coolant shut off that people install from a Ranger, only activates on MAX Air...and at no other time that I'm aware of. As of this time I do not have AC though that's in the planning stages because I removed an AC system from another truck.

 

[idi_econoline]

Hmm, the instructions with the NAPA head say to keep the return line as short as possible, Al. So I don't know if your return line idea would work so well, though I like it.

I'm also intrigued by the idea of putting the filter in series, yARIC008. But how restrictive would this be on the coolant flow?

My filter head's still in the box, so I'm curious about where this tread goes...... short hoses on this system still looks unlikely with the engine compartment of my E.....

 

[War Wagon]

I would like to put one below on my frame to keep the engine bay from becoming cluttered. Can the filter go in and out of the oil cooler or near by there. I have not looked that close, but i thought someone on here had done it that way.

 

[riotwarrior]

I would like to put one below on my frame to keep the engine bay from becoming cluttered. Can the filter go in and out of the oil cooler or near by there. I have not looked that close, but i thought someone on here had done it that way.

That I am aware of, no this won't work, I am unsure though I don't believe there are coolant ports to tap into to accomplish this method.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

There is a port on the cooler to drain it. Maybe return to a block drain?

 

[Jake_IN]

I would like to put one below on my frame to keep the engine bay from becoming cluttered.

Thats where i mounted mine. Except i ran the hoses back up to the heater core lines. It'a a pretty nice clean setup actually. I also choose this spot because there are two holes in the frame rail already so i didn't have to drill into the frame.

You must be registered for see images

And before anyone says anything. The plastic valves have been replaced with brass ball valves. Those are just what i had lying around when i installed it. Also for those concerned about how low the filter sits. It actually sits higher than the leaf spring mount so the mount pretty much blocks it from any thing hitting it. Even though im not really concerned with anything hitting it.

 

[WhiskeyBottle2]

Hmm, the instructions with the NAPA head say to keep the return line as short as possible, Al. So I don't know if your return line idea would work so well, though I like it.

I'm also intrigued by the idea of putting the filter in series, yARIC008. But how restrictive would this be on the coolant flow?

My filter head's still in the box, so I'm curious about where this tread goes...... short hoses on this system still looks unlikely with the engine compartment of my E.....

I would NOT hook up a coolant filter in SERIES...If the filter gets plugged up you will lose flow and possibly overheat...That's why the set-up is called a by-pass set-up...to by-pass the filter if it gets plugged so you still have coolant flow...A good by-pass coolant filter set-up is designed to only filter a small...say 10% of the coolant every complete coolant cycle...So, if 10% it would take in theory 10 coolant flow cycles to filter all of it which in reality doesn't take all that long of time...The key is it is constantly filtering as the t-stat opens and closes...

 

[hesutton]

Yup, in series is a bad idea. Got both my IDI's set up with a coolant filter....... both as a bypass filter. They work great and catch a surprising amount of garbage. Plus, I use filters precharged with DCA 4 to keep cavitation at bay.

They are plumbed into the heat core hoses with "Y" fittings.

Will post up some photos in a second.

Heath

 

[hesutton]

Hope these are the correct pictures........ Can't view webshots photos at the hospital..... stupid IT rules about "social" websites or some crap. I'll edit if needed once I get back to the office.

Here goes nothing.............. Coolant filter photos below (I think).

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

Heath

 

[riotwarrior]

Jake, thanks for that photo, I myself won't be installing a filter in a location like that. I plan on having the battery box there!

Heath,

Thanks for you photos, those give me an idea too, for mounting the filter where you chose.

I'm still leaning to tap into the heater core feed line, and use the Champion lower rad tank bung as the return port.

However I'm also looking at installing a circulating heater for winter as an addition to the block heater, I'd tap into a block port, where I placed my petcock and then circulate up into the block via a port in either the head or some location. At this time, I'm uncertain where, space is limited in the engine compartment and the heater needs to mount low so flow goes into it and then up to block.

For now, my focus is the filter so lets stay on topic please everyone, myself included!

 

[icanfixall]

Thanks for the pics Heath... Was that a patient you got some photos of...



Jus kidding you a bit seeing you can't actually see what you posted for the hospital... You found a nice location to hang the filter too. I like it but can't use that place on my rig. I have the fender solenoid in that location...

 

[riotwarrior]

l... You found a nice location to hang the filter too. I like it but can't use that place on my rig. I have the fender solenoid in that location...

RELOCATION RELOCATION RELOCATION.....

 

[hesutton]

RELOCATION RELOCATION RELOCATION.....

Yup, I moved it to the fender well near the starter solenoid. Made a plate to bolt to the fender and then bolted the filter head to that.

Heath