340 Block 90 Deg Oil Filter adapter.

[Mike73Dodge]

I have a modified 340 with the 90 deg oil filter adapter. It was leaking from under the head of the main bolt. After disassembly I am really not impressed with the design of the whole setup. I am thinking of doing some custom machining of the parts and maybe creating some special bushings to better the design. Has anyone done any custom machining on these parts that prevents leaks?

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I have had the same problem getting them to seal after removing them but I have not machined better parts , I bet it would help a lot of people !

 

[AUSTA]

Another problem with the design if you don't fit the wide cork gasket on the centre bolt instead of all the oil going through the filter some it blows back & circulates around the engine without being filtered

 

[Mike73Dodge]

Continuing story.
I disassembled all the parts. Did not find any indication that the inner gasket had been installed. Also due to the ID of copper washer under the head of the bolt, the rubber O-ring was pinched or not evenly seated around the diameter of the bolt. Also found uneven surfaces on the Aluminum angle fitting where at the filter seal interface and the large diameter block seal interface.

 

[Mike73Dodge]

I machined a larger bore in the outboard end of the housing. This is for the O-Ring to seat down into. Also machined a small brass bushing to press fit against the Bolt OD and the new housing ID to compress and hold the O-Ring in place. Cleaned up the bolt and machined a small groove for a second O-Ring lower down the bolt to prevent by pass back into the low pressure side of the housing.
Here is what the new machined parts look like.

Question: Has anyone seen this type of thing before and what's your opinion of this "fix"?

 

[Challenger RTA]

Had the same problem.have a hi volume pump.primed motor with drill.oil leaked from gasket.ended up using Permatex black RTV with gasket.Let cure over night.Fixed it. Note I think I used a nylon washer to back up the cork bolt washer.the wasker was in the engin gasket kit. It never fails do a crap job and it last forever,try to do a nice job and looks like crap.

 

[Mike73Dodge]

It sounds like your leaks were mostly around the large diameter gasket between the block and the fitting. Mine was leaking more from under the bolt head. Also didn't find the thicker bolt washer installed at all. Trying to fix both leak paths with O-Rings on the bolt above and below the cross holes in the bolt. Then back that up with the washer under the bolt head and the bold gasket between the fitting and the block.

 

[Steve340]

I just left it standard machining wise but used a Dowty washer. No leaks at all.
Your machining work looks very nice.