oil filter

[saladbar]

My 1953 lark did not have oil filter. Can I install a filter kit ? any one have part numbers that are available ?  Thanks John

[Fid]

I'll re-iterate my thoughts on oil filters on the flat head 226 and 161 engines.  The oil filters on these engines are simply by-pass filters that oil gets sloshed into. They are not part of the oil circulating path and therefore are very inefficient and add almost no value.  What they do add are more points to leak and fail and having to find expensive cartridges that are messy and a pain to clean.  Change your oil every 1,000 miles and you'll never have a problem.

[r1lark]

Fid, what do you mean that the oil gets "sloshed into" these filters?

Similar ones that I am familiar with (on Studebakers) hook up to one of the oil gallerys (passages), and have a restricted fitting (orifice) that controls the flow so the overall oil pressure is not impacted (or impacted very slightly). But it is still a pressurized flow of oil.

How do the K-F filters operate?

[Fid]

It's an oil line that runs parallel  to the oil gallery. Whatever oil goes into it just does. It's not part of the flow path, it's off to the side. Very inefficient and does very little.

We've discussed the KF oil filters on this forum a number of times.
Here are some of those from the past -

http://kfclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,7819.msg36851.html#msg36851

http://kfclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,7918.msg37067.html#msg37067

Interesting topic that's for sure.

[bobz]

The parts list shows the part number for the oil filter kit for the '53 Lark as 94312.   If after reading the comments you are still interested in installing this kit I have one NOS.   My '53 Lark has one installed so I won't be needing it.

[WillysTom1]

  Just had my 226 rebuilt and this week I should be dumping the 30wt non detergent after the first 500 miles which I ran in town and about half at 50 MPH on  the highway. I have only lost about a half of pint of oil so far. I plan on changing the filter element and pour in another round of 30 wt non-detergent for the next 1,000 miles and keep it under 55 MPH for 500 then up to 60 after that. 
   I have not made up my mind yet as to what oil to use after that next 1,000 miles. Either the 30wt non detergent with a pint of Lucas and a zinc additive, or Valvoline 20w50 that already has the zinc in it along with a pint of Lucas.  I am considering removing the filter system once I use up the last two filter elements that I have.  I plan on changing oil once a year probably under a 1,000 miles anyway.

[Terry T]

Why non-detergent?

[joefrazer]

Since your engine has been rebuilt, you don't need to use non-detergent oil. It's use in an old engine helps prevent sludge from being dislodged and plugging oil galleries. With a fresh engine that should be a problem.

Quaker State oils currently have the highest zinc content so that seems to be the oil of choice for many with older engines. That's what I use.

[WillysTom1]

   Since the filtering system is so inefficient, wouldn't detergent oil hold contaminates in suspension and be circulating through the engine all of the time?