Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1957 235cuin oil filter, oil pressure gauge, cannister filter

Question
I have just acquired a 57 Chevy 3100 pick-up with a 235 cuin motor with 36,000 original miles on it. I have a cannister filter for it, but haven't got a clue how to plumb it into the motor. Can you help me.  Thanks

Answer
The filter is supplied with oil from the same fitting that now has the oil pressure gauge sender.  You have to install a "TEE" in the line, and hook up the filter inlet to that point. It is important that you also install a restrictive orifice in the "TEE" so that you don't get too much pressure and volume flowing through the filter - that would greatly reduce your oil pressure in the engine, and could lead to serious damage to your bearings.   Use a fitting with a 0.070" hole for oil passage.  If you cannot find such a fitting, fill a standard fitting with solder and then drill a 0.070" hole in the solder to restrict the flow.   The outlet line from the oil filter can go to any place on the engine which will drain back into the oil pan.  If I recall correctly, there is a brass plug on the left front of the engine block that is there for that purpose. If you can find another 235 with the accessory oil filter installed, take some pictures of it so you can see where the bracket and the fittings are.  These were common accessories on cars, but seldom seen on trucks.  The engines are the same, regardless of year or model - just go to a car show, find a Chevy of the 50s with the 235 6 cylinder motor, and ask to see the engine.  Chances are it will have the filter.

These filters are "bypass" filters - they only process about 6% of the oil, but they do help some to keep the grit out of the engine.  They are not nearly as effective as the modern full flow filters, but it's about all you can do for filtering because these engines were not set up for full flow filtering.  

It's probably more beneficial to change the oil very frequently (every 1000 miles at least) than to bother with the filter, frankly.

It's a great truck, by the way.  I drove my 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup with a later model 235 6 cylinder engine from 1975 to 1994 - and yes, I had a filter on it!


Dick