Oil Filter Orientation, Horizontal vs Vertical

[racerbuff]

Thought this was an easy question, but after hours of internet searching, zip....so asking the Apex Speed community.

Is there any reason to choose Horizontal over Vertical orientation of a remote Oil Filter. My Crossle 32F came with a horizontal configuration, but thinking vertical would make more sense when changing filters. The only thing I can think is that the horizontal mount allowed the lowest possible placement, not sure why this would matter???

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Buff

[DanW]

My Crossle is horizontal as well. I think the best method is the filter vertical with the filter holder on top. The filter is almost completely self venting and always has most its oil when the engine is stopped.

[DaveW]

Mine is horizontal - once the system is primed (pressure seen on gauge) orientation usually makes little difference unless the filter is mounted higher than the rest of the oil supply system. Photo below:

[racerbuff]

Dan, Dave,

Thanks for your fast responses, along with a few locals, so far Horizontal is batting 1000.
Guess I will keep it simple and stick with what works,

[EricP]

...I have found one of these flexible funnels useful for draining things that have awkward access/no room for traditional catch:

https://www.amazon.com/Holtrent-Flex...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[problemchild]

In a perfect world it would be accessible and vertical, spinning off down, so you could change the filter with minimal mess, and reinstall it full of clean oil. Being accessible can conflict with being in the way, or being exposed when on track, and oil lines may need more fittings, or more restrictive fittings. I would still strive for vertical, spinning off down, if I could.

[DaveW]

In a perfect world it would be accessible and vertical, spinning off down, so you could change the filter with minimal mess, and reinstall it full of clean oil. Being accessible can conflict with being in the way, or being exposed when on track, and oil lines may need more fittings, or more restrictive fittings. I would still strive for vertical, spinning off down, if I could.

I agree. It's nice to be able to pre-fill and to remove the filter w/o making a mess. Luckily, when my undertray is off (after almost every race weekend for inspection and gear change), there's nothing under my filter, so I can drain into a drain pan when I pull the filter. Pre-filling is not an issue, since I always prime the system and get oil pressure before starting the engine.

[FASTDAD]

Don't mean to hijack the thread. Dave, I am curious about the two oil coolers, reason behind them, and how they're plumbed. Thanks

[DaveW]

Don't mean to hijack the thread. Dave, I am curious about the two oil coolers, reason behind them, and how they're plumbed. Thanks

That's a good question which I thought about for quite a while before installing the air-oil cooler in that orientation.

The long horizontal oil/water heat exchanger is obvious - to quickly get the oil up to temperature and then do most of the oil-temperature control when things are hot (that was the way Citation - Steve L. - installed it when we went from Pinto to Zetec). The water enters directly from the engine and the exchanger is between the pressure side of the oil pump and the oil filter.

The little oil/air cooler in the return from the pan to the tank on the air exit side of the radiator serves 2 purposes:
1. Since I'm running a 0W30 synthetic, I wanted a little more cooling when things get hot (provides a bit more hot oil pressure), and
2. Even though there is a good de-aeration setup in the tank (2 gently sloping surfaces that the inbound oil runs down before it is in the reservoir area), it provides more de-aeration before the oil goes to the tank. The oil enters it at the bottom from the scavenge pump and exits at the top, giving the oil another good chance to separate from the air.

[FASTDAD]

Thanks for the explanation. Nice clean setup.

[Rick Iverson]

Dave;

Is that an additional oil cooler mounted on the backside of the engine coolant radiator?

Mine is horizontal - once the system is primed (pressure seen on gauge) orientation usually makes little difference unless the filter is mounted higher than the rest of the oil supply system. Photo below:

[DaveW]

Dave;

Is that an additional oil cooler mounted on the backside of the engine coolant radiator?

See post # 9 - I explain it all there.

[Rick Iverson]

See post # 9 - I explain it all there.

Dave;

I am such a silly goose, my bad. Might I trouble you for the schematic of your oil/cooling system, please?

[DaveW]

Dave;

I am such a silly goose, my bad. Might I trouble you for the schematic of your oil/cooling system, please?

I'll sketch it up, scan it, and post it in this thread.

[DaveW]

Dave;

I am such a silly goose, my bad. Might I trouble you for the schematic of your oil/cooling system, please?

I'll sketch it up, scan it, and post it in this thread.

Crude 5-minute sketch below:

[J Leonard]

Is there a screen on your scavenge / oil pickup in your oil pan?

[DaveW]

Is there a screen on your scavenge / oil pickup in your oil pan?

I assume there is. QS built and rebuilds my engine that I've had since 2007 and I've never had the pan off myself. They wouldn't have left that out.

[Lotus7]

2. Even though there is a good de-aeration setup in the tank (2 gently sloping surfaces that the inbound oil runs down before it is in the reservoir area), it provides more de-aeration before the oil goes to the tank. The oil enters it at the bottom from the scavenge pump and exits at the top, giving the oil another good chance to separate from the air.

While true that the cooler helps de-aerate the oil, the downside is that the cooler will be less efficient at actual cooling if the oil is aerated than it would be if on the pressure side. Nothing that proper sizing can't take care of though.

[problemchild]

Just some general info to stir the pot. On our F1600 Mygales, a fairly large oil cooler on the return line to the tank top lowers the oil temp virtually not at all, even with big scoops or no scoop. The same cooler, in a poor location in the pressure line will lower OT by 30 degrees That is measuring OT as the oil re-enters the engine, which really is the only place that matters.

[DaveW]

While true that the cooler helps de-aerate the oil, the downside is that the cooler will be less efficient at actual cooling if the oil is aerated than it would be if on the pressure side. Nothing that proper sizing can't take care of though.

That's why it's oriented with its flow upward through the cooler. It allows the air to separate somewhat on the way up, allowing the oil to transfer more heat than if it flowed downward or horizontally. Also, the oil entering the cooler is the hottest it will ever be, having just exited the pan.

I do agree though, that pressurized, non-aerated, oil will obviously transfer the most heat, everything else being equal.

The cooler location was a result of several factors:
1. finding a suitable place where it would fit inside the bodywork and plumbing it would be simple
2. not blocking cool airflow to the radiator
3. not over-cooling the oil in cold weather
4. trying to cool the oil at its hottest point
5. keeping the added weight low.

[Rick Iverson]

Crude 5-minute sketch below:

You are the greatest. Tusen takk.