Building a new in-line Transmission Filter...

[SuperDave456]

I currently have a B&M full flow filter that takes a single FL1A sized filter on my F-150. It seems to be working well. It adds capacity and some cooling in addition to the coolant loop that already exists.

I've been thinking awhile about this, and I am thinking about doing something similar on my 2002 Ford Taurus. However, since this car sees the vast majority of the miles we drive, I am thinking about going... bigger.

I do belong to this site for a reason, and the more I tinker with my Taurus the more room I find to hang stuff. Just that I am seeing that going bigger won't cost that much more, and...well... this site is about overkill.

I can either get the same B&M filter setup, the one that takes FL1A filters... and I could hunt down the foot long filters that are the same thread size and diameter, but hold around 2 quarts. Which would be great for long ATF drain intervals.

However, I am thinking about going larger.
There are other filter adapters out there also. Those that have a 2" threaded portion for relocating Diesel oil filters, and those that can hold 2 FL1A sized filters that are sold through Amazon.

I'm kind of thinking about going with the large Diesel oil filter attachment with the larger filters.

Living in Texas and using synthetic fluids I'm not worried about over cooling. I plan on keeping this assembly tucked out of the way so that nothing can strike it and it won't have that much of a breeze over it during movement.

I've been running Magnefine's on several cars I normally work on and flaring steel tube (using the correct double flare tool) and running extra line is now quite easy.

I figure that this will be several steps up and will increase the longevity of my transmission and be a fun project.

What are your thoughts?
Any other sources you can think of?

 

[Smokescreen]

I use a Transdapt inline filter mount on the Suburban...its pretty much the same thing, maybe less $$. I too love these setups, makes 1/2 capacity drains a piece of cake, I mounted mine right below the engine fan so it gets constant airflow, my ATF has always looked new and shifted like new. I use regular DEX3 ATF though.

 

[SuperDave456]

Found this link to an earlier conversation.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/344885/

Seems like in order to go CRAZY HUGE I'm going to drop around $100-120 for the adapter. But that is only if I get the Diesel filters with the 2 1/4"-12 threaded adapters. The filters for those things run about $56 from what I see online.

Better than a transmission rebuild. And I would think that the first filter would be the last filter needed for that transmission.
But I'm not doing this to be normal... need to keep shopping.

 

[MonumentOiler]

SuperDave - I hate to put a "discouraging word" out on a worthy over the top project but if you are concerned about reaching the capacity of the filter over your long drains the best solution would be to change the filter.

That's the point of installing a spin on type filter in the first place.

I think you need to look into a homebrew bypass system. Go for more filtration quality rather than quantity.

Using an Amsoil AeO filter the same size as the FL1A would clean your fluid right up.

The standard bases that you can pick up at Northern Tool can run a hydraulic fluid filter and are only around $13.

 

[SuperDave456]

Ahh, Northern tool... now there is a solution.

Nope, no problem with the "discouraging word". That's why I post here.

So that I have at least some supervision.

Afterall... Inside every grown man there is a 12 year old just waiting to come out.
This is one of those times.

 

[rslifkin]

I would just go for the dual FL-1A type mount. Readily available, etc, and should have more than enough capacity.

 

[Ken2]

I'd suggest a filter element made for hydraulic oil rather than one for engine oil. If your local parts store will let you look into their big WIX or Baldwin filter book, you'll be able to match the filter thread, gasket diameter, and filter external dimensions to your job, and find a hydraulic element that works.

 

[SuperDave456]

I went and looked at Harbor Freight.

They have some big Hydraulic Filter supplies, but man, doing the plumbing on that will be a bear. Necking the 1 1/2 inch inlets down to the 3/8" barbs that I will need will be rediclious, And there is no good way to mount them. The filter mount takes bolts down into threaded portions of their aluminum mounts. That worries me because the filter it holds is huge. Weight and vibration plus time is not a good thing for aluminum with brass plumbing.

BTW, they are HUGE. Did I mention that? I'm talking the filter has a diameter of 7-8 inches and the length of 10 inches. The threaded portion of the filter is something like 2 1/4" across and with it holding probably 2 quarts of fluid... geez that thing would need some space and a very secure mount.
Just don't know how to rig that up with what space I have.

It was on sale. Originally $39 bucks it is now $14 with the filter included, but I wouldn't know what to do with it. I wanted it, but I just don't know what for.

Thinking about going with the FL1A style B&M mount that can be found on Amazon just do to the fact that it comes with all the plumbing, that and as mentioned I can search at the parts store and here online for the larger Hydraulic filters with the same threads.
Sure, the hydraulic filters I found were $50 each or greater for that thread size, but I can find them online.

Don't know of a supplier other than Harbor Freight where I would find those spin on buckets they called filters.

 

[mechtech2]

I would go parallel to reduce restriction.
Use two set ups.
This seems best to me.

The filtration is not the key with ATF, it is the HEAT control.
Keep her around 175 deg F for the longest life. Remember too cold is also not best for life and wear!

 

[SuperDave456]

Trying to figure out large FL1A style filters.

Anyone know of a source for large hydraulic/oil filters with 3/4-16 threads?

 

[EricF]

do a searchon BITOG, there's several articles with the larger FL-1A style filters.

 

[onion]

If you can find a filter base that accommodates an oil filter for a small-block chevy, you can use the filter for a Duramax diesel on it (AC2232 I THINK, but you might want to verify that). The advantage of this filter is that it's bigger and has an internal bypass for peace of mind. The filter is pretty big- about the same diameter as an FL-1A, but longer. I doubt it will ever clog, but it's nice to know that flow won't be completely cut off if it does.

I run this setup on my '01 Lumina, using a filter base that I made at work because I was bored. But this is such a common filter size that I imagine a base should be easy enough to find.

FWIW, I've had this filter setup on the car since I bought it at 159,000 miles. It's now at 229,000 miles and hasn't had a transmission problem yet.