[MarkSF]

Hello,

I have a Universal 5424, which is the Kubota D1101 block.

The access to the oil filter on my Bristol is very restricted, and every winter it's a struggle to change it - yesterday was no exception! I always end up with my arms looking like I've been in a fight with a tiger.

So I was thinking, how about installing a remote filter kit? Has anyone done this on their sailboat?

Especially interested if you've done it to a Universal 5416 or 5424.

Where does one get the parts?
Any considerations in terms of height and orientation?

 

[captjcook]

A friend of mine has a remote filter on a new Beta 38. It is mounted at least 6" above the engine, in a "gentlemenly position". I believe his was an option from Beta. Summit racing and jeg's have kits...

 

[djodenda]

Is it getting the filter on or off? There are some tricks to putting them back on, that I acquired after a few painful sessions as you described above

 

[Maine Sail]

A remote oil filter is one of the best upgrades I've done. I use Parker PUSH-LOK PLUS hydraulic hose & fittings rated at 300PSI, a bit over kill, but all in all not that expensive. My local Parker Store is a great resource..

In addition to the engine take-off adapter you may also be able to up the physical oil filter size by using a different size remote filter head than your engine adapter. I did this on our boat and the oil not only has more capacity, hoses and a much larger filter, but stays cleaner considerably longer. I use Wix (NAPA GOLD 51515), Baldwin (B2 or B2-HPG) or Donaldson (P169071) filters on my remote mount and it is a standard Ford FL-1A mount.

You will need three things for the engine take off adapter:

#1 - The thread and pitch

#2 - The o-ring diameter of the adapter and an 0-ring landing area dimension for the engine.

#3 - 1/2" NPT apter head & remote head not 3/8".

Calipers are easier but were not as easy to photograph:

Many of the Kubota's can use a typical Fram 3593A filter. Honda cars use this size too and a remote take-off for a Honda will often work. Be sure to physically measure the filter landing width where the gasket will hit and compare this to actual take-offs. You have two choices in take-offs, billet machined or cast. Billet is more expensive but either will work fine....

Here is a shot with the parts. Note the size difference between the factory filter and the new remote filter.

I mounted the remote filter head with Weld-Mount studs...

I would urge avoiding the Derale oil take offs as the machining is poor and the threaded adapter will bottom out before the o-ring seals.

You will need to do your homework on your engines OEM filter to find an "equivalent" or better filter for the remote. Filter manufacturers don't make this easy! By far this will take the most time IF you intend on upping the size of your remote filter. I prefer going larger as it yields more oil capacity, more filtration media and often less head pressure than a smaller filter.

FWIW the orange Fram filters, designated by a "PH" in front of the number, eg: PH3593A, are a very low quality filter, in my experience.

The orange Fram PH filters are the only filters I have ever had more than one of "drain back," even though it is equipped with an anti-drainback valve. Draining back means no oil in the filter at start up!

After my third or fourth customer with an empty horizontal Fram PH filter I called Fram and was told "Not surprising that is a cheap anti-drainback valve. You are best to go up to our TG or Tough Guard series or better.". Problem is I pay much less for a premium Wix, Baldwin or Donaldson filter than I do for a Fram TG series.

 

[MarkSF]

Thanks for the info, great stuff!

I've been using Wix for all my filters, for cars and the boat, for years, and the quality is consistently good, especially considering the price.

I get them mail order through the truck type places. Quantity 3 of both fuel filters, and my oil filter, 9 filters altogether, just cost me $49.50, including shipping, from fleetfilter.com.

If you need one quickly, I found that my local O Reilley, though it has Fram on display, has Wix in stock behind the counter.

 

[SVTatia]

Maine Sail

Thanks for another excellent write up.
I was looking at the Derale relocation kits (Relocation Kits), but since there is a drawback as you mentioned, do you have a source for separate engine take-off /spin-off adapters and filter landing? I can get the hoses locally.
I have a smaller engine than yours - Westerbeke 30B3, how do I determine the best size when increasing the filter size without compromising the oil pump?
I can measure and find the proper engine take-off size, but not sure how to go about picking a new filter size.

My second inquiry is about the weld mount studs: are they mounted on fiberglass? Did you sand the surface and do you trust its hold? (of course you do, but I just thought I ask).

 

[SloopJonB]

Another upgrade you can do with remote filtering is to get a double filter bracket instead of a single. One of those with those long "truck" filter elements would just about triple the oil capacity of my 2GMF.

 

[Sail'n Steve]

Maine Sail: Are you able to provide the parts number/where to order the oil take-offs and the filter mount you went with? I would love to do this upgrade to my 1990 Catalina 34 with a Universal M30 engine for all the reasons you've cited.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Maine Sail]

Maine Sail: Are you able to provide the parts number/where to order the oil take-offs and the filter mount you went with? I would love to do this upgrade to my 1990 Catalina 34 with a Universal M30 engine for all the reasons you've cited.

Thanks,
Steve

As I suggested you will need to do your own homework for your own engine. If you want a cookie-cutter solution you can pay Westerbeke $700.00 +/- for their kit or you can take some measurements and let your fingers do some google work.

 

[capt jgwinks]

Best part is you can mount the filter right side up so you don't spill a pint of oil into the bilge at every oil change. My OF is real ready to get to but I'm considering the remote kit just for that reason. I'll probably stay with the 3593A type as it's about the most commonly used filter out there and you can get them anywhere cheap. My last three cars have all used it. And yes, the PH series are junk, I use the TG if I go with Fram at all. Depends on where I buy them.