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Spin-on filter -getting old gasket out & other Q's

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MrPandy

MrPandy

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So, I've finally gotten around to installing my spin-on oil filter. First problem - I couldn't get the old filter cover out of the car. Wouldn't go up, wouldn't fall down. I ended up jacking the engine up, unbolting the motor mounts, removing the coil, and pulling it out where the coil goes. I know others can just pull it out, but I had nowhere near enough room. It may be related that I also have the problem with no room to take off the fan belt. The pulley is verrry close to the frame support. I remember reading about loosening the transmission mount and sliding the engine back, but it is already very close to the firewall. If I unbolt the support in front of the engine and change the belt, will I have a problem reinstalling the support?

Anyway, the real question is - how can I get the old gasket out so I can install the spin-on filter adapter with a new gasket? Using a mirror, I can see the old gasket, but I don't want to dig in there too hard and rough things up, so how does it come out? Also, I understand that the goal is to have the spin-on pointing downward, but how much of an angle can I mount it at without worrying about causing damage at startup?

Thanks!
 
Re: Spin-on filter -getting old gasket out & other

Hey Andy,
If you see that your engine seems to be too close to the firewall, then perhaps the engine is too high to begin with. There are slotted holes in the front two engine mounts that allow for some up and down movement. When you slide the whole engine backward by loosening the rear tranny mount (also has slotted holes for fore and aft movement), you can simutaneously drop the engine down. This whole project is really no biggie. Support the weight of the engine on a floor jack with wheels and use a pry bar to pry the engine back. You only need maybe a 1/4" or so. You can lower the whole engine unit at this time on the mounts. This might be a great time to inspect your mounts and change them if they are really old. TRF makes a super quality mount, the only one of this quality on the market. (I tried the others and had them fail in 2 years). There should be no reason whatsoever for you to remove the frame crossbar to change a fan belt. Could you imagine this happening on the road? (If you choose to do it just this one time to get a new belt on, for now, the cross bar goes back on easily, sometimes needs a hammer to persuade it.)

My spin on filter housing is at about a 45 degree angle. Not a problem.

Oh, and remember, your driveshaft is splinned so there is no reason to be concerned about jambing anything when you drive the engine back.


Bill
 
Andy,
You could have removed the canister without so much effort. I removed my oil sending unit then used a 2 foot long 2X2 as a lever to push the steering shaft toward the engine. You only need to deflect it enough to allow the canister to pass between it and the lower edge of the inner fender. The shaft is flexible enough to deflect without harming anything.
The old gasket is annoying. I used a dental pick. It's tough to get a "grip" on the seal without having it start to rotate in the groove. You may want to try getting at it from underneath. If you can get both hands in there you can pin it in place with one pointed tool and use a second pointed tool to stick it and move it toward the first tool. This will get it to start lifting out of the groove. I did mine from above.
The angle of the filter should be enough to clear the clutch slave cylinder and the frame rail to allow for movement of the engine without contacting either.
I haven't changed a fan belt on a TR6 in decades. I'm not sure there is an easy way to do so. I think jacking the engine is one way to gain clearance.
 
Not being able to get the fan belt between the fan extension and the cross member is also a common sign of worn motor mounts. If you haven't put it all back together yet, then you are already on the way to replace the motor mounts. If your front mounts are shotm then the rear is probably in bad shape too. Especially if oil gets blown back onto it.
 
Thanks for the replies, folks! I just put in the motor mounts two months ago, so I can cross that off the list. The old ones didn't look too bad, and the new ones seemed to locate the engine in the same place. I'll try to get a look at the transmission mount.

Where's a good place to get dental picks (besides at the dentist)?
 
Update - I bought a set of four picks at Sears (which is a hard thing for this former Montgomery Ward employee to do, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do). Less than two minutes after opening the package, the gasket was out!

Thanks to all.
 
Yep, sometimes the right tool really can make a difference. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
tdskip - unfortunately, my digital camera has taken a walk, so I can't post any pics. Besides, I would be embarrassed to have anyone see my engine bay after some of the pics of beautifully restored ones I've seen here lately. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Spin-on filter -getting old gasket out & other

Andy, it can't be worse then my engine bay!

Are you a member of TRAC? If so, we'll have to compare our nasty engine bays at a tech session or meeting sometime. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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