TO-20 Oil Pan/Filter Questions...

Tom Bowman · Nov 9, 2013

Reinstalling the oil pan and filter on the TO-20 today raised a number of questions:

1. I was cleaning the oil pan bolt holes in the bottom of the block, and pulled out what I thought was a piece of crud from one of the rear bolt holes.

I kept pulling, and got this:

What is it? How do I put it back?

2. Is the oil filter supposed to fit all the way over the supply tube? Or, in other words, is the tube supposed to go all the way through the oil filter, before the cover/bolt are installed?

Mine doesn't - the oil filter bottoms out on the top of the screen, before it fits all the way over the tube.

When I removed the oil pan/filter, I found that a previous owner had installed the screen and screen cover upside down. (There was also no spring.)

3. What is the proper torque for the oil pan bolts? I was just snugging them down with a small ratchet, and managed to twist one off.

I'm going to get all new bolts, after I get the broken one out.

2tractors · Nov 9, 2013

That looks a lot like one of the 2 rope seals that go along each side of the rear main to keep the oil from leaking into the clutch area.Probably would not do any good to re install the old one, I found my rope seal on ebay and it has to be packed very tight. There"s pics on here of the packing and canister installation, just type rope seal in the search column.

Bruce(OR) · Nov 9, 2013

The overhaul kit I got from this site came with what seemed an unbelievable amount of "rope" for the seal. I was advised (John UK) that it all had to go in for proper installation and could not be cut short.
In had a fun time with a punch, as I remember, stuffing the rope into place. No leaks as of 80 hours later.

Jason S. · Nov 10, 2013

I agree that is some of the old rope packing. How it ended up in the block along the oil pan rail I'm not sure though. Must of been from a previous owner and repair. Yes the oil pipe should go all the way thru the filter. What brand of filter are you using?

Tom Bowman · Nov 10, 2013

Thanks, all.

Jason, I have both a Baldwin P40 and a WIX 51010, and they both fit the same way.

On closer inspection, I think the oil supply tube has been
"farmerized", as there's an extra washer brazed on the tube that doesn't look like it belongs there.

It's keeping the screen cover and screen from going as far up onto the supply tube as they should.

The bottom of the screen ends up being about flush with the bottom of the oil pan, so there's so way the oil pan cover will fit correctly, either.

I'll take some photos when I take the oil pan back off.

And, that "rope seal" looks more like a chewed-up rag?

Jason S. · Nov 10, 2013

I measured a pipe I had laying around and from the washer to the end was 5 9/16"

Jason S. · Nov 10, 2013

Just to be sure I measured an old filter that was laying here and it measured 4 1/16"

Tom Bowman · Nov 10, 2013

Thanks, Jason - I agree with both of those measurements.

It looks like the problem is not the tube, but the screen: my screen is "dished in" at the top, so there's not enough room for the filter:

It looks like the top of the screen has had the h3ll beat out of it. (Maybe related to a PO installing it upside down!)

It should be flat, or maybe "dished up" a little, shouldn't it? In it's present condition, there's a good 3/8" gap between the top of the screen and the screen cover.

I'm going to do a little "field modification" on it - nuthin' to lose.

And regarding the rope/rag stuff: I looked more carefully, and it didn't come out of one of the oil pan bolt holes, but a different hole on the right rear of the block, in the same area as the oil pan bolt holes. I probed it, and it's a couple of inches deep, and doesn't turn, as near as I can tell. I just going to shove the stuff back up there.

Finally, I successfully extracted the twisted-off oil pan bolt. (New bolts tomorrow!)

Jason S. · Nov 10, 2013

I would say if you straighten the top of it,it will be ok. I would lay it upside down on something flat and take a piece of wood and stick down inside and hit the wood until you have the top back flat again. I would also make sure the rubber grommet isn"t sticking up too much. I have seen a few filters that the grommet at the top seemed too thick and tall compared to the originals.

Jason S. · Nov 10, 2013

I forgot to add that you will have to pack that rope back in or you will have an oil leak. That rope is what seals the rear main cap to the block and doesn't let oil seep through the cracks. I have heard of people coating the rope with Indian head shellac to make it seal better. If you reuse that piece of rope it might not be a bad idea to coat it.

TO-20 Oil Pan/Filter Questions...

Tom Bowman

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2tractors

Well-known Member

Bruce(OR)

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Jason S.

Well-known Member

Tom Bowman

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Jason S.

Well-known Member

Jason S.

Well-known Member

Tom Bowman

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Jason S.

Well-known Member

Jason S.

Well-known Member

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