Volume 2 Issue 3 - Lubrication

Amsoil Oil Bypass Filtration System Installation

For this installation, as with any other, it is agood practice to read over the instructions and absorb the information prior to organizing your approach to the installation. The location of the remote filter mount assembly is the first issue you have to solve – where are you going to put the filtration unit? For GM heavy duty pickups, a very good, if not the best, location is under the truck on the inside of the frame-rail. The filter unit fits nicely there and sits behind the frame, hidden from view when looking at the truck. This is where the special custom made bracket comes in handy, (Figure Two). The extra throw/length of the bracket allows for extension past the stabilizer bar. This bracket is available from www.thelubepage.com. When you have completed drilling holes for installing the bracket, place the bracket aside for later installation. Now is a good time to install the filter adapter assembly for oil supply and return. Figure Three shows the filter adapter installed and ready for the supply and return hoses to be connected. You will need to install the fittings into the adapter and then install the adapter in place of the OEM oil filter. Be sure to orient the threaded nipple on the side in order to facilitate easy installation of the hose assembly.

(Click any image to enlarge and for more information.)

Next, install the threaded nipples in the filter mount assembly and attach the filter mount to the custom made bracket (Figure Four). It is easier (but not mandatory) to attach the filter mount to the bracket and then attach the completed assembly of the bracket and filter mount to the frame-rail.

With the filter mount in place, measuring and assembling hoses for oil supply and return is the next task. The hose assembly is critical and following the step-by-step instructions to the letter is the best way to insure a correctly assembled hose. When determining hose length, include a designed bend in the hose, as in Figure Five. This bend will prevent flow noise from resonating and annoying you while you drive. Figure Six shows the hose fitting in the vise and the threaded nipple being screwed in; using a vise is a real plus for this procedure. Install the hoses between the filter mount assembly and the filter adapter assembly: snug but not over tight.

You are now ready to install the full-flow and oil bypass filters to the filter mount (Figure Seven). Depending on what tools you have, it is usually easier to install the bypass first. Fill the bypass filter with oil and lube the o-ring with a light film of oil. Spin the bypass filter on to make engagement and then turn an additional three-quarters to one turn. You may need to use a strap wrench to complete the additional turn (the size of the bypass filter makes it hard to find a filter wrench large enough to fit over the bypass filter). The full-flow filter (Amsoil EAO-26) is installed exactly the same but you can use a standard filter wrench to achieve the final turn for proper gasket compression.

With the assembly and installation complete (Figure Eight), the real test is starting the engine and pressurizing all parts of the Amsoil bypass system and checking for leaks. Let the engine come to full temperature and run the engine for at least 30 minutes to insure the bypass system is up to operating temperature. If a leak is going to occur, it will be when all parts are hot and clearances are expanded. Carefully inspect the filters: if any oil seepage occurs tighten the filter (when hot) an additional one quarter turn and then back off an eighth of a turn. While this insures good compression of the o-ring, backing off an eighth of a turn insures that the o-ring is not stretched or deformed.

Oil Bypass Filtration Maintenance

The oil bypass filtration system requires filter changes based on vehicle use as follows:

When used in conjunction with Amsoil motor oil and an Amsoil EaO or Donaldson Endurance™ filter, the EaBP should be changed every other full-flow filter change up to 60,000 miles. When used with other brands of motor oil or full-flow filters, the EaBP Filter should be changed every other full-flow filter change. Amsoil recommends using oil analysis when extending oil drain intervals.

Looking Ahead

Jon intends to monitor the performance of the Amsoil bypass system with oil analysis and we will post those results in Lube Notes in future issues so that we can track just how much of a difference the system will make.

From the pictures, we can see that Jon completed the installation of the oil bypass system in a very professional manner: it looks great. I have installed several of the oil bypass kits from Amsoil and I agree with Jon that anyone with a moderate mechanical ability will be able to easily install this kit.