beehive oil filter on a SBC

can it be done, has it been done, any pics or tech info? Im saying yes, Tom says no.

 

Plumb it like any other remote oil filter on a SBC.

 

what i was thinking, why couldnt it be done is maybe more the question?

 

No valid reason comes to mind.

Ask Tom why not.

 

what about oil pressure? line size? my high volume pump really moves some oil, thought about it but the volume concerned me.

 

I've thought about doing it, can't think of any reason it wouldn't work. I just don't know where I'd put it.

 

Firewall?

 

Probably the only place I have, but I've got lots of stuff on it both inside (hidden electronic ignition) and outside. Model A's have small firewalls and with a recess to fit a SB it's worse.

 

I have one on my 292 I six.

I increased the line size to 1/2 inch and had to drill more holes in the tube throught the middle of the filter to handle the volume.

In it's stock configuration the tube has only 4 1/16 holes in it.

BB

 

could always mount it on the motor, like the kookie t.

 

did you increase the inlet and outlet size too, where the lines connect?

 

I have one on my 292 cu in I six.

I increased the line size to 1/2 inch

I also had the tube redrilled to add more holes. The stock tube has about 4 1/16th holes, I now have 32 1/4 inch holes.

Thanks to Russ Meeks for the formula and the conversion.

BB

 

I forgot about the Kookie T, I'll have too look that up, still not much room.

 

From what I remember when running a cooler with 80ish highway psi, if it doesn't have a bypass (has to push 100% of the oil through) you are looking at #8 lines for short runs, 10 for longer. That's a hell of a big fitting. Maybe use it as a seperator, bypass or accumulator ?

 

i know my sbc has the factory style bypass, but if the filter becomes a restriction then youll get a lot of unfiltered oil, right? and its at between 60 and 80, at 25-2700 rpm, yes.

 

An old timer friend of mine, in his 70's now, once made a comment that in East LA in the 50's if you saw a Hot Rod with a beehive filter you knew you could beat him at the Street Races. Seems the attitude was the were just fluff and anyone who spent his money there didn't spend it on Real speed equipment. And he had a pretty bad**** 3/8 x 3/8 flatty that Earl Evans personally did the heads on in his deuce roadster.

 

I too ahve heard this addage before. I was argiung that it could be done, but not very practical/cost effective. There is a reason manufacturers went to the canister type filters and they work great. I think ill spend my money on a roller cam than adapting one of those to anything. thanks for the input though. one more victory in the bench racing saga.

 

id get a roller cam instead too, haha.

 

That's correct. the factory bypass is meant to supply oil on a freezing weather startup or if you are an idiot and let the filter get clogged.

In your case, if the beehive becomes a restriction, you will push a bunch of unfiltered oil through the motor. It's definitely not the end of the world, but here's something else to think about: Putting a smaller line in the system if just going to add more psi. You're probably already filling the valve covers pretty good.

Maybe a sandwich adapter in between the filter and the block with a bypass hole that only puts a little oil into the lines, running up to the gutted beehive that acts to add capacity and cooling to the system. That would leave you with your stock filtration, added looks of the filter, plus an extra quart and cooling!

 

i thought about that. already got a 8 qt pan, but i dont see how more oil could hurt. and ya, adjusting the valves while running is an absolute mess, lol.