Oil Filter Relocation Kits

[Henri Hali]

This message is directed primarily to Dale Tanske, but if anyone else would like to share their two cents worth, I'd be happy to read them as well.

Dale, back in February of last year you were kind enough to reply in detail about these kits.
I was especially taken aback by your offer to make up one if I could not find one.
First, I could not possibly take you up on your most generous offer to make one for me. You have WAY to much to do with just your boat! But thank you for the offer.

Now here's my question. After months (On and off) of web searches and phone calls, that most times confused me more than helped, I decided I did not need to know the thread size or diameter of the O ring, and God knows what else.  (Oh, and one guy wanted me to give him the casting number located behind the Oil filter. I think I can do that if I cut a three foot hole in the starboard side hull and throw the hot water heater out of it.) Here's how I came to this revelation:

The filter I've used for years is a Phram PH8A. Since it fits perfectly well on the engine, a kit for that filter should fit perfectly well  as well. Do you see a problem with this logic?

Well, I ordered a kit form a automotive after market supplier that came with 300lb rated hoses and cast aluminum adapter and remote filter base. Seems to me like this should do it.
But maybe not. The package is stamped all over with warnings about checking the seal at both ends before operating the engine. Okay, I can accept that. The other warning says not for use on diesel applications. ( I dont know if I can accept that.)  So I called the manufacturer. They said no you cant use it. I asked is it because of pressure or temperature, or what? They said "vibration" the adapter might crack from vibration. Their solution is to supply special order bypass adapter and remote filter base that will cost me four times what this kit cost. Oh, and they would ship it early August.

I'm not an engineer, just a almost former sales guy. (I'm retiring at the end of the month!) I know which end of a wrench to put to a nut and that "righty is thighty and lefty is loosey". With this background in mechanical expertize, I cant buy it.

The adapter is going to be screwed to the engine where two hoses will come off about two inches from the top of the plate. Any vibration or stress will be absorbed by the flexable hoses. The bypass adapter will be an intrical part of the engine. Hell, the filter never cracked! Dale, I think you descibed your adapter as aluminum as well. I assume you've not had any issues with it.

Bottom line: Do you think the kit guys are looking to protect themselves from the 30 pages of lawyers in the average Yellow Pages, or am I flaunting my mechanical ineptness??

I look forward to your reply.

Henri Hali
SV Windrider

[SailingSeaDragon]

Henri,

Sea Dragon has a remote Oil Filter Relocation kit... It is a very robust unit in which the oil lines connect to a fitting that replaced the original oil filter mounting hardware... I do not know who manufactured it or if it was part of the original engine configuration. I do know that it uses the same filter as the stock Westerbeke configuration...

My "knee jerk" reaction would not to take any chances with unit that is not recommended for use on your engine. The loss oil due leaks is not only messy, it can have major consequences.

My guess is that the manufacture is trying to protect itself by putting the disclaimer/recommendation in it literature... But my experience is that such disclaimers are more often than not, a reaction to know problems, not just a CYA move.

I recommend caution.  If I can help in any way let me know.

Garner

[Henri Hali]

Thanks for your thoughts Garner.
You're probably right to err on the side of caution.
I was just thinking this might be a good subject for Good Old Boat, or Practical Sailor.
I may just do that. That is after I get Windrider's feet wet!

Henri