Question on oil filter as aux fuel filter

[rsr911]

hey all, I've got a '91 E350 with the 7.3 IDI in it. I'm running a light blend of WVO to diesel and want the added safety of an aux fuel filter. Anyway I have a oil filter remote setup from years back and thought maybe I could run this a a filter inline between the tank and pump. The only downside I can think of is maybe the stock engine mounted pump may have a hard time pulling fuel through it. If that's the case then what about a Holley red pump back near the tank as a booster? I need to look but may have one of those around as well.

I'd eventually like to go the solvent thinning route with as much as 80% WVO, any issue with winter climates? I've been doing a lot of reading but couldn't figure out if the thinned WVO was being used as the only fuel. Please excuse me as I'm a total newbie at diesels as well as alternative fuels.

[44swamper]

i am learning a lot just by reading this section. There is a major wealth of info just by looking through all the posts already here.

From what I have learned, most oil filteres only filter down to about 15-20 microns. Everyone here says 2 micron is what you need. I would say if its filtered down to 2 before it goes in everything should be fine with that.

Also, to run straight WVO you need to heat it up a bit so it flows easily.

maybe some of the more knowledgable guys will post up soon.

[rsr911]

Originally Posted by 44swamper

i am learning a lot just by reading this section. There is a major wealth of info just by looking through all the posts already here.

That's part of the problem, I've been up way too late all week filling my head with ideas from this forum.

I'm thinking of the oil filter for two reasons. First I already have everything I need to put it in and second I want to protect the engine mounted filter as replacements are about $25. I've been putting together a pump/filtration system for my fuel blend and plan on filtering down to at least 5 micron, lower if recommended. I'm just thinking of the oil filter as a prefilter for the engine in the event some nasties get past my home filtration or I get garbage out of the tank etc. Mounted down on the frame rail I can easily change it when I change my oil and hopefully get a lot of mileage out of the engine filter. I was thinking of a water separator inline as well, in case my fuel blend isn't 100% dry.

[RickHredf250]

The key word is absolute.
Be prepared to pay for that word when included in the micron description.
Rated filters that state the microns with out this word are considered nominal. In other words "about 10 microns" for example.
One rated as 2 microns absolute is just that, a true 2 microns.
They are costly.
Rick H...

[rsr911]

Don't I know it. Working on a new product at work that needs absolute filtration at 0.5 micron. Need a filtration system large enough to pump down a 1000 gallon mixing tank in one shot. We've been looking a going with staged bag filters, 50, 25, 5, then absolute 2 and 0.5 micron. Plus everything has to be stainless, bet we've got $2000 wrapped up in the initial SS plumbing.

This reminds me, oilfilters are absolutely not absolute in that they have a pressure bypass should the filter become clogged to prevent oil starving the engine. Of course on the suction side of the lift pump there's no chance of forcing the bypass open. I guess my main question is can the lift pump handle pulling thru an oil filter?

[RatherBNtheWoods]

You don't have to use an oil filter on the remote filter mount. Find a fuel filter with the same threads and gasket and screw it on. Then it's a fuel filter.

[rsr911]

Originally Posted by RatherBNtheWoods

You don't have to use an oil filter on the remote filter mount. Find a fuel filter with the same threads and gasket and screw it on. Then it's a fuel filter.

Great tip! Wonder if a marine fuel filter / water separator will fit? I'll have to check. Either way that seems like a great choice.

I filtered my tank last night as I had clogged a factory filter (well at least the warning light came on and the van was running a little rough. I was surprised, used a GE whole house cartridge filter and diaphragm pump and I found things in the filter that couldn't have come from my 25% WVO blend. Almost like sand and a lot larger than the bag filters I had previously used. I had feared that my 5 micron filter bags were letting partiles larger than 5 micron pass but these where huge compared to anything in the small micron range. The tank is relatively new, the PO put it in. Wonder where the dirt came from? Anyway I pumped the tank as best I could then added 2 gal fresh diesel, shook the van and pumped that out too. I then changed filters and pumped it all back in, much cleaner filter this time around. I'm hoping I got most of the crap off the bottom of the tank but I wanna get this aux. filter in ASAP now. I'm gonna bring the mount to the parts store tommorrow and see what fits.

[FTG-05]

PM me an e-mail address and I'll send you an Excel file of most fuel filters that have a water drain. It will show Wix & NAPA part numbers (which you can use to cross to whichever filter manufacturer you like), with thread size, micron rating (nominal) and whether or not it has a water separator drain.

Al

[FTG-05]

Here is a .pdf form of the excel file; since it's .pdf, you won't be able to sort like you can the excel file.

Al