Lets' talk System One filters

[Clois Harlan]

Last night after work I fired my "Newly Rebuilt" engine and ran all the basic test and everything seems fine. Plumbing is ok, timing OK, OIL PRESSURE is fine (idle's at about 900 RPM w/ 35-40 pounds of oil pressure after warm up and about 70 pounds at 5500 RPM), water temp never got above 190 except as the thermostat was opening etc.

Later in the evening after a couple trips on the highway, Kent my machinist, came over and blessed off on everything. When I picked up my engine from Carbones' he had a "System One" oil filter on my engine and asked me to use it for a few weeks. After my engine cooled down a little bit Kent and I ran the valves and Kent pulled the oil filter off to see what was in it and everything was normal. Kent strongly encouraged me to buy a new SYSTEM ONE filter to use on my engine. His cost is just under $100 but you never replace them, just clean out and re-use. This is an expensive oil filter even if it is just a one time deal so I wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with the SYSTEM ONE oil filters?

Thanks,

Clois

[Mark Husar]

I don't have any knowledge about these but I will keep track of this thread and hopefully learn something new!

[mikiec]

Here is their site.....

It's pointing to the FAQ's

http://216.149.59.51/faq.htm

Mike

[Clois Harlan]

Thanks Mike,

Hopefully, someone here will have some first hand knowledge.

Clois

[Cobrabill]

Canton makes a similiar one.It's about to be installed on my car.

[SFfiredog]

Hi Clois
I have used and like the System 1 filters very much. We call them the "garbage can" because of the finned design. I like a filter that
can be dissassmebled, inspected, and cleaned because it is like a window into the conditionof the internals, allowing you to catch a problem before it gets big. They are a bit taller than a FL-1AHP or a PH8A so clearance could be a problem on some cars (it will not fit on a Superformance chassis)
--Mike

[BB427]

I have run a System One filter on all three of our drag cars for about 5 years. On our alcohol injected cars we change oil every week so its great to break the filter apart and take a look. This filter has saved more than 1 engine for me. I also have one on my cobra. I have never had a problem with any of them.

[ted]

In the event you use a System One filter and trash the motor, be absolutely sure that the filter is clean of all the debris. I was involved with an early System One that was the non-pleated design where the babbitt had melted into the pores of the screen and was virtually invisible. Needless to say the new engine replacing the blowed up one ran fine until oil flow at high rpm was restricted and spun a main bearing. The problem was found only by putting the screen up to the sun and realizing the blockage.

The newer pleated designs would be even more difficult to clean as the minutest of materials can get caught in the screen pores.

Although they're more difficult to plumb than just using a System One in place of the filter, I've been using the Oberg style of filters for two decades now. The Oberg style of filters do have a contact switch on the bypass valve to let you know when the filter is picking up trash. This allows for an early shutdown long before a total engine catastrophe takes place. The Oberg uses a flat disk shaped screen that makes observation of any foreign material very easy to identify. I've been happy with the 60 micron screens but screens of varying sizes are available.

[68gt500]

Hi Clois, good to hear your back on the road.

All my race motors have the system1 Oil filters on them - just because its so easy to check for engine problems. Just take out the screen and look.

Makes it easy to locate a problem before it becomes a real PROBLEM. Highly recomended!