Re: [Amc-list] Oil Filter for 1960 Classic 196ci

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Joe and Mark are on the money -- put a filter on it! It filters 20-30% at any given time. As Joe explained, detergent oil keeps contaminants suspended in the oil so the filter will catch it. With non-detergent oil contaminants drop to the bottom of the pan when you stop and the engine cools. Typical service procedures for pre mid 50s engines without filters included removing the oil pan every 30K or so and cleaning it. That's one reason there is no big crossmember under the engine and it has four point mounting. Chevy's were like that through 57, AMC didn't change the suspension and mounting until 1962 (suspension on big cars, 64 on American) and 63 (engine mounting big cars, 64 American). Oil change interval varied from 1,000-2,000 miles. The 1955 Nash TSM says change oil every 2K, change filter (if equipped) every 5K. You should use non-detergent oil if not using a filter, but the only ND oil I've seen lately is straight 30W. Should be fine in a well broken in engine as lon
 g as it's not to cold. 

There are three oil filter options for the 196:
1. Get a factory setup from a L-head or OHV. The filter bracket will fit either, tubing will need to be modified. From the factory the oil feed is from a plug in the main oil gallery just about 3-4" back from the front of the engine. The main gallery is that "bump" that runs along the right side through the oil pump just above the oil pan rail. On the L-head it goes straight to the oil filter. On the OHV without filter thre is a line that goes to a 90 in the head. Replace the 90 with a screw in T and run a line from the T to the head. Instead of replacing this line another line can be run from another plug in the main gallery, or a T put in the gallery and a new filter line run. The return line goes to a plug in the right side of the engine near the oil filler/dipstick tube. Should be drilled for a 1/8" NPT plug/fitting. 

2. Use an aftermarket remote filter setup. All you need is the filter base, no engine adapter. Run lines from the locations in option 1 to the remote filter base. If the base is mounted on the body flex line (which does wear out with age) will be needed. I recommend making a bracket that bolts the filter base to the engine so that hard lines can be used. Most use 1/2" NPT fittings on the remote base, so adapters to 1/8" NPT are needed for hard lines. 

The advantage to this method is readily available filters. Most remote units use a common Ford type filter (Fram PH-8A or PH-1). The 196 uses an industrial engine filter that most parts stores don't carry. NAPA and Car Quest stores usually have them, and any parts store can order a filter. Check big truck stops too. The filter is commonly used on refrigeration trailer engines. 

3. There is a full flow filter system available that will fit the big cars, but not the 50-55 Nash Rambler or 58-63 American (it will fit the 64 American). All 1965 Americans with the 196 have a full flow oil pump and filter. A few late manufacture 64s have been found with them, but they may have been added by later owners. The entire oil pump must be changed out. The same pump is used on L-head and OHV engines. I'm not sure what oil filter it takes, but believe it's the same as the 65 232, not the older 196 filter. 

------
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 15:47:05 EST
From: DonMcCPA@xxxxxxx

I don't have an oil filter on this car and my AMC mechanic says that the  
optional filter doesn't work that well anyway.  Should I add one?

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


_______________________________________________
Amc-list mailing list
Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list