Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Midnight Rider]

This has probably been discussed on here before, but I can't come up with anything in a search....

Recommended Oil Filter for the Ultra?  HD or maybe K&N?  Any advice will be most appreciated.......Thanks in advance!!

[HUBBARD]

I've always used HD filters.  Might be wise to inspect before you purchase, though.  I've had the experience of gettin' back to the Garage, only to find rust around inlet ports.  Not good.  Later--HUBBARD

[DCFIREMANN]

I use and stock the newer HD filters I also use and stock Amsoil filters. Both seem to be fine as the new HD filters are a lot better than in the past. I believe down to 5 microns but will have to check.  

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[Puzzled]

I use and stock the newer HD filters I also use and stock Amsoil filters. Both seem to be fine as the new HD filters are a lot better than in the past. I believe down to 5 microns but will have to check.  

Be Safe

THE DAWG

Did they change them. The early Twin Cams were 10 micron and the Evo's were 30 micron (from memory). I'd be interested in an alternative to the HD filter at $13 a clip. My Dually Diesel takes a two quart filter and is around $10!
 [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[Midnight Rider]

Check these out and give me your expert opinion....I found them when looking for the AC when I "rolled my own" system per the thread. The nut to remove seems like a handy thing.  They don't give the microns, just "meets or exceeds" OEM. Click the "more" link for more tech talk.  Since they make such excellent AC filters, I figured they must do a good job with this too.  Don't have a basis for comparison though.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=KN-171C

[grc]

Check these out and give me your expert opinion....I found them when looking for the AC when I "rolled my own" system per the thread. The nut to remove seems like a handy thing.  They don't give the microns, just "meets or exceeds" OEM. Click the "more" link for more tech talk.  Since they make such excellent AC filters, I figured they must do a good job with this too.  Don't have a basis for comparison though.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=KN-171C

TCnBham,

I use the K&N oil filter, and the nut on the end is nice for removal versus screwing with a regular filter wrench.  I wasn't able to locate any information on the "micron" rating, but I did read an article about a year or so back where a gentleman tested oil filters, and the K&N was rated higher than the H-D 10 micron for removal of particles without bypassing.  The finer H-D filters tend to bypass quite often, which means the oil goes straight to the engine without filtration.  Since the oil doesn't bypass on a regular basis with the K&N, the higher micron filter actually outperformed the H-D part over time.  The filters H-D has now "claim" to be 5 microns, BTW.

Jerry

[110tHunDer]

. . . The finer H-D filters tend to bypass quite often, which means the oil goes straight to the engine without filtration.  Since the oil doesn't bypass on a regular basis with the K&N, the higher micron filter actually outperformed the H-D part over time.  The filters H-D has now "claim" to be 5 microns, BTW.

Jerry

Jerry, I thought the filter had to be in pretty bad shape (i.e., full of crud) before it would bypass.  If that's not right, what would cause the filter to bypass regularly?

[Midnight Rider]

One thing that got my interest on the K&N was the "anti-backflow" feature,which they claim allows oil to reach vital parts faster on cold starts.  For all I know, all filters may do that now, including the HD.  But I'm ignorant at this point about the oil flow in the Twin Cam engines, so don't know if this would be something to be concerned about or not.   [smiley=confused5.gif]  

[Midnight Rider]

I've e-mailed the tech dept at K&N to find out the specs for their filter...will post when/if I get a response.

OK.....this is full blown A/R OCD...at least I can recognize it in myself.  It's those damn voices that are so annoying......

[grc]

One thing that got my interest on the K&N was the "anti-backflow" feature,which they claim allows oil to reach vital parts faster on cold starts.  For all I know, all filters may do that now, including the HD.  But I'm ignorant at this point about the oil flow in the Twin Cam engines, so don't know if this would be something to be concerned about or not.   [smiley=confused5.gif]  

The big difference in the Twin Cam oil flow from previous H-D's is that the oil now goes to the filter first, before flowing to the rest of the engine.  Seems like a pretty common-sense method, but H-D didn't see fit to do it that way until the TC came out in 1999.  BTW - I haven't noticed any difference in the amount of time for oil pressure to register between the H-D filter and the K&N, so I don't think the "drain-back" thing is an issue either way.

Jerry

[grc]

Jerry, I thought the filter had to be in pretty bad shape (i.e., full of crud) before it would bypass.  If that's not right, what would cause the filter to bypass regularly?

Brian,

I wish I could find that article I alluded to, but it has to do with the spring force that regulates when the bypass occurs.  Any time the pressure difference between the intake and exit sides of the filter reaches a certain value, the oil bypasses to protect the engine.  The problem is that the pressure difference will be higher with a lower micron filter media, and the H-D filter bypass setting is too low to keep the filter from bypassing even when the filter isn't really clogged up.  The article I read actually tested the filter bypass pressure settings, and the H-D was significantly lower and thus it bypassed much more often.

Jerry

[110tHunDer]

Jerry, that makes sense, thanks for the explanation.  If that's the case, that's scary! [smiley=nervous.gif]  Might have to switch to the K&N next time.

[SEULTRA]

Knowing that Jerry doesn't just make this stuff up, it makes me think twice about my oil filter choice at next service. Thanks for the input!  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[Midnight Rider]

Jerry...that's some good information to know, and makes really good sense.  That's what's so great about this site...learn something new EVERY day!!    [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[arcticdude]

Jerry,
If you find the article, it would be interesting to know WHAT pressure the HD filter bypasses vs the KN.  If it's bypassing at 60psi, while the KN is at 80psi it really won't make much difference as our motors never build that kind of pressure anyway.  Think of all the leaks we'd have if they did!