Switch to B35 oil filter assembly?

[George]

This is a cross post from bigcoupe:

Not sure if this has been covered but I'm considering switching to the B35 oil filter housing. This is the upright version from the e32 and e34 without the oil cooler. The canister is always a bitch to remove and replace on my b34 (the '87) and I like the idea of being able to replace the filter from the top (just like my e36)

Anyone have any reason why this shouldn't or couldn't be done.

thoughts appreciated.

[Bimmerguy2002]

YOU CANT! You have to leave it stock, thats how BMW intended it, they wouldnt have made it upside down for nothing!

[RobertRO]

Here's an issue to consider:
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/OilCanister.htm

[wkohler]

There's a check valve in the B35 canister that can fail, causing oil starvation on startup. As far as I know, that was only an issue with the earlier ones. I was considering this for one tapped for an oil cooler.

[Mike W.]

Change the oil and filter ONCE on an early M30, meaning pre 78 or so. You will forever after think the E28 style is the easiest, most user friendly type in the world. Ok, it's not a spin on, but it's not half bad. A little practice and it's easy.

[Shawn D.]

If you don't like the oil in the filter housing draining out, then go for it!

The B34 doesn't have the drainback passage that the B35 does, so if you put a B35 housing on a B34, the housing will remain full of oil when you change the filter.

[George]

I think I'm gonna go for it.

[wkohler]

If you don't like the oil in the filter housing draining out, then go for it!

The B34 doesn't have the drainback passage that the B35 does, so if you put a B35 housing on a B34, the housing will remain full of oil when you change the filter.

I was wondering about that. How would you get it out? A suction device?

[George]

If you don't like the oil in the filter housing draining out, then go for it!

The B34 doesn't have the drainback passage that the B35 does, so if you put a B35 housing on a B34, the housing will remain full of oil when you change the filter.

I was wondering about that. How would you get it out? A suction device?

Yep. The same type of device that you use to change the fluid in the tranny and diff. One pull and it should be empty.

The oil filter assemblies on both the turbo and the '87 look identical but the '87 is ten times more difficult to re-install. This will make it nice since I won't need a second person to tighten the bolt while I hold the canister from below.

[Shawn D.]

If you don't like the oil in the filter housing draining out, then go for it!

The B34 doesn't have the drainback passage that the B35 does, so if you put a B35 housing on a B34, the housing will remain full of oil when you change the filter.

I was wondering about that. How would you get it out? A suction device?

I guess how that's how you'd do it.

[wkohler]

If you don't like the oil in the filter housing draining out, then go for it!

The B34 doesn't have the drainback passage that the B35 does, so if you put a B35 housing on a B34, the housing will remain full of oil when you change the filter.

I was wondering about that. How would you get it out? A suction device?

Yep. The same type of device that you use to change the fluid in the tranny and diff. One pull and it should be empty.

The oil filter assemblies on both the turbo and the '87 look identical but the '87 is ten times more difficult to re-install. This will make it nice since I won't need a second person to tighten the bolt while I hold the canister from below.

I was going to say you were insane until I realized you're talking about an E24 with ABS.

[George]

Well, I've got the oil filter housing. I order all three of the gaskets that attach the filter to the block. I'm having doubts as to whether this will work or not.

Here are the gaskets:

I believe "A" was used on the 88/89 e24s that used the B35 engine with the downward mounted filter

I believe "B" was used on the B34

and I believe "C" was used on all e34/e32 B35's

Here's a picture of the oil filter housing (I got it from Paul Burke for a great price):

Seeing how the return passage on the b35 differs from the b34 "(oval vs round) I don't think I can get it all to line up.

Thoughts or suggestions?

[ismellfish2]

You're right about C- that's the one I used. It kind of looks to me like you'd want an adapter plate, which may be more trouble than it's worth. Unless maybe the parts of the oval return passage outside of the B34's circle would just butt up to gasket and block, in which case maybe it wouldn't hurt anything. I worry that it'll leak, though.
I'd be more worried about the lack altogether of the divider splitting the main passage. What's the difference between those two sides?

[Kyle in NO]

How are you going to mount that thing with the giant ABS pump right in the way?

[wkohler]

I'm really amazed that there were different configurations for this!

[George]

Yep, I think I'm gonna need an adapter plate. More trouble than its worth at the moment but when I get back to school I will CAD one up in Solidworks and CNC it.

I guess I will need one side of the plate to use the "C" gasket and the other side to use the "B" gasket.

Or maybe I should just switch to a remote mount screw on type.

[paul burke]

Hey George, If you want a spin on adapter that mounts the filter in the stock location I will make you one. Can credit you back for the E32 filter assembly

Paul

[George]

Sounds good Paul, PM me the price. I'll send you money and the assembly back on Monday.