[FantomPoncho]

I was out changing the oil and filter on my '66 Lemans and cursed the whole time trying for the umpteenth time to get the filter off without dousing the headers with oil. I figured there's a lot of you guys with the same problem. What kind of things do you do to avoid the oil mess?

One thing I tried was to wrap the filter in a plastic shopping bag, then remove the filter. Let all the oil drip into the bag, wrap up the filter then wrangle the filter out. So far it seems to work ok, not perfect, but ok.

Any other ideas?

[FantomPoncho]

I was out changing the oil and filter on my '66 Lemans and cursed the whole time trying for the umpteenth time to get the filter off without dousing the headers with oil. I figured there's a lot of you guys with the same problem. What kind of things do you do to avoid the oil mess?

One thing I tried was to wrap the filter in a plastic shopping bag, then remove the filter. Let all the oil drip into the bag, wrap up the filter then wrangle the filter out. So far it seems to work ok, not perfect, but ok.

Any other ideas?

[shaker455]

I've never changed the filter without wiping off the mess after...

[Ryche400]

Same here. What I really hate is the smoke coming from the header as your driving away. Sometimes it seems like forever before it stops smoking....

[Young One79TA]

Yea. I just wipe it clean and let it idle in the driveway to burn the rest off.

[BN]

I've heard of drilling a hole in the filter to drain it before loosening. Sounds like a lot of work though. I use a large ziplok bag and twist it off with that letting the filter and oil fall into bag, not perfect though.

[burch]

I just drape a large plastic bag over the headers before unscrewing the filter. Still makes a mess but it keeps the oil off the headers.

[FantomPoncho]

BN,
I like the idea of drilling a hole in the filter. Takes a couple a seconds to drill, drain the oil and remove the filter. Good idea!

[DiamondJim]

Bn, The bag is a GREAT idea. So simple,now why didn't I think of that before my last oil shower! -LOL. -Jim

[Jeff R]

I agree with several here, plastic bag. I use a kitchen-sized, plastic garbage bag pulled up behind the filter, draped over the headers and down into the drain pan.

[DiamondJim]

I'm thinking, break the filter loose and then slip on a gallon size zip-lock bag that has the zipper handle...-Jim

[6D6GOAT]

at least you can get your oil filter out.

[BN]

Hey guys I forgot to list the most important item, latex gloves. Keeps the hands clean.

[wheelspin]

Even using the above methods, I found myself waiting for everything to cool off as the oil thickened . I installed a remote oil filter setup, which is the best technique for taking the hassle out of this task .

Les

[Jagtec1]

Just bend an old license plate to hang over your headers....works great!

I use that method at work on some poorly designed/located filters.

[DiamondJim]

6D6, I have a 66 also with Hooker SC's. I have to use a skinny filter and even then it is a tight squeeze. I use the NAPA 1045 Gold, made by Wix. Before I foung the 1045 I had to unbolt the 3 housing bolts. -JimT

[Murf]

I wrap "tin foil" around the headers before I change the filter. It works pretty well for me.

Later, Murf

[mikeb]

I use a large chunk of cardboard from an old box to redirect the oil flow away from the headers, and toss it in the trash afterwards.

[Jack Blum]

I use the plastic bag the store give to carry the filter and oil home in. Just wrap it around the filter (after loosining it), the oil and the filter drop right into the bag. No mess at all. But I do have to put a couple of rag for the drips from the adapter.

[6D6GOAT]

thanks jim, yea i've heard of people using the thinner one. i bought an oil filter relocation kit..im still sitting on the fence with keeping the headers or throwing the stock logs back on.