Big block oil filter - do you even bother trying to prefill it with oil?

[bull]

I know it's a good idea to put as much new oil as you can into the new filter when doing an oil change to avoid dry startups but the 383/440 filter mounts horizontally. Last night I changed the oil in my 68 and decided it really wasn't worth the hassle. How much oil can you really get in a filter that lays flat? I use the Mopar MO-090 filter which is the same size as the originals they sold back in 68.

I haven't started the engine yet so if it's that big a deal I can always pull the filter back off. But still, is it worth the mess to get that 1/4 cup of oil inside?

[Ghoste]

I always pre fill them.  I know it makes a mess but its just what I was taught along time ago and continue to do.

[nvrbdn]

i guess im bad, cuz i didnt. i pre lubed my engine before cam break in. ran the engine.  fired the engine up later to get timing and carb tune.  drained the oil and put new filter and brad penn in. did not pre fill. i was assumiong that with running and all, the oil was doing its job with lubrication.

[Sublime/Sixpack]

On Mopar big block engines I don't bother to put oil in the filter before installing. But I do let the engine warm up before draining oil, and restart engine and let it run as soon as I button up the oil change.

[tan top]

no never bothered ,  always change oil when motor is hot / warm ,  all I do is crank the motor for 15 -20 seconds  with the coil lead off (  warning  don't let the spark ark to plus  minus terminals , can damage the coil ))  pull  lead  off the distributor cap &  slide a length of heater hose on to insulate it !!

[bull]

Ooops. I did mine cold. I need to start the threads first and then do the work but sometimes I have no patience. Or I act before I think.

[68X426]

My Hemi needs every drop of oil it can get at start up. Second gen 426 Hemis have so many oiling challenges that I always prefill the filter. I just spin it around a few times, let the oil soak in some, drain off excess into the bottle and install. I lose very little on the installation. Does it help? I'll never know but it's just cheap procedural insurance.

[bull]

What about those anti-flowback filters? They're supposed to retain oil inside by creating a one-direction flow from the inlet holes.

[bill440rt]

I fill mine. I let it soak for a while before installing, makes much less mess if any at that point. Good insurance.

[bull]

I fill mine. I let it soak for a while before installing, makes much less mess if any at that point. Good insurance.

I'm going to do this tomorrow. I forgot to buy an extra quart of oil anyway so I'll use part of it to fill the filter.

[Fred]

I prefill my filter with just enough oil so that the oil doesn't run out when I fit it.

[A383Wing]

I have never pre-filled mine...and never had a problem either

[Dino]

Has there really been any problem with not pre filling it?  I would think that if your engine blew up because you didn't prefill the filter, bigger issues were in the making.

My oil change ritual is simple.  I have everything set up in my garage and I drive the car in with the engine nice and hot.  Drain, remove filter, replace filter, new washer on the drain bolt, refill and go for a spin while the engine is still hot.  Never had an issue with any of my cars.  I just don't see the problem here.  Just make sure the engine's hot when you drain it and all will be fine.

[ws23rt]

I have never pre-filled mine...and never had a problem either

I agree. I have never filled mine because of the mess.  The oil film on the bearings does not go away in a flash and is still fed with residual oil in the oiling chambers. I see a concern as being a bit on the obsessive side.
When starting after a filter change the pressure gauge responds within 3-4 seconds

[A383Wing]

yea....you will get more wear on an overnight cold start...at least with a warm engine when you change the oil, the bearings already have an oil film on them from running

if it takes longer than 3-5 seconds to get oil pressure after oil change, you gots more problems to worry about

my opinion

[Kern Dog]

I always fill mine, then let the oil soak into the paper. After a short time, the oil level is down about halfway.

[Ghoste]

I see a concern as being a bit on the obsessive side.

Not the first time I`ve been accused of such.

[Fred]

It's like bringing up your kids...........you do whatever you think is best for them.

[polywideblock]

does anyone use "sludge" removers such as this   ?       http://www.liqui-moly.de/liquimoly/produktdb.nsf/id/en_2657.html?Opendocument&land=GB

[cudaken]

It's like bringing up your kids...........you do whatever you think is best for them.

So I should beat my oil filter butt?  

I only tried it one time when I was still in High School. Shop Teacher was a Bow Tie owner and told me I should fill the filter first. I tried to point out where the filter was located on my 68 Road Runner's 383, but he stopped me short and just told me to do it!  

10 Minutes later he spent 15 minutes bitching me out for dumping 3/4 of a quart of oil on the shop floor?  

With over 40 years of Big Block Mopar Power under my very big belt, never has been a problem. If you think about it, every time we start our BB's, there is only 1/4 of a quart any the filter anyway.

Cuda Ken

[Fred]

When I said "you", I didn't mean "you" literally Ken. 
So let me rephrase that........
It's like bringing up your kids...........one does whatever one thinks is best for them.

And the idea is to fill it with just enough oil so that when you fit it, the oil doesn't run out.   
Give my love to Flo. 

[Cooter]

I just prime the engine and no mess....