DIY Coolant Filter?
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
You need a 3/4 x 3/4 x 3/8 tee to come off the heater hose and then a 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8 tee to go into the degas bottle line. The hose to/from the filter base is 3/8 and you need barbed 3/8 fittings on the in and out sides of the base too.
The 3/8 fitting is easy to find in brass, but the heater tie-in is a bit tougher. Napa sells a plastic one, that's both for heater application as well as it says it's a Ford replacement part. Me, I'm going all brass.
If you try the PEX fitting route (they're way cheaper) you need to go 1 x 1 x 1/2 for the heater hose and 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 for the degas line. The PEX fittings are a little bit bigger, but they should work and they are brass (their sizing must be OD is why the numerical part looks wrong). Neither Boo_Daddy or I have installed ours yet, and we're both planning on using the PEX fittings...
Good luck
On edit: Boo_Daddy, you and I must've been typing at the same time -- I just happen to be a slower typer...!
The 3/8 fitting is easy to find in brass, but the heater tie-in is a bit tougher. Napa sells a plastic one, that's both for heater application as well as it says it's a Ford replacement part. Me, I'm going all brass.
If you try the PEX fitting route (they're way cheaper) you need to go 1 x 1 x 1/2 for the heater hose and 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 for the degas line. The PEX fittings are a little bit bigger, but they should work and they are brass (their sizing must be OD is why the numerical part looks wrong). Neither Boo_Daddy or I have installed ours yet, and we're both planning on using the PEX fittings...
Good luck
On edit: Boo_Daddy, you and I must've been typing at the same time -- I just happen to be a slower typer...!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 1
From: Green Lane, Pa.
I just got the coolant housing shipped to my house for $30 but I have 1 question before I install it. How come all this nasty foundry sand does not clog up your radiator and heater core?
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Just about to get started on the install. I have the t's and the filter base and the hose. Myabe I missed it but does anyone have the part # for the filter? I htink I saw you can get it from Napa or other autopart stores
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Couple more questions, trying to get everything I need before I start the project.
Is a brass fitting OK to use for the cooling system? Will it react or cause any problems?
Can I mount the filter below the engine or does it need to be in the top of the engine bay? I have an oil bypass mounted under the hood and am having a hard time finding a spotfor it so was thinking somewhere low near the tranny filter?
Is a brass fitting OK to use for the cooling system? Will it react or cause any problems?
Can I mount the filter below the engine or does it need to be in the top of the engine bay? I have an oil bypass mounted under the hood and am having a hard time finding a spotfor it so was thinking somewhere low near the tranny filter?
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga
Well, I attempted to get my setup done today. I started off by trying my mount, and it was really "floppy". I made it exactly like the ones in the commercial kits, but the filter base seemed to really bounce around.
I even went back and added in some bracing but it was a no go. I used 20 gauge metal for my bracket. Im gonna take a few days and see what I can come up with for a good sturdy bracket. Does the commercial kits have any bounce in them? Are they pretty solid?
I even went back and added in some bracing but it was a no go. I used 20 gauge metal for my bracket. Im gonna take a few days and see what I can come up with for a good sturdy bracket. Does the commercial kits have any bounce in them? Are they pretty solid?
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga
Maxium4x4 made a really good looking bracket that looks likes it would hold a sherman tank...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6009127
I may go this route when I build my next one.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6009127
I may go this route when I build my next one.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
I think I'll try to do a minor relocation of the battery cable and use the small long bolt that is one of the radiator mount points, and then zip screw another mount to the top cross member. It'll be a smaller mount (closer to it's support point) and should be sturdy because of that -- might have to drill a hole in the cfb to do this.
Thanks for the update Boo_Daddy!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
Maxium4x4 made a really good looking bracket that looks likes it would hold a sherman tank...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6009127
I may go this route when I build my next one.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post6009127
I may go this route when I build my next one.
