External Oil Filter and Cooler
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 811
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From: Hopewell Twp, PA
External Oil Filter and Cooler
I got my 73 FLH back in July. The motor appears to be all stock. It has an external spin on oil filter, appears to be a regular HD chrome filter. It also has what looks like a Jagg vertical oil cooler on one of the downtubes. The oil lines are looking kind of scary and I am going to change them this winter. I want to get rid of the external filter and the oil cooler when I do this, unless I'm really getting a significant benefit from having them on the bike. I'm is southwest PA and gets in the 80s in the summer, but nothing blazing hot. Would you keep them on? Thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
No way I keep either myself....The stock in-tank filter is fine [I use the Perform drop in filter] Been fine since the mid '80's, I guess it will go awhile longer...
IMO one of the worst things you can do to a shovel is restrict the return oil. [right after restricting the Breather]
IMO one of the worst things you can do to a shovel is restrict the return oil. [right after restricting the Breather]
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Personal choice and the bike in question, bone stock close to original bike lose the extra's a heavy daily rider that's been personalized I like to run the external filter and in hot states the oil cooler too just for the added oil capacity if nothing else.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
the filter - spin on is a full flow and restricts the same as the pro form - almost nothing
an oil cooler is 25 degrees cooler on average in traffic and down the road / actually a good idea and as twist has said having more oil to feed in and out is always a good idea
an oil cooler is 25 degrees cooler on average in traffic and down the road / actually a good idea and as twist has said having more oil to feed in and out is always a good idea
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
And I stand by my statement that any restrictions in the return side...coolers included, are a Bad thing.
But...Like I said I only owned shovelheads since the mid '80's [continuously] maybe Mine will take a **** from not doin it right one day.....
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: la la land jerzey
the late shovel oil pump has been used ( developed for the 80 inch motor ) and on every EVO Big twin till 91 when they changed the bolt pattern - not one came with out a filter
it is way easier to pump oil into and though paper then it is the small holes for the hydraulic lifters and that is only one if the small holes in any of the big twin motors
the restriction is far less - BUT having said that I do the same with any shovel you do / i am in the NYC area and traffic is the thing zero to 80MPH all the time it seems so an oil cooler on the stock or strokers is a very needed item - stop and go plus idle time at the Holland tunnel alone will scorch a piston and you have not even gotten into the city yet
it is way easier to pump oil into and though paper then it is the small holes for the hydraulic lifters and that is only one if the small holes in any of the big twin motors
the restriction is far less - BUT having said that I do the same with any shovel you do / i am in the NYC area and traffic is the thing zero to 80MPH all the time it seems so an oil cooler on the stock or strokers is a very needed item - stop and go plus idle time at the Holland tunnel alone will scorch a piston and you have not even gotten into the city yet
Last edited by johnjzjz; Nov 29, 2015 at 08:20 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
My statement about not being able to see the filter means that it may in fact Not be even for a Shovelhead...Twinkies take a different filter, and they should Not be interchanged.
the Feed side of the Shovel pump has No Problems pushing oil thru restrictions...like the lifters! The Return side...the one Shovels use the Filter in, do not do very good with restrictions...We had one guy with so much Crap in the return side [giant dual coolers with a mile of hose] that the poor thing could Not return oil...
If I lived where it was Really Hot...Montgomery, AL in July comes to mind! I would probably run a Cooler of some sort...close to the Tank as possible, for minimal hose, and keep the in tank filter...
I've been to SW PA many times...I wouldn't think a Cooler is necessary there..And remote Filters...if you have a Stock oil Tank, are a Waste of Hose, and unnecessarily restrictive....
I'll stand by the Validity of the Original advice given to the Original Poster!
All else...Do what ya want...
the Feed side of the Shovel pump has No Problems pushing oil thru restrictions...like the lifters! The Return side...the one Shovels use the Filter in, do not do very good with restrictions...We had one guy with so much Crap in the return side [giant dual coolers with a mile of hose] that the poor thing could Not return oil...
If I lived where it was Really Hot...Montgomery, AL in July comes to mind! I would probably run a Cooler of some sort...close to the Tank as possible, for minimal hose, and keep the in tank filter...
I've been to SW PA many times...I wouldn't think a Cooler is necessary there..And remote Filters...if you have a Stock oil Tank, are a Waste of Hose, and unnecessarily restrictive....
I'll stand by the Validity of the Original advice given to the Original Poster!
All else...Do what ya want...
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