I changed the oil filters on my Deuce today with a fresh set of Baldwin filters. The base gaskets were a perfect fit, but the red fiber washer which goes under the head of the hollow cannister hold down bolt wasn't even close, so I had to reuse the old washers. Filled her up with fresh oil, started it up, and of course one of the hold down bolts was leaking. Tightened as much as I dared, still leaks.
My chances of getting the right fiber gasket anyplace around here, especially on a Saturday, probably range from zilch to nada. Anybody have a thought for a good field expedient replacement gasket? Would a nice, thick HD "O" ring work? Or would an "O" ring blow out from the radial pressure, since it has no support around the circumference?
I'm pretty sure the torque spec. is 60 ft/lbs, for the oil filter housing bolt. As for a "quick fix" gasket, a cereal box will usually work for temporary emergency gasket material!
Surprisingly, I got a usable fibre washer at the second auto parts store I tried. I expected the first place, a Carquest shop, would have them as they are a larger store and seem to carry a fair amount of HD truck stuff but nope, no such luck. Then I went to a PartsPlus store, a smaller place, but they carry the "Dorman" line of auto hardware. After a little digging around, he found a usable gasket. Same ID but a little smaller OD. I compared his with my old one, the OD of the Dorman gasket was larger than the "crush" area of my old gasket so I figured it would work OK. Bought 4 so I'd have some for the next filter change plus a spare, cost me all of $1.58, including sales tax for the four of them.
Lightly sandpapered the top of my oil filter cannister to smooth out any rough spots or burrs that could be a potential source for leaking, reinstalled the filter and cannister, fired it up, no leak! Went for a short spin to get the engine warmed up, still no leak so I guess I am OK!
Oil Filer Cannister Hold Down Bolt Leak
