chevy oil filter by pass
 

is there a chance of oil starving of the crank when on cold start with 20-50 and oil filter bypass plugged on a chevy small block? is plugging the filter by pass common on a race motor?

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

It is common, but why such heavy oil?

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

You need about 170 degrees oil temp for 20-50wt. to have full flow @ bearings.If you don't have oil temp gauge that may take longer than you think to get oil to 170.
Usaully only thing we use 20-50 in is ran long periods,oval track,street and not worried about a little power loss.
I still have alot of customers use 20-50 mostly blown or nitrous,they start cold and put in the water but they run .0035-.0045 bearing clearance,some of nitrous guys tried thinner oil and switched back.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

FB,
If you are showing full oil pressure on the gauge, then you are getting oil to the crankshaft, so I would say the answer to your question is no. However ..... if you use an inexpensive filter and the insides come apart due to the high pressure and the blocked bypass, you will have a problem. But if this happens, you should also see a loss of oil pressure. I had one customer ruin an engine that way years ago when he switched to a cheapo filter. We found a clump of filter paper blocking the main passage into the engine :(

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

There is a chance,but in my experience it is very unlikely. We have blocked the bypass ( to force all oil thru filter) on a number of BB Chevys and run 15w40 and 20w50 with no problems. Use a good quality filter.Personally, I let my engine run and warm up before giving it any increased rpms in the pits. (600 hp 468ci).

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

I was always told that plugging the bypass is not a good idea

Kevin

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

You build a lot of SBCs?

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

I have never plugged them myself.Went to a local Marina that builds off shore boats engines(BBC) and they don't use them.I know of a few SBC and BBC S/SS engines that are using stock none plugged oil filter adapters???? Why do you ask ED?
Thanks
Kevin

Re: chevy oil filter by pass
 

Everybody I know plugs them. Been plugging them for about 40 years now. Everything goes through the filter. Keeps oil cleaner, bearings stay nicer, just don't run thick oil without a heater in the pan or dry sump tank. All aftermarket billet oil filter mounts I have seen have no by-pass. Just wondered if you built many race engines. As Mr Taylor mentioned, don't use cheap filters.