I would like to add an oil filter to my '73 Cessna 180 (0-470-50), which has a seaplane engine mount. The situation is complicated by the presence of a cabin air intake on the firewall, just opposite the oil screen location. It appears unlikely that a Champion filter and an engine mounted adapter will be a workable solution. It looks like the filter will be almost hard up against the vertical member of the engine mount. Even if it clears the mount, the air intake will obstruct getting the filter out for servicing. I know - off with the starter!

I realize that I could go with a remote mounted Airwolf filter. Before heading down that road, I'm investigating the Challenger filter installation. The Challenger filter appears smaller (shorter and smaller diameter) than the Champion filter. It looks promising that I could install the adapter and filter, and be able to access the filter for servicing.

I would like to hear from anyone that has successfully installed an engine mounted Challenger filter on a C180 engine with a seaplane engine mount. Have you been happy with the end product? Which adapter was used? Photos would be greatly appreciated.

So, here is the final outcome. I installed an F&M oil filter adapter (now owned by Stratus Tool Technologies) and the Challenger filter. Pretty easy installation, but I did need to relocate the oil pressure hose and tachometer cable to provide clearance.

The filter is angled slightly down so, when removing, the oil doesn't drip out much. The filter can be unscrewed from the adapter, rotated to a vertical position, and taken out between the engine mount and #1 cylinder baffle. No need to pull the starter. It is a pretty tidy improvement.

F&M filter adapter in place:


Challenger filter mounted:

How does that filter work? Just clean it out or do you get a new one very time?

They are a cleanable oil screen.
Remove the filter, Push in the element 1/4 turn and it springs out. Clean the screen and reinstall. They also have a magnet.
I think they are great filters and can save some serious money on filters if u fly a ton or do lots of oil changes.
I do wonder tho if you already had a removable cleanable screen why replace it with the adapter and another screen?

PAMR MX wrote:They are a cleanable oil screen.
Remove the filter, Push in the element 1/4 turn and it springs out. Clean the screen and reinstall. They also have a magnet.
I think they are great filters and can save some serious money on filters if u fly a ton or do lots of oil changes.
I do wonder tho if you already had a removable cleanable screen why replace it with the adapter and another screen?

Thanks for the info.
That question is the same thing I wondered. Why add weight just to have the same screen. The magnet would be nice I guess.

I have a Capehart filter that is the same dimension as a regular filter. Luckily I don't need an adapter on the oil pump to use it. It has a cleanable screen and magnets and as I remember the screen is quite a bit finer than the original Continental screens. In tests the Capehart did a better job.

I still have just the standard screen on my 470 and it is a lot coarser than the screen in the posted photo.
It'd strain out the large chunks but would still let fine stuff through.
Other than the on-going cost of replacement filters, 'is there any advantage of the Challenger over a regular spin-on filter?
Seems like the paper element would catch even more stuff than the pictured fine screen.

180Marty wrote:I have a Capehart filter that is the same dimension as a regular filter. Luckily I don't need an adapter on the oil pump to use it. It has a cleanable screen and magnets and as I remember the screen is quite a bit finer than the original Continental screens. In tests the Capehart did a better job.

Nice. Where does your mount Marty? In the original location?

I got lucky when I overhauled my "K" and a mechanic was doing a exchange on a 182 that had a "U" with the filter right on the oil pump. He let me put my old oil pump on the engine going back to the factory and I took the good one. All I had to do was swap out some studs since the pumps were different depths and the tach cable drive went the wrong way so that is when I put the Horizon P1000 in. Still plenty of room under the starter motor so I don't have to remove it when changing oil and I think it would still work with the Seaplanes West mount

Ok. Thanks for the info.

Found this picture from when I took the K apart for overhaul years ago. Notice the blue cap that covers the tach cable drive. Looks to me like it would have been simpler to have a filter on the oil pump right from the factory instead of a screen.

PAMR MX wrote:They are a cleanable oil screen.
Remove the filter, Push in the element 1/4 turn and it springs out. Clean the screen and reinstall. They also have a magnet.
I think they are great filters and can save some serious money on filters if u fly a ton or do lots of oil changes.
I do wonder tho if you already had a removable cleanable screen why replace it with the adapter and another screen?

One possible reason would be - if a guy had just installed a fresh pponk motor and wanted to bump the TBO up to 2000 hours by installing an oil filter. Space constraints severely limit your oil filter options with a seaplane engine mount. A full size filter is preferable, but it is a world of compromises, especially at the back of the engine in a skywagon.

Windknot54...so you used the Tempest adapter with the Challenger filter, correct? Does the Capeheart mentioned fit also with the Tempest adapter?

180Marty wrote:...when I overhauled my "K" a mechanic was doing a exchange on a 182 that had a "U" with the filter right on the oil pump.He let me put my old oil pump on the engine going back to the factory and I took the good one.All I had to do was swap out some studs since the pumps were different depths and the tach cable drive went the wrong way so that is when I put the Horizon P1000 in...

Just wanna clarify-- "tach cable drive went the wrong way", as in rotated opposite to the original tach drive?

Yes, that's what I remember(1995 was awhile ago) or I probably would have kept the original tach.

Windknot54...so you used the Tempest adapter with the Challenger filter, correct? Does the Capeheart mentioned fit also with the Tempest adapter?

I'm afraid that I know nothing about the Capehart filter, I cannot even find any information about it on the internet. But, assuming you have one in hand, I expect that it would work with the Tempest adapter.

Physical clearance for installation and maintenance of the filter was my problem. I chose the Challenger filter because it is notable smaller in diameter and height compared to even the small Champion filter. The Challenger worked with my restricted access.

I do wonder tho if you already had a removable cleanable screen why replace it with the adapter and another screen?

The Challenger filter is comprised of a very fine mesh (much finer than the stock Continental screen), which is pleated to provide a much, much greater filtering surface area.

It's worth noting that using a filter increases your oil change internal from 25 to 50 hours. I installed an air wolf. Running the lines was a pain, but overall really happy. You have the increased cost of an oil filter but much bigger cost savings from the increased intervals. Maybe one day I'll break even for the cost of the install.

BazzLow wrote: It's worth noting that using a filter increases your oil change internal from 25 to 50 hours.....

I added a spin-on filter to the C145 in my old C170,
and had one on the 320 Lyc on my C150/150TD.
After about 40 hours, the oil seemed thinner and less "oily", and kinda dirty looking,
so that's when I started changing it.