420 oil filter change

[Paul Buhler]

So today I changed my oil and filter, which I've done in the past easily. The gasket that came with the new filter is too small to lay nicely in the groove. After some head scratching I decided that I should try stretching it like a rubber band to see if it would grow and fit as intended (I'm concerned since I didn't want to break it)

After two unsuccessful tries and way too much oil spraying over the block on start up, I hit on the right stretch amount and the proper way to align the metal cartridge housing and tighten the hold down without spinning the housing and causing the gasket to misalign. Success.

Any way, this is the second time that I've gotten what I thought was a too small gasket ring, and thought that I'd share my solution to what should be an easy task, but wasn't. The oil pump really moves a lot of oil through the filter in a hurry.

My dozer has been worked hard lately pushing around delivered fill, pond muck and other earth sculpting projects so I figured it deserved a power wash, grease job, and oil and filter change.

She seems to be purring in appreciation - at least for the time being.

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

I haven't had a problem with my filter O rings, what brand are you using?

[Paul Buhler]

I've gotten filters and gaskets from Lavoy, and now from another supplier since it was local and convenient. In both cases, the gaskets were slightly undersized, in my opinion; but it makes sense that they would "shrink" in storage and need flexing to fit. Not a big deal once I figured it out and got things to align properly, but it did make an oily mess and a waste of some new oil until I got things sorted out.
These are the things that make owning older machines interesting.

Ran the dozer for quite a while today and there are no leaks and the dip stick shows new, clean oil at the full level. Most recently, it was very black. I use Rotella 15-40w successfully - little usage loss, and the dozer starts easily summer and winter.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

You don't need to change the gasket every time you change the filter. About once every 20 years or so will do. The Deere filters don't come with one for that reason.

Stan

[Paul Buhler]

Yeah Stan I agree, but....
The used gasket/o-ring was finally on it's last legs and needed to be replaced.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Yes, they do eventually give up the ghost. I replaced the one in the 1950 M about 10 years ago when it started seeping. I couldn't say just when it had last been changed. Probably still original, I bet.

So, since I had to get one new one, I got two and did the 1958 420 as well. It didn't need to be replaced yet, but there I am doing it anyway

And, yes, they do need a bit of a stretch to go down in the groove. That makes sure they will stay in like they should when you pull the can off.

Stan