I'm redoing the plumbing on my oil filter/cooler, and I'm moving the remote filter location to a better spot now that the A/C compressor is removed. I'm lucky enough to have an OEM threaded bolt hole in the perfect location for one of two filter mounting holes, so I know that one will hold very well. However, the other hole lines up with just flat steel on the inside of the wheel well (in the engine compartment by the washer bottle). I can't access the back side of this to install a washer and nut, which would be ideal, since there's a 4" or so gap between the inner and outer panels and I can't get anything in between them to install a nut. Does anyone have an idea how I should mount this filter mount to the panel if I can't get to the other side of it? Is there anything like a hollow-wall anchor for steel? Obviously, this needs to be very secure, so a bit rivet wouldn't do it I don't think. Thanks for any help.

 

have you tried removing the fender? and if so, why not drill thru until youve reached the other wall, then open the hole in the outer hole so you can fasten it properly. unless of course you end up having to drill a big hole in something structural.

 

Travis:
Actually there is such a thing-it is called a Rivnut and it is installed somewhat like a Pop Rivet. A fastener supply house will have them.

 

Maybe a little extream but can you weld a plate on the section and drill into that. Welding the plate should give you more structure to drill and tap.

OR

Bolt a brace/bracket that goes between two area's you know are strong. Then bolt the parts to the bracket. OR weld a braket.

 

At the bottom of this very page is an ad for http://www.Rivetsplus.com I see a number of different types of thin wall threaded inserts. I've used them for a number of things at work when needing to thread thin sheet steel and they work great. They insert and install from the same face as the hole is drilled from so you don't need to be able to reach the other face. Just make sure nothing important like brake or fuel lines or gas tank are on the other side before drilling.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jc836 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Travis:
Actually there is such a thing-it is called a Rivnut and it is installed somewhat like a Pop Rivet. A fastener supply house will have them.</TD></TR></TABLE>


yes this is what is holding my remote filter in place....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mohudsolo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">At the bottom of this very page is an ad for http://www.Rivetsplus.com I see a number of different types of thin wall threaded inserts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This site is going to come in handy quite frequently. Thanks for the link.

I went shopping to day and tried out a couple of similar products, but none of them are sturdy enough for me to trust my oil system to. I didn't find any "rivnuts" but most of the specialty stores won't be open until Monday. I'll check back then.

Tyson,
I didn't pull the fender itself, but I would have to look again to see if this would even help. If you can't picture it, look down where your AC compressor is/was and my filter is mounted just to the right of that on the side. I could drill all the way through without making any structural sacrafices, and I may end up doing that so that I KNOW that filter isn't going anywhere.

The only problem with welding is space. It would take me half a day just to remove enough crap to get in there and do a good job. I can barely get an allen wrench down there blind. The filter itself is very easy to get to (hence the relocation), but the mounting screws are tight.

chad,

What filter mount are you using? I'm using this one:



and it's a little tight getting into the two side holes. I wouldn't be able to thread a long rivet in there, nor could I fit a rivet gun. Do you need such tools with the rivnuts?

 

Go to http://www.aircraftspruce.com they have Rivnuts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


chad,

What filter mount are you using? I'm using this one:



and it's a little tight getting into the two side holes. I wouldn't be able to thread a long rivet in there, nor could I fit a rivet gun. Do you need such tools with the rivnuts?</TD></TR></TABLE>


i'm using one very similar to that one but the inlet and outlet are going straight up.....i mounted mine on the frame rail just near where ac and powersteering go (i have those removed)

all 3 rivnuts have come loose over the 45k miles i have put on....basically just dangling there with some zip ties holding the lines in and out in place which is holding the relocated filter in place....

with oil cooler remote oil filter and lines i use about 7 quarts of oil....to drain system i drain oil....then start car for about 5 seconds to get rest of oil (lines filter and oilcooler) empty....also i'm using a reusable system one filter....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

all 3 rivnuts have come loose over the 45k miles i have put on....basically just dangling there with some zip ties holding the lines in and out in place which is holding the relocated filter in place....</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I was afraid of, although 45K miles is a long distance (esp since my car doesn't see any street miles). Still, I don't want anything working loose. I looked it over again and I think I can get two 4" bolts through there with washers and nuts. I think that's going to be the best bet for now.
Also, I found a video online of those rivnuts in use. Looks like you need room for a drill (or a screw driver and a big wrist) and there's no way I'm going to be able to do that even if I pull the radiator and exhaust manifold, since the filter mount itself gets in the way. However, I have 100 other uses for the products listed in the links above, so thanks to everyone who posted them

 

you could weld a pair of studs onto a plate... then tack weld that plate onto the frame rail... bolt the stuff to that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you could weld a pair of studs onto a plate... then tack weld that plate onto the frame rail... bolt the stuff to that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's my back-up plan if today's install doesn't hold.

Here's what I ended up doing (sorry for the huge pics):



And here's a look at the back side. I had to remove the wiper bottle to install the bolts, but the bottle went right back in thanks to the stoopid GCR...



I used 4" 5/16 bolts. The upper/middle bolt goes into an unused OEM threaded hole, and I drilled the outer holes through both sheets of body panel. I'm pretty sure I could stand on this thing and it wouldn't move. I just didn't feel as comfortable using the rivnuts. I have a lot more surface area on the back side this way. Does anyone see anything unsafe?

Again, thanks for the help.

 

Use locking nuts or at least a little thread locking compound if you aren't already. Otherwise,

 

looks as good of an install as any. i also suggest the use of positive lock nuts and threadlocker. but otherwise, come on, FRAM? and whats with the stock exhaust manifold? please tell me its at least a Z6 4-2-1 manifold...

 

Trim those bolts, it is a race car or is it not?

 

Nice work Travis! I had the same idea for my car, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I know now what I will be tackling and can get the hardware before hand!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but otherwise, come on, FRAM? </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL!. The remote filter mount doesn't accept OEM Honda filters which is all I have, so I needed something big to see where everything was going to fit and if I could unscrew it. FRAM it is! To be honest, when I fill the system, I don't know what filter I"m going to use since I have only ever used OEM Honda filters.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">and whats with the stock exhaust manifold? please tell me its at least a Z6 4-2-1 manifold...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope, stock. It keeps my front end planted

 

My only concern would be that its soo close to the exhaust manifold....No overheating problems?