Anyone using a Gulf Coast Bypass filter???

[steved]

I just acquired a Gulf Coast model 0-1, anyone using them? I know a couple guys are from searching the threads... but nothing recent...



I was wondering things like:



What are you using for filters? Are you using the GCF filter element or paper towels?



If you're using paper towels, what brand seems to work best for you?



How often have you found you need to change the filter??



Just trying to get a feel for this thing... should be here either tomorrow or Monday. Trying to figure out what I'm getting into.



I already have a bypass installed... this is replacing that unit... so the lines are already there...



Any information is appreciated... there is very little on the web that isn't marketing.



steved

 

[steved]

Nobody is running a GCF??? I know I have read of several people running them, but they were old threads...



steved

 

[amsoilman]

Steve,

Did you ever cut that by-pass filter cartridge apart to see how much "Crud" was in it? You had stated it was "flowing" less oil, and you thought it may be getting plugged up.



Wayne

 

[steved]

Wayne:

Because of recent discussions/arguments I have been part, I will not be posting anything relating to MY oil, oil analyisis, bypass systems, or my findings/opinions on TDR (or any diesel board for that matter).

Seems that you are not allowed to post/use anything but Amsoil or Amsoil-related products. Everything else is substandard and a bad choice. And the boards have turned into nothing more than Amsoil sales, which I find less than informational (case-in-point: a "dealer" told someone that MY elevated zinc and phosphorus in MY UOA were showing excessive wear in order to sell someone else on Amsoil). And heaven forbid if you have an opinion that disagrees with Amsoil dealers or Amsoil's literature, prepare for the "gang up" thrashing of a lifetime if you do.

You can thank a couple Amsoil dealers for forever turning me off anything Amsoil sells or will ever sell. I won't be able to install this GCF fast enough...

I did find some installions on a 3rd gen dodge, that mounted a GCF to the frame. Not sure I'll go that route, but might look into mounting it to a crossmember... or mount it further back under the bed (and access the filter through the wheel well). Size will dictate mounting I guess...

I'm sure I'll get a thrashing over this post with dealers telling me how great Amsoil is, why my choice of bypass is inferior to Amsoil's, and how I could run 235,683. 456 miles running Amsoil with half a filter change.

Respectfully,
steved

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Don't let it get ya down Steve - some Amsoil salesmen, AND users tend to get a bit more aggressive and enthusiastic over their choice lubes than others do (I don't consider Wayne one of those!) - sorta like many on this board tend to get excessively "enthusiastic" over Dodges as compared to Ford and GM.



If I stopped posting some of my stuff just because SOME guys resisted and aggressively opposed what I present, I'd post lots less stuff - some guys would be happy to see that happen - but I get a steady stream of support and followup questions from guys who DO appreciate my stuff by PM and private Email - guys who are purely impartial will read and be interested in YOUR experiences in just the same way.



If you go silent because of a FEW who might disagree with you or want to keep you quiet, many MORE will be the losers for it! Personally, *I* am VERY curious as to how the Gulf Coast setup will work for you - and encourage you to continue bringing us your results and viewpoints!

 

[steved]

It's easier to just say they won... I'm done defending everything I do.

I do the mods to my truck for me, not for anyone else. Sharing the results was just a bonus, but not a requirement.

steved

 

[DavidC]

Steve,

Don't let the criticism get you down. There is a lot to learn from everyone around here. Some agree and others do not. Opinions are like a**holes and every one has one. When I see something that interests me I evaluate all the info and weed out the BS. Keep the info coming and resist the critics.



Dave

 

[amsoilman]

I agree with Gary and Dave, don't let someone that disagrees with what you beleive in keep you from voicing your opinion!



Wayne

 

[4xquadrod]

Yea, what they all said, so has anyone have some experience with the Gulf Coast Bypass Filter??

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I suspect the GC units are a bit of a rarity in our smaller trucks - but pretty popular in the 18 wheel crowd where their usual size makes installs and service easier. I'd LOVE to see analysis reports from on of those using a blue paper shop towel roll as the filter media - in fact, if there was a way to decently cut down a roll to fit my Frantz case, I'd give it a try!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I just did a quick search on "Gulf Coast" on this board - found about 10 threads - but few replies. Here's is one of the better threads I saw, with a decent cross section of replies...



http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94756&highlight=gulf+coast

 

[steved]

I suspect the GC units are a bit of a rarity in our smaller trucks - but pretty popular in the 18 wheel crowd where their usual size makes installs and service easier. I'd LOVE to see analysis reports from on of those using a blue paper shop towel roll as the filter media - in fact, if there was a way to decently cut down a roll to fit my Frantz case, I'd give it a try!

Amazingly enough, you'd expect to here more about them on the trucker's boards, but I have started a thread on Trucker's Spaces and got about the same response you see about any TP/paper towel filter thread. Some people know about bypasses, but not many know about the GCF. That board has a lot of members, but I got very few responses...



steved

 

[steved]

I just did a quick search on "Gulf Coast" on this board - found about 10 threads - but few replies. Here's is one of the better threads I saw, with a decent cross section of replies...



http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94756&highlight=gulf+coast

I read that thread a couple nights ago... and while I respect Ralph's input, his reference to Wypall L-30 towels is mistaken... I researched them and they are c-folds, not rolls (maybe he was thinking his MG-750 and talking GCF?). The guy I bought this GCF from indicated Bounty "Big Rolls" in the single packs seem to be the best fit. I have also read your (Gary's) thoughts on the blue towels and if they fit, will try them for a spell... but I wonder if they would be too coarse?



I have searched quite a bit and, believe it or not, most threads regarding GCFs are about them used on boats for both oil and fuel. There are also several documents where the US Government (USCG, US Army, and USAF??) used these to "recycle" fowled fuels to save money. There are also documents of cost savings using GCFs to extend OCIs and the savings they provide (or in their words, cost to recovery).



I believe the cleanliness of the oil has a lot to do with the engine... while some report they clean the oil, if you start with an engine that is relatively clean and doesn't make much dirt, it wouldn't take much to keep it that way.



steved

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

As long as the blue paper shop towels could be kept wound tightly, I really think they would make a superior filter material - I just haven't figured out a way to cut a standard roll down to TP size without ragged edges and lots of particles and paper dust/bits... I'll keep pondering on it, and maybe eventually come up with a workable solution...

 

[steved]

I just haven't figured out a way to cut a standard roll down to TP size without ragged edges and lots of particles and paper dust/bits... I'll keep pondering on it, and maybe eventually come up with a workable solution...

I read on other boards about cutting 8" paper towels rolls down to fit one of the filters... the guy used a single-edged razor blade with good success. I seem to remember he used a band around the roll to hold it's shape.



If you had a way to hold the roll and spin it, you could cut it like using a lathe.



steved

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I read on other boards about cutting 8" paper towels rolls down to fit one of the filters... the guy used a single-edged razor blade with good success. I seem to remember he used a band around the roll to hold it's shape.



If you had a way to hold the roll and spin it, you could cut it like using a lathe.



steved

Yeah, I had thought about that method as well - and so far, thats the best I have come up with - I would particularly need a way to mechanically spin it as it was being cut - trying to manually twist it while also trying to manage the cutter would be a bear! :-laf

 

[ABrenneman]

Well Gary, I read your post and came up with an idea, so I put it to work. The inside core diameter is 1. 62 on paper towel. Take a tailpipe expander, starts at 1. 5 and goes to 2. 75, and insert it into the core. Make it snug inside the core and put the unit in your drill press. I did it, and it worked great. I used a 12'' very sharp knife to cut it. It cuts perfectly. These expanders can be purchased at any auto parts store. I paid $23 bucks for mine at Advance Auto Parts.

While your at Advance, pick up a piece of straight muffler pipe. It should measure 1. 50 on the inside, and 1. 62 on the outside. This is 1. 5/8, same size as the paper towel core. Then cut it in 3 equal lengths. First a piece of pipe at the bottom, then an O-ring, another piece of pipe, then an O-ring, last piece of pipe, with an O-ring at the very top. This will make a nice seal on the core. The piece I bought was just 4 inches long, so it fit nicely.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well Gary, I read your post and came up with an idea, so I put it to work. The inside core diameter is 1. 62 on paper towel. Take a tailpipe expander, starts at 1. 5 and goes to 2. 75, and insert it into the core. Make it snug inside the core and put the unit in your drill press. I did it, and it worked great. I used a 12'' very sharp knife to cut it. It cuts perfectly. These expanders can be purchased at any auto parts store. I paid $23 bucks for mine at Advance Auto Parts.



While your at Advance, pick up a piece of straight muffler pipe. It should measure 1. 50 on the inside, and 1. 62 on the outside. This is 1. 5/8, same size as the paper towel core. Then cut it in 3 equal lengths. First a piece of pipe at the bottom, then an O-ring, another piece of pipe, then an O-ring, last piece of pipe, with an O-ring at the very top. This will make a nice seal on the core. The piece I bought was just 4 inches long, so it fit nicely.

Nice work!



I had sorta figured out something similar, but hadn't got past the "armchair" stage! :-laf :-laf