Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I've had an oil leak going for a while and determined that it is coming from the oil filter housing. I decided to replace the 2 O-ring seals in the hopes that they are the culprit. However, once I got to the point of taking the housing off, I found that I have clearance issues with one of the bolts (lower left) and the motor mount (see picture). Am I screwed here and need to take the motor out in order to fix this or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance

I have never done this on a SR20, but its common on other models.
You should be able to support the engine, remove the motor mount bracket.
You might need to lift the engine just a little once the bolts are loose on the motor mount bracket to remove.
I can't tell if you need to remove the starter to remove the bolts on the motor mount, but that might be the case with you SR20.

Make sure you disconnect your battery!!

OK, so what I did was put a board under the oil pan, unbolt the two bolts holding down the engine, and jack up the engine about 2-3 pumps to get myself room. Had I been smart and listened to Kevin, I probably would have hooked up the engine crane and done it the safe way. But the easy answer is to get yourself a couple inches by lifting it, then once you have made your fix, set it back in and tighten it down.

Now would be the time if you had ever been thinking about a filter relocation kit or an oil cooler.

And like Phil said, there will be live positives at either side of the work area. So unplug the battery for safety!

I always disconnect the battery when working so no worries there.

Anything else that I need to disconnect or unbolt besides the mounts in order to get it up a few inches? I've done it with other vehicles before but not here.

Filter relocation kit would be AMAZING thanks for mentioning it! I cant tell you the words coming out of my mouth any time I have to change that thing. Any specific recommendations or will any old kit from a reputable source work?

I do not know about any old kit.. But there are plenty of options.

I used this relocater.
http://www.frsport.com/GReddy-12401114- ... 12814.html

With this block adapter.
http://www.frsport.com/Tomei-193068-N2- ... _2572.html

And a Setrab cooler and some hoses from my local hose guy..

But I need a cooler. If you just needed to relocate a filter, I would lean to a nice block adapter and then just find a filter block somewhere..

Since every swap is different, I can't tell you everything that could be in the way. But for me, I think I loosen the exhaust coupler because I have a very tight fit down there... and then can go up until I touch the throttle arm, and there it is..

Well I ended up going with this kit http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/circuit-sports-oil-filter-relocation-kit-nissan-sr20det.html and the Tomei block adapter. Worked like hell to try and get it done before Solvang but once I got it together it was leaking from one of the hoses.

I took a break from it for a while and I took it apart and tightened everything to the moon - still leaks from one of the hoses. I think I will just go back to the normal housing now

If it is leaking from the hoses, new hoses are not hard.

I know its not, but at this point I am just looking to get it running and driving with some kind of reliability. I come from the school of thought that you don'd add something unless its absolutely needed and in this case it wasn't. I went against it and I'm paying for it now.

Its all good though, I have the intake manifold removal and replacement down to a science now with how many times I have done it. The coolant lines running through it aren't much fun to deal with though.

I'm using the Circuit Sports relocation kit in my car that puts the oil filter in the wheel well. It makes is MUCH easier to change the filter and gives you a place to put sensors for both oil pressure and oil temperature. I haven't shielded it from debris from the tire yet but its on my list of things to do. Just don't accidentally switch the inlet and outlet lines or your oil will not circulate and your oil pressure gauge will show zero . . . ask me how I know.

Shannon