Changing oil in HT4..Hasting filter good enough?

[JAKEcatHT4]

My Cat dealer was too far away for such a low cost part so i did some cross referencing and come up with a hastings LF317. Found one locally for $8.75. Looks well made and came with three rubber rings. Now any recommendations on oil type for this old machine? It a 7U22836 SP. thanks

[JAKEcatHT4]

Can anyone instruct me to what size socket head plug that is on the bottom oil pan of the cat 315 engine i think. I crawled under there tonight to see what tool i will need from work tomorrow. Looks to be a 1" to 1 1/4" recessed plug. anyone?

[Old Magnet]

It is not a specific size and actually is tapered. It's possible to make a tool using a bolt or Cat has the 1/2 in drive socket (tapered) to do the job.

[JAKEcatHT4]

OM, I though of grabbing some hex stock at work and using my big adjustable wrench on it. I guess I'll take a measure on it another day.. thanks

[SJ]

I made mine at the dealer to take the plugs out and I found a bolt near the size and ground the hex till it was the right size and then double nutted the bolt and it worked good for years that I used it.If you have a welder you can weld the nut on.Jake if you have some hex material that will work too and you could use a socket on it to turn it then.Probably need to trim a little off the hex that goes in the hex of the plug as they are cast and a little tapered it seems at the bottom of the hex in the plug.

[ol Grump]

I wouldn't hesitate to run a Hastings filter. As far as lube oil, I run Delo 400 15-40 in winter, and Delo 400 40 wt in summer.

[JAKEcatHT4]

thanks for the help everyone!..Got the filter on today and fresh oil in the diesel motor..Got lucky making that tool, turned out perfect. Took a piece of 1 1/4"hex rod about 2" and ground one end down to 1 1/16" tapered abouts 1/2" from end. Thing is, wasn't able to get diesel running to check proper oil level. Seems now that I got my oil bath air cleaner back on it won't start..Was doing great while tuning my new carb rebuild..Did not have to shoot ether at it.I guess I'll go back to the starting fluid..

[ol Grump]

You might try running the pony a little longer with the main under compression, long enough to get the middle of the main's head to body temp. I'm not real fond of ether unless I'm in a hurry, it seems the critters almost get addicted to the stuff.

[Art From De Leon]

Maybe the screens inside the body of the air cleaner are partially plugged, and the oil in the cup adds enough restriction to keep it from starting.

You were running it without the bowl being installed?

[JAKEcatHT4]

Maybe the screens inside the body of the air cleaner are partially plugged, and the oil in the cup adds enough restriction to keep it from starting.

You were running it without the bowl being installed?

yeah, I had a few things unbolted while fabbing up the pony motor exhaust and rebuilding the carb. I was glad to see the diesel fire up after a short run off the pony. The previous owner would have to use the ether. But I was starting the main just fine until the oil bath went back on..I did inspect it. The oil appeared clean. Was I suposed to take the wing nuts loose and disassemble? I started the main today on of course starting fluid.