I asked Bob if he and Roger Lehman were being diabolical or was it just
British engineering that installed the oil filter upside down on the 120
Lehman, ensuring a mess at every oil change. That brought a reply with
several interesting tips.
First, it was done that way to save a few cents on the oil lines -
apparently Roger Lehman was a penny-pincher - but with an adapter, the
filter can be installed in the more normal direction. However, the
solution to the mess is easy. Just take a screwdriver and punch a few
holes in the top of the filter canister, wander off for a coffee or two,
and when you return the filter will have emptied into the sump and can
be removed without the usual oil spill.
More important, however, Bob also noted that although they work alright,
the 3/8" oil lines going to the filter are a bit on the small size -
Roger's parsimony? - and that replacing them with 1/2" lines will
increase oil pressure significantly. (He sells a reasonably priced kit
to do just that.) He also says to beware local mechanics that want to
replace the OEM lines with 3/8" high pressure lines. That, he said,
guarantees a significant DROP in oil pressure because the fittings on
those lines are, in fact, less than 3/8".
Cheers, Garrett