2000 Ford Diesel Superduty
Coolant Bypass Filtration


I feel that the cleaner I keep my coolant, the longer my radiator and engine will last (especially the water pump).

To accomplish this, I have installed a bypass filtration system similar to that used on OTR trucks.  I chose to go with a Baldwin filter system, as they are among the very best of filter manufacturers, and they have been providing these for decades.

Click on them to enlarge most photos.



 Parts

From FleetPride ( www.fleetpride.com )
1 ea - B5000 Baldwin filter base
1 ea - B5134 Baldwin filter

From Home Depot:
1 ea - Simpson Strongtie "foundation plate"
Appropriate-size brass hose fittings
Teflon thread-sealant tape

From Hardware store:
Grade 8 bolts, nuts, washers as appropriate, including
   two metric nuts to fit the bumper bolts
Small, fuel-line-size, stainless steel hose clamps
Plastic wire-loom to cover hoses for abrasion protection
Wire ties as necessary



Where I Mounted It

 

 

 

 

 

I put this filter behind the front bumper on the driver's side. I used a Baldwin B-5000 filter base and Baldwin coolant filter without "SCA" chemicals. I know, the filter shown is a Fleetguard, and it's also a good filter. The mounting plate is a "foundation plate", found in the Simpson Strongtie section at Home Depot. I enlarged one hole, and drilled another, to mount it on the bumper mounting bolts. Also drill the three holes to mount the filter base. A couple of large metric nuts and some Locktite secure the plate up behind the left side of the front bumper, and the appropriate grade-8 hardware secure the filter base. You can figure out the hose routing. I used 1/2" hose, properly rated for coolant, but 3/8 would work just as well, and might be easier to find the fittings and route the hoses. I got the barbed brass fittings at Home Depot. Clamp all the hoses using the small fuel-line-size stainless screw-clamps. The filter should get changed initially at about 5000 miles, then every 15-20,000, or when it no longer gets warm while driving.



Coolant Out to the Filter

I used the International's water pump housing's plugged hole to tap into the pressure side of the pump. Note the use of that plastic wire-loom stuff, that Ford uses on everything, added around the hoses for additional abrasion-resistance. Double-clamp the hoses.



Coolant Return to the System

Here's how the other side of the filter returns coolant back to the system, by "T-ing" it into the line into the plastic "de-gas bottle", (the tank with the radiator pressure cap).



The Gunk I've Filtered

This is what was found in the initial filter used.  There's more gunk floating around than I would have imagined.  This sandy stuff is abrasive, and will eventually damage the water pump seal, causing the pump bearing's lubrication to fail. I normally use Baldwin B5134 filters.  These have no chemicals inside them. I maintain the coolant's anti-cavitation chemicals manually with PenCool 3000 (a BTE formulation) and the proper coolant test strips. I could also use Baldwin BW5136 filters, which are pre-charged with 2 units of BTE.


SpringerPop's F350 Page

write: SpringerPop

Last updated 01/28/09