!$#%$** oil filter

[spareparts]

hey nipper, welcome to my world, I'm beat up pretty good getting every ones boat running for the weekend, got one more day to go and a big bottle of asprin for tomorrow

Getting the wrench up to the top is the ticket, the rolled edge won't crush. If it slips, glue some sand paper inside the strap of the filter wrenchwrench. I've used a small pry bar to pry against the rolled edge to turn the filter, you may be able to do it witha screw driver, use teh bellhousing as a pivot point with a small prybar or screw driver, get the tip up against teh rolled edge and try to turn it. worse comes to worse, beat the rest of the filter off, then try a spanner wrench in the holes for the mounting flange of the filter

[nymack66]

All oil filters must be installed with some oil applied to the rubber seal if not it will bite on to the metal and give you you hell during removal. I am not sure if you have a large ring compressor slide it over the filter tighten it down then use a strap wrench. Good luck

[Slightly_Twisted]

Nipper, If your going to be around this weekend and need a little help give me a call. I work sat 8-3, but free sunday.

[nipper]

Thanks twisted. I think I gave you my phone number in a previous PM. I would be so pleased if you could help. I have family coming in for the weekend and I may get a nephew or two under there to take a whack at it. I will be leaving work around noon today so I could hook up with you today or after you get off work tomorrow. Sunday I will be attending the greatest spectacle in racing--the one and only Indianapolis 500. Off Monday as well.

Again, thanks for your offer to help and I look forward to a chance to meet with you! With a name like slightlytwisted, I think you just may be the guy to twist that darned thing off!!

[nipper]

Finally got that sob off!! It took 2 guys, one on his back with head under the engine and another on top of engine reaching down to get the wrench on and hold it between turns, but it finally came off. Discovered the problem was that the danged thing had been put on at the factory with gasket sealant!! No wonder it was such a bear. Mercury shouldn't do that to a guy. The filter was an AC Delco, so it had probably been put on by Chevrolet which makes the block for Mercury. Either Mercury factory should have put a different one on, without gasket sealant, or the mechanic who installed the brand new motor for me should have taken that off and put on one with just the rubber gasket (this had both rubber gasket AND gasket sealant) before putting it in my boat. In fact, I talked with the mechanic about the problems I was having and he said something like "yeah, those factory filters can be really hard to get off with the factory paint all over them and such." So, he knew from experience that the thing was probably gasket sealed on and should have switched it out. Am I po'd? You bet. Relieved, but still po'd that I had to spend so many hours trying to wrench that thing off.

A shout out to Slightly Twisted who called to offer his help, but I had gotten it off about an hour before his call.

[bradford]

As soon as I saw this thread's title I knew exactly what you were going through, crushed filter and all. I had the exact same problem on a mercruiser 5.7. After spending a couple of hours trying oil filter wrenches, channel locks, and a screwdriver after I crushed the filter, all in 98 degree weather with 99 percent humidity, I had finally had it. Suddenly the voices of God, Jesus, my Forefathers, and my inner self said in unison, "Bradford.... You must focus your Chi". A calming breeze blew across the land as I walked back over to the boat with the thousand yard stare climbed over the gunnels and hung myself upside down into the engine compartment and gently turned the filter off with my BARE HANDS!

May the Force be with you.