Thanks to Jim...

robs ss said:

Just drained the oil as part of my 9500 mile service.
All looks good - I have been using the best oil in Jim's oil scar test - Royal Purple HPS 10W40 every 2000 miles since the run-in oil.The drained oil looked darker (obviously) but felt and looked up for more mileage.
I thought I'd share a shot of the parts of my large sump strainer/plug.
Parts have only been spray washed with brake cleaner.
I subsequently removed the magnet for a wipe/clean - almost nothing there. The odd colours of the copper washer is because I'd already annealed it.
Thanks Jim! (@comnoz )
CheersView attachment 104841

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Gotta say, I had the same crude filter assembly in my '71. The spring clip failed, found the washer jammed between the cylinder sleeves. Couldn't find the circlip until I tore it down 30 years later sometime in 2005 or so. It was just sitting there on the shelf under the camshaft.
After finding the washer, I got religion and followed Paul Dunstall's advice in his tuning guide and soldered the clip to the filter housing. I didn't put the spin on adapter on until '98, so 27 years of large particle filtration only on that engine. Until the spin on filter was introduced in '72, unless you were changing your oil frequently, that brass screen wasn't much of a modern day filter.

Deckard said:

Until the spin on filter was introduced in '72, unless you were changing your oil frequently, that brass screen wasn't much of a modern day filter.

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My Combat did not have the spin on filter installed. But I would check the sludge trap in the crankshaft if you are in there during a rebuild. Then isstall the spin-On filter assembly. IMHO