'54 oil filtration question...

Posted by Bobby On 2012/9/15 20:50:55

Hey guys,

One of the things I don't understand about my car is how the oil filter works. There's a solid metal rod that holds the filter cartridge in the oil filter housing, at the top is a threaded hole which allows the cover bolt to hold it down. There's also a small tube on the side, which carries oil. Now, my question is, how exactly does a cartridge filter work if there is only one tube for the oil to (presumably) enter the filter and then exit it? My understanding is that the oil needs to pass thru the filter (presumably from an open tube in the middle) and then the clean oil passes thru the filter medium, and then (presumably) out the little tube back to the engine. However, if the center tube is solid, that would mean that the oil basically comes in thru the tube and swishes around the filter medium, and is then picked up by the same tube? How can this be effective?