1UZ Short Oil Filter Housing: From 3D Scan to CNC Milled Aluminum

By LCM LCM
2 min read
1UZ Short Oil Filter Housing: Van 3D Scan tot CNC Gefreesd Aluminium

The Perfect Solution for a 1UZ Engine Swap in a Volvo 240 8HP or other swap where there is no room for the OEM oil filter housing

During a 1UZ engine swap in a Volvo 245, we encountered a problem: the standard position of the oil filter didn't fit due to the custom engine mounts required to install the 8HP ZF transmission.

A common solution is an oil filter relocation kit, where AN hoses are routed through the engine bay to mount the oil filter elsewhere. While this works, it introduces additional potential leak points, extra brackets, and a less clean finish. We wanted an OEM-like solution that fits directly on the engine.

Since no ready-made 1UZ oil filter housing options were available that met our requirements, we decided to make one ourselves. Thanks to modern 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies, we were able to develop a custom-made and compact solution.

3D Scan and CAD Modeling in Fusion 360

With our Creality Raptor 3D laser scanner, a budget-friendly yet very accurate scanner, we scanned the engine block around the flange of the original oil filter housing. This scan was then imported into Fusion 360, a powerful CAD software program, to model a compact 1UZ short oil filter housing.

Thanks to this detailed scan (with an accuracy of up to 0.05 mm), we were able to:

  • Correctly position all necessary bolt holes and dimensions.
  • Identify any obstructions.
  • Design the housing as small as possible without compromise.

Prototyping with 3D Printing

The first version of our design was 3D printed in PLA to test fit and functionality. The prototype proved almost perfect but required some minor adjustments:

  • Two internal bolts were located within the oil filter housing and required additional O-rings to prevent oil pressure loss.
  • O-ring grooves were modeled and calculated to accommodate the internal oil pressure (which pushes from the inside out).
  • An M10x1mm thread was added for the option to install a Bosch Motorsport pressure and temperature sensor.

After a second 3D print, the design was finalized: everything fit perfectly, sometimes with less than 1 mm of clearance.

From Prototype to CNC Milled Aluminum

With the final design in hand, we had the oil filter housing CNC milled from solid aluminum for maximum strength and durability. Finally, we black anodized the aluminum for a sleek, OEM-worthy finish.

Possible Sale via Webshop

After extensive testing, we are considering offering this 1UZ short oil filter housing on our webshop. This could be an ideal solution for anyone doing a 1UZ-FE swap and needing a compact, reliable oil filter solution.

Conclusion

Developing this solution took a lot of time and precise work, but the result is a perfectly fitting oil filter housing that ensures a clean and efficient installation in a 1UZ engine swap. Projects like these make it fun to perfect engine swaps and custom builds, and to come up with OEM-like solutions where standard parts fall short.