Magnets at head drains

[afret]

Planning to glue a small piece of steel next to each drain hole on Edelbrock heads to stick a magnet on.  That way the magnet can be removed for cleaning. Thinking of using epoxy but is there something better?

[jholmes217]

I put a magnet on the oil pump pick up screen, and use a magnetic drain plug.

[machoneman]

I wouldn't in a street engine that isn't torn down regularly. Anthying that could even remotely come adrift inside an engine....usually will.....and is bad news.

Use a much more secure method of catching steel particles as noted. Magnetic drain plug, a magnet stuck to the side of a oil filter, one of those large cup-shaped magnets designed to capture the entire bottom of the oil filter (not cheap!). Besides, if one has a valve train turn into shrapnel it'll take a lot more than a magnet to remove the bigger pieces     

[afret]

I don't think I need a magnet on the oil filter since I use the Canton filter which has no bypass. 

I would think that epoxy should hold a small magnet pretty well but I guess there's always a chance of it coming loose.  I have magnets stuck on iron heads near the rear drain and haven't had any problem.  Too bad magnets don't stick to aluminum.   

[bartlett]

IMO '

waste of time and effort.... a drain plug magnet ect will work fine and after that if you got metal its going to be junk anyways....

[jayb]

Here's one that will screw in place because it is fixed in a holder:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/102MG11/480-2015-ND/701369

Just gotta figure out where you can drill and tap a hole for it near the oil drain.  I think its a good idea to put one there, although I can't say I've ever done it.  I have seen in some cases of valvetrain wear that the low spots in the heads will fill up with a greyish metallic film, and magnets near the drains would catch any of that stuff that would drain into the valley of the engine.

[afret]

Here's one that will screw in place because it is fixed in a holder:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/102MG11/480-2015-ND/701369

Just gotta figure out where you can drill and tap a hole for it near the oil drain.  I think its a good idea to put one there, although I can't say I've ever done it.  I have seen in some cases of valvetrain wear that the low spots in the heads will fill up with a greyish metallic film, and magnets near the drains would catch any of that stuff that would drain into the valley of the engine.

Thanks for the link.

[Qikbbstang]

of the filter to me is far from the ideal location. An enormous amount of oil flow will be right through the pleated media pack and never make it to the bottom.
  Personally I run a "dangerous" to handle (you had best not get your finger between it and metal) magnet and mount it right at the side of the top of the filter where oil enters from the block. Not sure of the magnets efficiency loss through the oil filters shell but I always can find a black mayonnaise like substance on the inside of the filters shell where the magnet was.  My feeling is I get a shot at nearly 100% of the flow into the filter where as at the bottom of the filter you'd be lucky to get a few percent.

one of those large cup-shaped magnets designed to capture the entire bottom of the oil filter

Realistically I guess a handfull of magnets stuck all over the pan especially near the pickup could save a pump.  I have to believe the key reasons for having magnets is to determine if there is abnormal wear which requires accessibility and capturing ferous particles ASAP.  Having seen a late model Hemi that wiped-out a cam the damage to the piston skirts was significant.

[machoneman]

That screw-in magnet 'find' is great Jay and would eliminate my main issue: epoxying a magnet (or anything) inside an engine usually ends up badly. Running them, a filter magnet (cup-shaped, except for Afret's special Canton full flow unit, or just one hooked on the filter's side) and a mag drain plug would cover all bases. 

Some interesting details on magnet types, heat and curvature:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Oil-Filter-Magnets-Choosing-effective-ones?ugid=10000000016203114