Oil Filter Questions

I changed my oil for the first time on the new talon, and we had a helluva time getting the oil filter off. I don't think we loosened the bolt that Kevin always talks about that holds the oil cooler and oil filter on, but we had to use a strap wrench to get the oil filter off. According to my buddy Brian you're just supposed to hand-tighten the oil filter, and he was shocked by how hard it was to get off. Is this correct? You just hand tighten the oil filter?

Also, where would you tighten the bolt, Kevin? Is it on the opposite side of the oil filter, and if so how do you get around to tighten it? There seems to be some kind of guard there. And do you have to tighten it every time you change oil and filter?

ya i think in the real world it is supposed to be turned on just untill the rubber seal hits then turned 3/4 of a turn further or ya had tight but still by had tight you can way over tighten it it dosent take much to hold ur filter on. hope this takes care of ur question

It can be very ahrd to remove. I use an old timing as a getto home made strap wrench :D That stud that the fiter screws onto IS the bolt. Use a 24mm deep socket on it, and the torque is fairly light, I want to say 20 pounds. If you go to tight, you can crush the cooler, see the vfaq. If you get really ambitious I highly recomend making that little spacer the vfaq mentions, since I have crushed coolers in the past and changed more headgaskets looking for a fix than I care to remember. :D