What happened to our oil filters?

[WNH]

Yep, that's what I saw for the Mobil 1. I just didn't feel good about a filter that is so much shorter! :ugh

Thanks, I thought I bought the wrong filter

 

[tnovot]

This relates to the oil filter study menioned by Edmond. I have lost the link to the original complete study which contained considerable text and pictures. Read with caution; this information is now FIVE years old.
Conclusions
All of this information can be a bit overwhelming. When it comes down to it, all of the lower-priced filters ($5 or below) have they ups and downs. In reality, there are only five different manufacturers available. Here are the low-cost filters that I feel safe using, based on all this information (in alphabetical order): AC Delco, Purolator, and Wix. Here are my reasons for each:
I like the deep pleats of the AC Delco’s filter element and the fact that it is not weak like the Champion. I also like the way that the anti-drainback valve diaphram makes a positive seal to the filter cartridge and to the bypass valve, which sort of “snaps” into the diaphram. The fact that the bypass valve seats against the backplate metal-to-metal is not a big deal. It probably doesn’t leak anyway, but if it does, only clean oil can get back into the pan. In case you haven’t noticed, I like this filter. It is the best filter that you can buy for $3.
The Purolator is a very solid design. It seems to have the toughest paper filter element of them all and the bypass valve is built right into the cartridge. There are no internal sealing problems with this filter at all. I wish the inner diameter of the cartridge was smaller so that the pleats could be fewer and deeper. The Premium Plus version looks like it flows fine, but the Pure One or Motorcraft versions seem to be packed a bit too tightly. That assembly string still bothers me somewhat, but not enough to avoid these well-made filters completely. My ‘88 Shadow ES (as of 2/24/99) has a Purolator Premium Plus in it right now. I plan to cut it open and see how it holds up at the next oil change.
I don’t care for the Champion filters. The filter elements are way too fragile to give me much confidence in them. That, along with the rusty backplates, makes me shy away from them. Some decent filter material and a little oil used during assembly would make this into a fine filter. Like the Purolator, I like how the bypass valve is built right into the filter cartridge. This filter has no internal sealing problems, either. Even so, I won’t be using them.
The Wix filter is a very well made filter. My praise goes to Dana for putting some effort into it. Aside from being a stronger case, it also uses a much better filter element (about the same as the AC Delco). Like the AC Delco, it also has a minor internal sealing problem. In this case, the bypass valve has a metal-to-metal seal to the filter cartridge. It probably doesn’t really leak either, but if it did, dirty oil could get to the clean side of the filter. Otherwise it is a good filter. Given the choice between the Wix and the AC Delco at the same cost, I'd pick one while blind-folded. However, the Wix is about twice the price, so...
If money is no object, I would go with the Mobil 1. Although it has Champion internals, it has a really tough synthetic fiber filter element, which is the Champion’s only major downfall. The element is stronger and thicker than the Purolator, but they claim that it flows just as good as paper. As with the other low-end Wix filters, it has no internal sealing problems. The $10 price tag is a bit steep, but it is the best filter you can buy retail. Watch for “Mobil 1 Oil Change” sales, which includes 5 quarts of Mobil 1 synthetic oil and a Mobil 1 filter. Granted, there are probably better filters available through mail order, but I haven't tested those yet...
I reserve the right to change my opinion at any time. It could easily change if another filter (or one of the filters I am waiting on) comes around and is better.

 

[G Winter]

I think the L98 is going to be at least 25 years old in '05. I have an '85 which has the L98. When you really think about it, it's going to be 50 years old based on the small block from '55. I think that was the 283 cid?

265 ci in 55 and 56 late 56 early 57 283. some cars got the 283 in 56 marked as a 265 because they ran out of the 265. These had a canister filter which was used till the late 60s. Not real sure anymore when they went to spin ons. I think my 69 chevelle had the canister.

PS the 55 265 may not have had a filter.?????

 

[Edmond]

If money is no object, I would go with the Mobil 1. Although it has Champion internals, it has a really tough synthetic fiber filter element, which is the Champion’s only major downfall. The element is stronger and thicker than the Purolator, but they claim that it flows just as good as paper. As with the other low-end Wix filters, it has no internal sealing problems. The $10 price tag is a bit steep, but it is the best filter you can buy retail. Watch for “Mobil 1 Oil Change” sales, which includes 5 quarts of Mobil 1 synthetic oil and a Mobil 1 filter. Granted, there are probably better filters available through mail order, but I haven't tested those yet...
I reserve the right to change my opinion at any time. It could easily change if another filter (or one of the filters I am waiting on) comes around and is better.

The problem with the Mobil 1 is that they discontinued the M1-202 and replaced it with the M1-111, which is noticeably smaller. I'm concerned that means less filtering area to trap particles.

Average Mobil 1 oil filter price here is in the $10-11 neighborhood. But if you think about it, you're changing the oil 3-4 times a year. How much more money do you really spend going with that premium filter? I think it doesn't really add up to being that much more.

The cheapest I've seen Mobil 1 synthetic has been at Wal Mart: $20 for a 5 quart container. Pretty cool because you just reuse the old container for the used oil and drop it off at the shop.

 

[Achilles]

So I am assuming based on cost, the prefered filter is the AC Delco, followed by the Wix. And the Mobil 1 is prefered overall if cost were not an issue? Being that said, my supply of Frams are going in the trash! Although, I have been using them for nearly 30 years without any problems, so they can't be all that bad. Hmmm?

 

[Hib Halverson]

265 ci in 55 and 56 late 56 early 57 283. some cars got the 283 in 56 marked as a 265 because they ran out of the 265. These had a canister filter which was used till the late 60s. Not real sure anymore when they went to spin ons. I think my 69 chevelle had the canister.

PS the 55 265 may not have had a filter.?????

If we're going back that far, you need to differentiate between 55 and 56 which had partial flow oil filters and 57 up with had full-flow. The filter for the latter is the PF141. That was used until 1967 when Chevrolet switched to spin-on filters.

I don't know that the PN of the partial-flow filter was.

 

[slapshot]

While we're talking oil changes......how do you guys jack it up enough to get to the filter and oil drain plug???? I need to change the oil on my 91 for the first time. I'm going to try converting it over to Mobil 1 oil. I will only drive the car a couple times a week/maybe 2-3k miles per year, so I change the oil once per year. I'm planning on using a K&N filter..........

Thanks for the info

 

[WNH]

While we're talking oil changes......how do you guys jack it up enough to get to the filter and oil drain plug????

I use my ramps [homemade] and then jack it up an inch or 2 on the side the filter is on.

 

[Edmond]

Rhino Ramps. They're probably one of the most commonly used ramps and are usually found at Pep Boys for $29 or $19 if you catch them on sale. Just drive the car up the ramps and that's just enough to drain the oil and get to the filter.

 

[tnovot]

So I am assuming based on cost, the prefered filter is the AC Delco, followed by the Wix. And the Mobil 1 is prefered overall if cost were not an issue? Being that said, my supply of Frams are going in the trash! Although, I have been using them for nearly 30 years without any problems, so they can't be all that bad. Hmmm?

Yes, AC, Wix, Purolator, and Mobil 1 came out with good scores from the oil filter study. Remember tho, it was done by one person. While everything sounded pretty scientific, it was not sponsored by any type of lab or testing agency. It did assign scores based upon area of filter media, type of anti-drain back valve, internal leakage, case construction, and several other factors.
I forget the exact details, but think the study mentioned that Fram WAS a quality filter at one time but had some design and/or manufacture changes along the way. Like a lot of other things in the marketplace, make it cheaper and smaller in order to save money.

 

[slapshot]

are the ramps low enough to fit under the front end???? I considered ramps, but thought they may be too high to fit under a Vette.

 

[MMM]

I think the filter study being referred to can be found at:

minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

Mike

 

[WhalePirot]

are the ramps low enough to fit under the front end?

I have two sets of ramps and cannot get onto either w/o using (2x4, or wider)stepper boards, which I place under the forward lip of each. This steps the front tires up, raising the spoiler, precluding the ramps scraping and deforming it.

Anyone know of a 'canted' oil filter adapter? I would prefer to using such a device to mount my filter at an angle, over using the remote filter adapter with the hoses. My factory oil cooler and the (cursed) Miloden flared pan make using a straight spin-on impossible.

Thanks. Mike

 

[74bigblock]

We are supposed to change our oil?? :cry

Actually, at ChevyVetteFest here in Chicago last month I met this dude...

He had... check this out!!!:

1)1982 Pace Car Edition... with 7 (yes seven) original, documented miles.
2)1972 454 (my favorite motor) with 4 (yes four) original, documented miles, with THE ORIGINAL OIL, Coolant, etc. This car was so original, you could see the chalk lines on the frame from assembly! :crazy

 

[Edmond]

Does he just occassionally drive out to his mailbox?

Did you see any good deals on parts at Vette' Fest?

 

[Edmond]

Just an update...

on the K&N oil filter. I picked it up from the auto parts store today (Murrays) and it is the same filter, same size. Glad to see they didn't go to a shorter/smaller filter.

 

[74bigblock]

Does he just occassionally drive out to his mailbox?

Did you see any good deals on parts at Vette' Fest?

This guy has a collection of about 45 very low milage vettes. He lives somewhere in Indiana, and has a whole building for his vettes... he only collects vettes. He also had a low mile 68 L88 like 6K miles on it at the show.

I saw some decent deals... Picked up a set of early c3 T tops for $80... need paint and I will switch my hardware. I broke the fiberglass on one of mine... must have stepped on it or bumped it hard.

Other than that there was not much in the way of good deals. For thos of you with C2's looking for bolt on knock offs... the prices are going way up.

 

[tnovot]

Did a search. This is part of a response from c4cruiser on 12/16/03 to a thread started by Edmond:

As far as filters, AC-Delco is good, as are the Mobil-1 or K&N filters. Purolator, NAPA and Wix make good filters. Avoid Fram at all costs. On the ZR-1 Net ( www.zr1.net ) there are 2 links to oil filter studies. On the main page, scroll down about 2/3 of the way and look on the right side for "Oil Filter Study #1" and #2. Some good reading there.

 

[MyOtherCar]

I bought my last filter from NAPA. Off hand I don't know the part number but the local store has them in stock and did not mention any changes. NAPA filters are noticeably heavier than Fram, Delco, etc., and when discussing this with the clerk, he mentioned that NAPA filters have considerably more media than other brands. Don't know if it is a sales gimick or not, but that is the brand I use for this Vette and my other vehicles.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I use WIX filters made by DANA on all of my cars. They have a smaller absolute filtration capacity than the standard Ac/Delco filters. I change them in the spring and fall. I don't seem to have any problems finding them at my Parts Plus dealer.