Oil Filters

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

RE: Oil Filters

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Carl and Carl, thank you for all this amazing vital information about oil filters. I am ashamed to admit that i have never put any thought into putting FRAM in my cars. I have now been educated on this very critical matter and will stop using FRAM period. I always bought FRAM because of the hand grip feature and thinking they were quality. Off shore foreign junk obviously and i will now buy WIX and AC. Carl, by any chance do you have the product part numbers for the AC and WIX oil filters for my applications. I have a Chevrolet 400 V-8 in my 74 Chev Caprice Estate and a four banger in my 06 Toyota Corolla. My 57 Pontiac 261 has a canister type oil filter. Thank you for any help in this regard. Cheers. George.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

The AC is a PF1218 for your 400. I don't know the other two off the top of my head but I can look them up.

I do have some concerns about the newest AC's because I know they changed design not that long ago. I want to cut open some new ones to make sure they didn't cheap out like all the other manufacturers seem to have done. I have been reading lots online this weekend about this and so far it seems as if AC and Wix are the two best. That is the two brands I have sold at work for over 20 years now too, thankfully.

I get lots of filters in at work because of all the oil changes so I just need to remember to dig a few out of the recycling barrel and bring them home to dissect.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

So what would you guys safely recommend for my BB build?

I like the talk around the K&N brand filters.

Funny how I have my oil changed on my HO350 at a local quick lube, Mobile 1 10w30. They use a generic filter, no name to speak of. At low idle hot the pressure can drop away to 6psi. I'm told not to worry, it's 65 at speed.

Is it the filter at idle?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I have no experience with K&N so can't say if they are good. In my amateur opinion, 6psi at hot idle is getting on the low side. I believe the factory oil pressure switch for the light is set at about 6psi if I am right. 65 at speed is tons though.

Indian · Guru

NOS for 194-230-250 6cyls, $2 each, so I bought a case.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Carl, thanks for all the information, i just purchased a WIX oil filter for two of my three vehicles. Cheers. George.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I just pulled a Fram out of our filter recycle barrel. I hope to have time to cut it open later tonight.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Will look forward to Carl's findings.

Given that my LeMans runs a farm truck engine I have been using the big farm truck filter all along, AC only thank you. I picked up a dozen for next to nothing while swap meeting.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

73SC wrote:
Will look forward to Carl's findings.
Given that my LeMans runs a farm truck engine I have been using the big farm truck filter all along, AC only thank you. I picked up a dozen for next to nothing while swap meeting.

Ray, you got to love those swap meet super deals. Last year i bought 5w30 Petro Can oil for my regular car at $2.00 a litre. I bought enough for three oil changes.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I just purchased a WIX engine oil filter for my 1974 Chevrolet small block 400 V-8, the WIX part number is 51069. This oil filter is made in the U.S.A. and it cost me $7.60 plus taxes at a local jobber. After reading about this FRAM horror show, I will be sticking with WIX because it is made in North America. As far as AC goes, i would only buy it if it was made in North America. I will never trust off shore garbage in any of my vehicles. Cheers. George.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Hey George that's the beauty of the old stock swap meet deals,. MADE IN OSHAWA.

67Poncho · Uber Guru

Indian wrote:
NOS for 194-230-250 6cyls, $2 each, so I bought a case.

These old 35's were replaced with the 1218 when we use to have both... The 35 was the vertical filter and the 1218 was the horizontal filter.. (anti drainback) Also used on small blocks, big blocks, 6.2 and 6.5 diesels.... I have not replied to this thread because everyones opinion on what they want to use is just that... their own!

Now, that being said, and we are mostly GM folk here, why would you NOT want to put an OEM filter back on your vehicle in the first place... that's what doesn't make sense to me??? confuse confuse confuse (no matter the brand of vehicle)

I will not use a Fram because of the stories I have heard years ago... There use to be a demo mock up of 3-4 oil filters cut open to show the difference....

And George? This is for you... biggrin Plus, if you bought that PF-1218 at my shop, $6.50 tax in... (and everyone else)

The Corollie will take a PF-1233.. I don't have one to snap a pic of... $6.60 is FULL list...

-- Edited by 67Poncho on Monday 13th of April 2015 04:39:35 PM

2drpost · Uber Guru

Previous to champion labs making the current blue AC Delco filter, WIX made the older white/blue stripe AC Delco filters

WIX also made the white/red lettered Autopar filters for chrysler

68beaumont · Guru

At the dealer I work at we have even seen issues with the newer version PF48E (e-core) version oil filters with oil pressure. Replace with older PF48 problem gone.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Vincent (67 Poncho), thanks for all the information. It is good to know that the AC DELCO oil filters are made in the U.S.A. and are made by WIX as well. I will have to see what the local GM dealers are asking for these OEM oil filters. Thanks again. George.

68beaumont · Guru

Most of the ACDelco oil filters coming in to stock at our shop have Champion Laboratories labels still on the box.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I just cut open the Fram. It didn't disappoint. Flimsy little paper/cardboard "flange" at each end.

If I get a chance at work tomorrow I'll rummage in the barrel and see what other brands we have. Of course we have lots of AC!

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Carl Stevenson wrote:
I just cut open the Fram. It didn't disappoint. Flimsy little paper/cardboard "flange" at each end.

If I get a chance at work tomorrow I'll rummage in the barrel and see what other brands we have. Of course we have lots of AC!

I'm interested to see your results ... you are of a trusted independent opinion, instead of misinformed internet BS. (by the way, I own stock in AC Delco wink biggrin )

JetRider · Addicted!

Very interested in this topic as well,just one more reason i love the info i get from CP.Carl,was wondering what you have ever found in regards to Purolater oil filters,as when i sold filters i was always led to believe they were a top rated filter on the automotive side???

macsleuth · Guru

If I remember correctly, CTC house filters are/were made by Purolator.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I need to remember to dig in the barrel at work to see what else I can find in there. I am hearing there is an issue with the new style (Champion made) AC Delco PF48 which fits the late model pickups. I want to cut one of them open to see how they look. Also want to get a variety of brands for comparison. Don't give up, I WILL remember eventually...

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Carl, we all appreciate your research efforts in the oil filter department. Please keep us all posted on C.P and thanks.

Captain Beaumont · Poncho Master!

How about the Pennzoil filters,they any good ?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I haven't seen one in the bin yet, I've been watching though. I've read good and bad about them, so there's one way to find out!