Up till short time ago, i had to take my 78 vette into chevy dealer and have them do my LOF's,,, I can now do it as im set up with lifts etc... my problem however is the last time the chevy boy did my oil he put the filter on so tight that it wont budge,,, I was gonna change the oil in it this afternoon, but realized that i couldnt get the thing off, (oil filter),, its starting to crush,,, any suggestion i would appreciate,, thanks doug
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
get a "strap wrench" and when you put on the new filter make sure you oil the gasket to prevent this from happening again -
Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
im using a strap wrench,, but still wont budge, just starts crushing,,, yes,, ive always put some oil around the new gasket when installing a new filter,, plus dont put such a hurt on it either!!! ,, guess the little gm boy didnt know not to do that or to add some oil to the gasket,, later dougComment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
get as close to the top as posible. if you tear off the can you can use a punch and hammer on the part that is left on the block because it is much thicker than the can metal. been there had to do that.Comment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
I'm not a big fan of strap wrenches, even when the filter hasn't started to collapse, but I did have one work as advertised once.
Drive a long, large shank screwdriver through the center of mass horizontally and turn the filter off. (Uh...You AREN'T trying to turn the filter the wrong way are you?...Counter-clockwise! Sometimes things get turned upside down when you're under a car.)
If you tear the filter shell and media off the the threaded end plate, then you'll have to use a cutting chisel, hammering it into the edge of the endplate at an angle so as to turn the endplate counter-clockwise.
Be sure you're turning the right direction...if you're trying to turn the filter in the wrong direction, it ain't EVER coming off and you will have made yourself a LOT of trouble.Comment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
yes,, im turning the correct way,, but thanks for the reminder!! dComment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
they sell a cup type wrench that fits over the flats on the bottom of AC filters. if you have a AC filter these may work.Comment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
clem and Doug-----
This is the type wrench that clem is referring to. This is an AC wrench that will fit MOST AC-Delco PF-25/PF-35/PF1218 filters. Caution, though: some of the newer AC-Delco filters are manufactured by varying sources and the bottom "flute" style may be slightly different. In that case, you need a slightly different wrench. Auto parts stores carry a variety of slightly different sizes and configurations to fit the PLETHORA of slightly different flute configurations for EACH OD filter out there. Other brands of filters almost always have a slightly different flute configuration and require different wrenches than AC filters. You MUST use the EXACT correct wrench for the filter. The filter must fit VERY TIGHTLY into the wrench or it will 'slip', for sure, before you can apply enough torque to remove the filter.
Notwithstanding the above, usually a strap type wrench installed close to the flanged end of the filter as clem described will do the trick. At that point, the strength of the filter is greater and will support greater rotational force without collapsing the shell of the filter.
NEVER tighten a filter more than 1 TURN after the gasket touches the block surface and always lubricate the filter gasket.
By the way, the former AC-Delco UPF series filters ("Ultraguard") used a teflon-coated gasket. This eliminated the "stuck filter" problem virtually completely. It was a WONDERFUL improvement. Unfortunately, these filters are no longer available.
In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
Doug
4" channel lock pliers may help after the can is crushed by a strap. I use the tool that fits the bottom of the filter also it is the best way.
LyleLyle
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
The long shank screwdriver driven through the filter will work. Lots of leverage.Comment
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RE: the new oil filter
The new oil filters use much thinner steel now (they feel a lot lighter). That's one of the reasons I switched to the mobil 1 filters (there are several other brands too that have better filter media and a heavier case). If you want to make the NCRS happy, spray paint it blue and I think Paragon sells a repro AC Delco label - nobody will be the wiser.
MarkComment
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Re: 78' oil filter stuck!!
As stated, some filters will fit a bit sloppy. I found that putting a strip of fine sandpaper inside the Filter Socket tightens the fit and gives it a good grip.Comment
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If the filter won't come off by hand,
Don't waste time/money on strap wrenches, special filter sockets and making a mess driving a screwdriver through them. All you need to do it smack the filter twice in one direction with a two pound hammer and then once back the other way to straighten it up. That will break the rubber seal and it'll spin right off with your hand.Comment
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Mike, Sounds Like...
Depending on the job, you just go to your toolbox and select the proper sized hammer, like choosing a golf club.Comment
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Next time you can't get a big nut loose
with a wrench, ask me and I'll tell you how to do it with a hammer. Easy.Comment
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