oil filter

[Ed Levine]

I have a 71 Big Block-Steel Cities Gray Coupe. What type of engine oil and oil filter do people recommend? When working on car and changing bolts and stuff what is recommend in regards to use of not-siege and/or thread lock material? Thanks Ed

[Mike Yager]

Re: oil filter

Ed:

Everyone seems to have their preference with respect to engine oils. What you use depends on how you use your car and where you live. I have always used in my Corvettes either Castrol GTX or Valvoline motor oils - 20/50 in summer and 10/40 in winter. The winters do not get very cold here in Virginia. In a colder climate I would probably go with a lighter oil in winter.

As for filters, I have always used the AC filter as recommended by the manufacturer or CarQuest's line of Premium or Racing grade of filters. The CarQuest Premium and Racing grade filters are as good or better than AC. In my opinion there are a lot of junk filters on the market and its not worth saving a few bucks to risk damaging your engine.

I never use anti-seize or thread lock materials.

[Dave S.]

Re: oil filter

Pf-25 AC filters are still available. The current replacements are seen at swap meets everywhere. I would suggest the use of the AC PF-35 which is a truck version of the PF-25 and has a much larger(50%) filtering area. Those also can be purchased over the counter or at swap meets.

[Mike Yager]

Re: oil filter

Good point Dave. I have been doing this for so long that I forgot that the PF 25 is recommended in many cases. I think the PF 25 may be required in some later small block applications due to clearence issues. On my 64, there is no problem using the PF 35. If you have the clearence, the PF 35 is the one to use. I use the PF 35 or eqivalent. The CarQuest line has a filter that is the equivalent of the PF 35. The PF 35 is approximately the same size (dimension-wise) as the 141 canister element so you know the amount of filtering media is approximately the same.

[Ed Levine]

Re: oil filter

Thanks for the thorough response. Ed

[Greg A.]

Re: oil filter

There's a very thorough study on the various oil filters posted at http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corve...lterstudy.html

I usually get my AC filters at K-Mart...$2.89 each or 2/$5 when on sale...maybe they'll be even cheaper at the bankruptcy sale!

Greg.