How many converted to spin on oil filters

[Michael M.]

How many members that drive their Corvettes have converted to spin on filters? I know this won`t pass judging. I am talking about real drivers. I see for my 65 small block their are a number of aftermarket kits available but which ones if any come back to use a PF-25 or 35 Filter instead of PF-1 etc,. Is one better than the other? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am looking at the LICS one but haven`t called to see what filter it uses. Thanks, Mike

[Paul Y.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I have put 10K miles on my 63 in the last 18 monthes and prefer the canister type oil filter to the spin on. I have been dealing with that type of oil filter since I was a kid and have had very little trouble with it. I did have some leaking issues on a car I purchased with the spin on adapter but it probably was a faulty installation by previous owner. I put it back to a canister and never looked back. I don't see any added value to adapt to a spin on on a driver. Besides the 141 filters are less money.

[Steven S.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I used the spin on adapters on two of mine, not sure if I would do it over again or not. One thing to keep in mind is many of the spin on adapters (if not all, I'm not sure on that) eliminate the filter bypass, which has it's pros and cons. I'm told the biggest problem of not having the bypass is that in cold weather if the engine were to be revved cold you could potentially run the risk of blowing apart a filter. There are filters that are rated for higher pressures such as a K&N, but now you are talking a much more expensive filter. On the plus side all you oil is filtered all the time, buy I can't say what real world value that has. If they are making the adapters with a bypass now, then none of this is an issue.

Steve

[Tom R.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I just removed the spin on conversion on my 63 and went with the old cannister and Pf 141 which I also have been using for over 45 years. The spin on adapter I have did not leak and used the PF 25 spin on cartridge (short one) I think and it used the bypass valve. I have cleaned it up and will sell it, the center gasket and bolts if anyone wants it. I wanted the OEM look that's why I changed it.

[Bruce S.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

How many members that drive their Corvettes have converted to spin on filters? I know this won`t pass judging. I am talking about real drivers. I see for my 65 small block their are a number of aftermarket kits available but which ones if any come back to use a PF-25 or 35 Filter instead of PF-1 etc,. Is one better than the other? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am looking at the LICS one but haven`t called to see what filter it uses. Thanks, Mike

Mike

I have the spin on filter for my '64 327/365 with no leaking issues. If you do convert to a spin on, I would use the PF-35 type filter for that it holds more oil and does a much better job of filtering the oil than a PF-25 type.

I use a NAPA GOLD 1060 filter on my corvette... a very good filter.

Bruce

[Michael M.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

Thanks for all the responses even though I am a little surprized at the members switching back to the can. I am tired of messing with the can so will change to the spin on on this engine as I will be doing the initial startup shortly and need to change the filter shortly after that. I put in a car lift over Christmas (Thank you Santa) and the oil changes should be a lot simpler it looks like to me. I know there are a lot of others using the spin on from the previous post I have read. Thanks, Mike

[Ronald L.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

Despite the simplicity, I went back as well, nearly double to filter area, if all the oil gets pushed into the filter, that we will not know for sure...

[Tom B.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I switched to a spin-on on the '59 in 1971 fore the sole reason of header clearance. The can was in the way of the Doug's. the headers are long gone but the spin-on is still there. The canister is still with the car though just in case I want to switch it back.

Tom

[Alexander C.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I went to a spin on last year just to use a Royal Purple filter, the PF-1218 equivalent.

This month I have to drop my pan and replace my rear main, I think I might just put the canister back on just to be as original as possible and I'll use a Baldwin P19 cartridge.

[Stuart F.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I have a spin on kit from "Mr. Gasket" that I have had laying around for many years. It uses a smaller diameter filter (not PF-25 or -35). I too delayed installing it due to my concerns for the by-pass. But I have learned since, correct me if I'm wrong, that that feature is built into each spin-on filter anyway so you don't need the original one. Even if you could use it, it would be redundant. I went so far as to buy a case of filters from Wix which are black, figuring if I used them, you'd have to look twice to notice from up above (under the hood) that it wasn't a stock cartridge type.

The main reason I have not installed it is that I also have a repro canister along with my original. The repro has the nice silk screened lettering (good for show) while my original has a decal that I put on when I painted it years ago. I switch back and forth at each oil change so I can give each one a thorough cleaning before the next oil change.

Also, and this is critical, my Dad lost an engine on a Cavalier by running over a starter dropped in front of him by a junk truck. It busted his spin on filter right off and dumped all the oil. He was hard of hearing so didn't realize anything had happened until it was too late. Now, the original cartridge housing is very thick and sturdy, and could possibly withstand such an impact. The repro is about half the metal gauge of the original and I worry even now when I have that one on the car. If I had a spin on filter, I'd worry even a lot more. They are too vulnerable!

Stu Fox

[George J.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

My car had a spin on conversion and about 4 years ago I had it at a Corvette shop that told me that all of a sudden oil started spraying out of the filter, everywhere. We had no idea why but switched back to the canister. What is being said about the bypass now makes sense of what happened. I will never switch to a spin on again.

[Bruce B.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I have original canister filters on my 57, 62 and 65. Never had a problem with leaks.
GM used this type of filter for many years and many cars so why change if it ain't broke.
Cost reduction has lately driven many design changes. As an example, I bought a crate motor, Ramjet 350, it came with a very small AC1218 spin on filter. The first oil change I bought a AC1218 which was much bigger then the the one shipped on the engine. A few months later I went and bought another AC1218. It was half the size of the full size filter.
I called AC Delco and they told me the design was changed due to some problems.
I believe it was BS and it was done for cost reduction.
Larger filters have more capacity, more filter area and more surface area for cooling.

[Terry M.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

I have a spin on kit from "Mr. Gasket" that I have had laying around for many years. It uses a smaller diameter filter (not PF-25 or -35). I too delayed installing it due to my concerns for the by-pass. But I have learned since, correct me if I'm wrong, that that feature is built into each spin-on filter anyway so you don't need the original one. Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

Terry;

Thanks for posting. Looks like a number of us have learned something from this thread. I believe I will stick with my canister and buy another box of cartridges for it. Interesting.

Stu Fox

[Joel T.]

Re: How many converted to spin on oil filters

Terry;

Thanks for posting. Looks like a number of us have learned something from this thread. I believe I will stick with my canister and buy another box of cartridges for it. Interesting.

Stu Fox

Stu;

Amen, I'm with you!

Joel