?s re PF-25 Reproductions

[Todd H 26112]

I think the 'white' AC PF-25 Repros are available from several popular Corvette vendors... Just 'how' correct are they externally? Are all the sources for this filter the same? I guess these are 'licensed' by GM - but out of curiosity - who makes them?

thanks,

[Joe L.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Todd-----

The current "white" reproductions of the AC-PF-25 lack the bottom embossments which some originals purportedly had. I believe that these are just current-production AC oil filter elements that have been re-painted and silk-screened. It will be interesting to see what brand filter is used now that the AC PF-25 has been discontinued. As far as who actually does the "re-painting" of the filters, I don't know.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

SO they were simply current (well almost current) PF-25s repainted? That's sorta what I figured. They are silkscreened w/ the "AC" logo and markings and not a decal of some sort?

BTW when was it after that - that they went to the next generation PF-25? I'm guessing next came the blue PF-25 but w/ a red "AC" logo on it around the mid 70s or so? In another words - what is the quick down and dirty 'history' of the significant PF-25 'generations' installed on Corvettes thru the years? Is that an easy one to answer off hand?

thanks,

[Joe L.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Todd-----

The next "generation" PF-25s after the white ones were, as I recall, medium blue with a "squarish" blue paper label with mostly blue background and square corners. Sometimes, the corners of these labels lift-off the body of the filter.

The last generation were a slightly lighter blue than previous with a smaller, rectangular label. These labels have mostly a white background with rounded corners. They "stick" very well to the filters and don't come off easily.

[Gary S.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

For the cost of a NOS PF25, buy yourself a repro and take the point(s) hit. I drive my 72 to the meets, change my new label pf25 and install the NOS filter. After the show I reinstall the original and take the NOS unit home. I give it several good rinses in gasoline and store it for the next one.

[Joe L.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Gary-----

I don't bother with either the NOS PF-25s or the reproductions. I've always used the PF-35-size filters on my car, anyway. Actually, I use the PF-35L or UPF-1218.

By the way, I don't recommend that you wash out the NOS filter with gasoline. I would just turn it upside down for several days and allow it to completely drain. Then, just re-install it for judging.

[Dave S.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Todd,
The current reproduction PF-25's look good to the casual observer. Upon examination there are a few "issues" w/ the repros. The repros are not as white as they should be meaning they are slightly beige in color, they have a painted band at the end that contacts the filter adapter(this can be removed w/ paint remover) and the silkscreening is too good. If you can live w/ reproduction parts on your car they are a good bet, if not, get the real thing. The issue of embossed vs. non embossed is still in the discussion stage as far as my research indicates.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Just as you described, I want to say around '74ish a blue filter came out. It had a paper decal also in blue w/ red "AC" lettered on it I think?

After that I dont' know if anything came in-between...

TOday (well last year) it ended w/ the current blue PF-25 w/ the 'rounded' corners on the lable. I have one and it has blue on the top of th decal and "ACDelco" on it along w/ instructions and a bar code.

1) '68-'73(?): White PF-25
2) '74(?)-'??: Blue PF-25 w/ blue paper decal, red "AC"
...
3) '??-'02: Blue PF-25 w/ blue&white paper decal, white "ACDelco" "Duragard" w/ illustration & barcode...

I'm sure there are more detailed differences year to year as well...

[Todd H 26112]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

I think the 1218 kept the 35's length whereas the 454 lopped off about an inch from the 25.

thanks,

[Joe L.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Todd-----

The PF-1218 is exactly the same exernal size and configuration as the PF-35. The only difference is internal in that the PF-1218 has an anti-return check valve. I use the UPF-1218, though. This is a synthetic media filter in a high burst-strength housing. The UPF-1218 is, unfortunately, discontinued.

The configuration of the "fluting" on the bottom of the UPF series filters is slightly different than that on the PF-series. Enough so that, if one uses the bottom-mounting oil filter wrench, a completely different oil filter wrench has to be used for either one.

[Gary S.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

"By the way, I don't recommend that you wash out the NOS filter with gasoline. I would just turn it upside down for several days and allow it to completely drain. Then, just re-install it for judging."

Joe, since the gasoline is an excellent solvent, and the oil filter may be stored for more than a year, what is wrong with washing out with gasoline? Other than the inherent safety issue, what can this do to the filter? If OSHA would look inside my garage with my 5 gallon container of lacquer thinner my umpteen cans of spray paint, etc, they would have a cow.

Gary

[Gary S.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Sorry, I forgot to ask. Is the PF35L a bigger case or better filtering media? I want to use the best filter for my 72 LT1 that I can, especially since I only change the oil once a year.
Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Gary-----

I don't know if the filtering medium in the oil filter is compatible with gasoline. It may be, but it may not be. Beyond that, I would think that when the gasoline solvent evaporated you'd be left with a "dry" filtering medium. This might deteriorate a lot faster than the medium with a little oil still remaining on it.

The PF-35L is the same size "can" as the PF-35. Obviously, this is bigger than the PF-25. The filtering medium in the PF-35L is fully synthetic and is the best product that AC-Delco has available.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Yes, I suspect it probably dries out the media which I presume is cellulose in the case of a std PF-25. Is it just being spun on for show AT the time it's parked on the field - e.g. is it even being run at all? Heck if it's not being 'run' or only for a few minutes here and there and pre-filled - it probably wouldnt' matter if it didn't have anything in it all perhaps!

2 thoughts: keep it in a zip-lock bag when transporting back - fabricate a 'base' w/ a thread to spin on for storage. Maybe a flat round piece of aluminum w/ a thread in the middle? I believe it's a 13/16-16. Diameter is about 4" or a little less.

If the filter used glue in it's internal consruction as some Frams - the gasoline might 'open things up' in undesired ways... but I don't think that is the case at least for modern ACDelcos. Hopefully and probably not for vintage or repros either!

You might need to be carefull of potential clearance w/ a PF-35/1218 - it can potentially be the lowest spot on drivetrain. No biggee, just be aware of it. It's been a while but I've read that the synthetic media version (can't recall what the called it... Ultragard instead of Duragard?) was pretty good stuff bit it was pricey and I don't think they are making it any more...?

As for size - given the same price - bigger certainly doesn't hurt - but I've finally come full circle in believing it's not the end all in every case either - given how anal retentive most of us are likely to be about vintage car maintenance - even the smallest PF-454 is probably overkill. I refuse to believe that even that filter could ever become 'blocked' even in an extended drain situation. If it were - you probably have much more serious problems resulting in this symptom. One advantage for a car driven a lot or going the full miles between service is the extra oil held by larger filters of course and possibly some modest additional cooling. What is perhaps more intriguing than size is perhaps some of the modern sophisticated filter media like the one mentioned here.

I do miss the old PF-25 - just the right size for me!

[Patrick H.]

Re: ?s re PF-25 Reproductions

Gary,

The last time your filter was cleaned, I have a really strong suspicion it was done with kerosene, not gasoline, FYI. I couldn't imagine using gasoline.

Patrick