Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

[Stuart F.]

Since my last disastrous oil change, I have again gone back to considering a conversion to a spin on filter.

As best I can tell, there are two different basic designs;

1) I have in my stock of parts a kit I bought a long time ago during another one of my weak moments. It is made by Cal Customs and is designed to be used with spin on filters that have a built in PRV (of which I have two in stock; Wix #51515). As such, to mount the adapter you must remove the PRV plate. The adapter then mounts in place of the PRV using the two original bolt holes that held the PRV. The filter appears smaller than an original PF-35, both in diameter and length. I assume both the PF-35 and original canister hold a full quart.

2) The current design I see offered by CC (there p/no. #301220) appears to retain the original PRV and O-Ring gasket, bolting through the adapter and PRV with a gasket in between.

My questions are; has anyone ever installed either type kit, and what was your experience with them? Also, in general, will the filter with the built in PRV be adequate both in volume and pressure relief for use on my 63 L-76 engine which, of course, has the higher pressure oil pump?

Interested in hearing your comments before I commit myself to using what I have, buying new parts, or jobing out my oil changes.

Stu Fox

[Bill M.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

I prefer the old cartridge filter just make sure you always replace the rubber seal and you should have no problem. I have a spin on on my 66 and will be changing back to can soon.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Bill;

What brand conversion did you use on your 66?

I agree about the cartridge. I always found reason to prefer the original heavy gauge canister with the cartridge, but this last time when I did my fall change, I did change the O-Ring seal, but some how it got pinched where you can't see it and i dumped at least 4 quarts before i got it shut off. It used to be that the O-Rings fit nice and tight, and once you got it in the groove it would stay real well and you had to use a pick to get it out. But this last one just didn't seem to want to stay in place very well.

I still have a couple of Wix cartridge filters to use up, so I don't expect to change over for at least a year. My main concern is to whether the built in PRV is adequate for my SHP engine. If nothing else. I'd like to try out the conversion I have just to see if I like it.

Stu Fox

[Dan H.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Hi Stu, back in 63 when I was a gas station jockey, we would put heavy lube grease on the gasket O ring to hold it there until we seated the cannister up against it. Always took the center fitting with the two bolts out to check for multiple O rings being crammed in there. Best way is to get the cannister almost all the way up, then push it in to seat and snug the bolt. Would be nice to have three hands but that wouldn't be as much fun! Like the WIX cartridges as a great replecaement, very sturdy filter.
Dan

[Stuart F.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Dan;

Thanks for your response. Back in the day, I used to have access to lifts and tools of a friend's Sinclair gas station. All my buddies hung out there as several of them pumped gas for him. He was a good friend to have as he was the Police Commissioner in Racine, WI. On Friday nights we'd all meet up there after dropping off our girl friends and have Pizza sent in (a 3' diameter pizza, no kidding) and work on our cars after closing. We'd often have some of the city police and Sheriff's Department join us. This arrangement worked out very well for us.

I never used to have any problem doing my maintenance there, but now days I am handicapped by my age and eyesight, and only have drive up ramps to help me lift and crawl under my car. Of course, Tim B. Suggests I should follow his example and just take a nap while I'm under there.

That's why I'm now considering the spin on filter in an effort to make things a little bit easier.

Stu Fox

[Michael J.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

I can't wait until all the judging, etc. is over on my C2s and I can finally install these and get rid of that ridiculous and old fashioned canister, nothing but trouble and a stupid design most car manufacturers got rid of long before GM did.

[Keith B.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

I can't wait until all the judging, etc. is over on my C2s and I can finally install these and get rid of that ridiculous and old fashioned canister, nothing but trouble and a stupid design most car manufacturers got rid of long before GM did.

you realize most new cars are going back to the canister.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Does anyone have an opinion about the spin on filter with the built in PRV vs. the cartridge filter with the engine PRV???

Is the spin on PRV adequate protection for a SHP engine???

Stu Fox

[Jim T.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Dan;

Thanks for your response. Back in the day, I used to have access to lifts and tools of a friend's Sinclair gas station. All my buddies hung out there as several of them pumped gas for him. He was a good friend to have as he was the Police Commissioner in Racine, WI. On Friday nights we'd all meet up there after dropping off our girl friends and have Pizza sent in (a 3' diameter pizza, no kidding) and work on our cars after closing. We'd often have some of the city police and Sheriff's Department join us. This arrangement worked out very well for us.

I never used to have any problem doing my maintenance there, but now days I am handicapped by my age and eyesight, and only have drive up ramps to help me lift and crawl under my car. Of course, Tim B. Suggests I should follow his example and just take a nap while I'm under there.

That's why I'm now considering the spin on filter in an effort to make things a little bit easier.

Stu Fox

Stuart in having only spin on filters on my Corvettes I like to drive a sharp tool into the spin on filter while draining the oil pan to drain the spin on filter before removing it. Have you seen the drive on ramps for cars with low front ends? The ramps are plenty wide for wider car tires and accommodate lower front end end Corvettes. Being wider could be helpful when driving on these ramps without helper guidance.

[Michael J.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

you realize most new cars are going back to the canister.

My 2012 ZR1 has a spin on filter, that's the newest one I have.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

My ramps are HD metal and wide enough for my 205x15 radials, but the stop is not adequate. They don't have any rubber feet on them or any way to prevent them from pushing forward when I'm trying to drive onto them. As such, I have to block them against the edge of the garage concrete slab which is slightly higher than the driveway. Once on them, it is hard to feel or sense the stop. That's why a ran off them on my first attempt to change my oil. I had to use my floor jack to get them out. Nothing was damaged, but I sure couldn't drive any where.

I actually prefer the original canister. To me, it is much more substantial in case you happen on some road debris. (I already dented my pan once a number of years ago). The repo versions are about half the gauge thickness, so that is my second choice. I can get Wix filters for either cartridge or spin on filters at a nearby independent auto parts store. They give me wholesale prices as they honor my GM retiree ID card, so I order in larger quantities and they stock them just for me. I can't find them in any of the chain stores.

Stu Fox

[Jack J.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

you realize most new cars are going back to the canister.

Please enlighten those who would like to know which new cars. Jack J.

[Joe L.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Please enlighten those who would like to know which new cars. Jack J.

Jack-------


Among others, all GM vehicles with DOHC V-6 engines since 2002 and most Porsches for at least the past several years.

They use a different style canister system than the one of days bygone, but it's still a cartridge-type oil filter. Much smaller, though (just like most of the current-day spin on filters).

[Stuart F.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

Doesn't anyone know anything about spin on filters, relative to whether those with built in PRV's are adequate for my 63 L-76 engine?

Stu Fox

[Joe R.]

Re: Spin On Oil Filter Conversion Kits

I'm hoping that some of the experienced folks here can answer Stuart's original question. I have the same question.

I am definitely switching to a spin-on filter for an engine that I'm building right now, so I don't want to debate canisters versus spin-on filters. I simply want to use the "best" spin-on adapter and the "best" spin-on filters.

In researching spin-on adapters I realized that there are two types, as Stuart noted in his original post. One type is a pure add-on that leaves the original bypass valve in place. The other type completely replaces that assembly with an adapter that contains no bypass valve. The rationale for using the second type is that all(??) spin-on filters already contain a built-in pressure release valve.

I decided to purchase the Trans-Dapt version of the type that contains no pressure release valve. This seemed like a cleaner way to go that involves fewer gaskets, and also avoids redundant pressure relief valves.

I'm curious as to whether GM eliminated the external pressure relief valve when they switched their production designs to use spin-on filters starting around 1970(?) or so. In other words, does the Trans-Dapt unit that I bought simply duplicate what GM did when they switched to spin-on filters?

I have not installed the Trans-Dapt unit yet, and I have the same question Stuart has. Namely, is one style better than the other?