GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

[Christopher R.]

Go see:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1955314

[Chuck S.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

Wow...The more things change, the more weird they get. I wonder why GM would do this?...Just for the resto market?...Have a supplier doing all the dirty work?

Thanks for the update, Chris, I hadn't seen that yet. That loud scream in the background?...that was Corvette vendors that sell repro filters feeling the pain of all those $20 bills slip-slidin' away.

[Patrick H.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

I wonder if GM is buying the current repro PF-25 and reboxing it, or what these filters really are.

I note that the upper bead appears to be (incorrectly) painted.

Patrick

[Chuck S.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

I wonder if GM is buying the current repro PF-25 and reboxing it, or what these filters really are.

I note that the upper bead appears to be (incorrectly) painted.

Patrick

Didn't someone say that the repros were incorrect but could be "fixed"? Is the new GM configuration the same as the repros, or is it different?

Maybe the General sees maintenance of the resto market as now worthwhile, and is simply squeezing the reproduction guys out by revoking their license? It is surprising that they would pursue such a small volume...unless all they had to do was sell it. I wouldn't be surprised if production continues by the same manufacturer that made the repros, and shipping will simply be diverted to GM with some minor packaging changes (Part No?)

[Donald O.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

Maybe the General sees maintenance of the resto market as now worthwhile, and is simply squeezing the reproduction guys out by revoking their license? It is surprising that they would pursue such a small volume...unless all they had to do was sell it.

I don't think that 900,000 units a year is a small volume.

[Dave S.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

GM or any vendor can reproduce them all they want. They will never look exactly like the originals.

[Christopher R.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

1. I saw the 900,000 number too. But I don't know enough about the automotive parts market to know if that's big or small.

2. It says that the media is Duraguard. Wasn't that the new and better stuff that they put in later model oil filters? Are we getting the improved version in the old can?

3. $14.81 dealer cost will translate into what at retail?

[Chuck S.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

1. I saw the 900,000 number too. But I don't know enough about the automotive parts market to know if that's big or small.

2. It says that the media is Duraguard. Wasn't that the new and better stuff that they put in later model oil filters? Are we getting the improved version in the old can?

3. $14.81 dealer cost will translate into what at retail?

Probably large auto parts chain price would be $7-$8, but I don't think they'll stock them.

Last time I looked, my Pepboys seemed to be phasing out ACDelco filters of all catalog numbers...if you wanted Fram, Purolater, or some no name brand, you were good to go. And, frankly, that makes sense for the large parts chains...the average Joe comes in there with an itch to change his oil, he's probably not particular and will buy the cheapest filter he can find. You'll probably only be able to find these at the dealers, and maybe mail order through resto vendors...local stores won't waste the shelf ****e IMO.

I buy my other maintenance filters through GMPartsHouse.com anyway; a PF48 is like $4.82 each in a carton of six, plus reasonable shipping.

Edit: Alright, inquiring minds want to know...what in the blue blazes is wrong with the word "****e" (as in outer ****e) that the "****" gets the asteriks. Is that an ethnic slur in a foreign language? Com'n on, John...Give it up.

[William C.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

Fact is, AC Spark Plug is now a part of Delphi and they got out of the Oil Filter business as soon as they could, including scrapping all the tooling. I would highly suspect that anything now from GM is under the "restoration parts" banner, produced by who knows and of unknown quality.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

GM has not manufactured oil filters in-house in a LONG time. Since the spin-off of DELPHI, the filters were manufactured by DELPHI and labeled/packaged as AC-Delco. DELPHI is a supplier to GM just like any other supplier (Federal-Mogul, Walker, Allied Signal, etc.)

DELPHI has (or, very soon will) completely exit the oil filter manufacturing business. GM has been "phasing in" other oil filter manufacturers for quite some time. Champion Labs is one of the major suppliers. Champion initiated an oil filter manufacturing relationship with GM quite some time ago when the "Ultraguard", synthetic media filters were released (now, mostly discontinued). Champion produced all of the "Ultraguard" AC-Delco oil filters.

So, in the case of these "classic" AC-oil filters, I feel very confident that what GM did was simply provide a revised spec and purchase contract to Champion for these filters. It would be very easy for Champion to produce; they already manufacture filters under many labels/brands, so they just add another.

Actually, these filters were cataloged by Delco more than a year ago. However, I hadn't actually seen one until recently. Are they EXACT reproductions of the originals? I don't think so and I very much doubt it was GM's intention to manufacture 100% correct in every nuance of detail reproductions.

Quite frankly, I'm VERY glad that they did release these filters.

[Chuck S.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

Good to see you here on the new board with your expertise, Joe...Some of us were thinking you might be out of pocket today.

[John H.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

Actually, these filters were cataloged by Delco more than a year ago. However, I hadn't actually seen one until recently. Are they EXACT reproductions of the originals? I don't think so and I very much doubt it was GM's intention to manufacture 100% correct in every nuance of detail reproductions.

Quite frankly, I'm VERY glad that they did release these filters.

Joe, this project with AC-Delco was spearheaded by Steve Childs, President of Paragon; he's been working with them for over a year to make them available again, and Paragon is the GM licensee for them.

[Brad M.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

That is cool.

I am pretty sure that GM does not produce items sold through the AC Delco division, but just distributes them. (i.e. they are having someone else actually make these - but via logos or other intellectual property which GM could still own).

[Charles P.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

3. $14.81 dealer cost will translate into what at retail?

Probably around $20 to $25 which is what Paragon was charging before the pipeline dried up. Glad to see them available again.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM Is Re-Releasing AC Filters PF25 and PF35

That is cool.

I am pretty sure that GM does not produce items sold through the AC Delco division, but just distributes them. (i.e. they are having someone else actually make these - but via logos or other intellectual property which GM could still own).

Brad----

The only parts manufacturing operations that GM has anymore are powertrain related and metal stampings primarily for body parts. That's it. A lot of the powertrain components are outsourced, too. Virtually all AC-Delco parts are manufactured by outside suppliers.