I'm trying to generate some opinions regarding which filtering system is better. Cannister as original or spin on for efficiency. (We all know which is easier to change!). Al W.

 

I would guess the spin on type to be better. The cannister type from Ac Delco is manufactored off shore so Im in doubt of its quality. With a spin on type one has more options to choose and some are US made. The US manufactored filters are subcontracted and made by a Tennesee firm are are a higher quality than any off shore one. (Wix and Puralator are 2 made in the US)

 

Don't forget the 'new' spin high dollar 'canisters' I have one from System1 (I don't like it and use a WIX spin on now) and I have seen some others lately I think most use a cleanable filter element but they claim to have better filtration and flow than the paper types.

 

[QUOTE=67vetteal]I'm trying to generate some opinions regarding which filtering system is better. Cannister as original or spin on ..... QUOTE]

"better" is a subjective term.

what i always liked about the original design was; high burst strength, much more durable/puncture resistant, holds a lot of filter media (and oil). i'd consider it a superior design. I never minded cleaning the can and installing the seal ring (and yes, i always prefilled the canister/filter before installing).

If you asked the kids that work at your local "Quick Lube" i'm sure they consider the spin-ons "better".

I'm not sure who makes the canister filter cartridges now-a-days.... or their quality (compared to what's available in the spin-on filters)...... given equal quality filters, i'd certainly not convert to a spin-on.

 

One of the best names in filters is Baldwin out of Kearney, Nebraska. I bet most of you guys never heard of them, but they are widely used and respected in the HD truck and industrial equipment trade.

Their number for the AC PF-141 cartridge is P18.

Find a parts supplier that caters to the industrial equipment and HD truck trade and buy a case or two.

Duke

 

Duke - What is your personal opinion on WIX ?

 

Cartridge is best. PF 141 or equivalent element. Personally if I wasn't going to use AC I would go to Wix. I sold oil filters while working for Motorcraft and Wix made our long line. Ford made the top selling numbers, but the rest were made of Wix.

If there was an adapter to use a two stage filter like the Motorcraft FL-1 that would be the best. I can't remember if the GM spin on was two stage or not. Might have been FL-9. I know the 4.6 valve oil filters are single stage.

 

Wix, Purolator, and AC are okay. The only filter lines I specifically avoid are Fram and K&N.

Duke

 

Because they don't filter out the finer particles? Or because they clog easier? Or...? Do you put Fram's and K&N's air filters on the "avoid" list too? Fram sure has the most shelf space at the local Pep Boys and Kragen stores.

 

funny you mention them, as i type this, i'm looking at a huge box of various Baldwin filters a vendor brought in to service some temporany/skid mounted equipment we're installing as a contingency due to the heat wave.

re oil filter brands:
faster (on startup) flow?/higher flow under operating conditions?, filtration efficiency (particle size)?, many things to base your selection on. i tend to go with the filters/oils that result in the least amount of engine metals in the used oil..... seems like the bottom line, unless you're a racer that is after every single HP, and will be changing bearings/rebuilding before every trip to the track.

 

I don't care for K&N air filters and have discussed the detailed reasons many times - high priced junk sold by millions of dollars in advertising. I don't know specifically about their oil filters, but since I would never buy on of their air filters, I would certainly not spring for any of their other overpriced/overhyped products.

Fram's poor quality reputation is well known and a well known web site that documented the interior design and construction is often cited, and the link has probably been posted on this forum.

The most retail shelf space is usually given to the product line that has the highest margins to the retailer.

If I want a QUALITY filter, my first two choices are either an exact OE replacement or Baldwin!

Duke

 

I agree on K&N being overhyped. Magazine tests have shown no HP advantage to them at all. Didn't know about Fram's bad rep, unfortunately. I'll avoid them from now on. And look for the web site documenting their problems. Now to find a Baldwin dealer in this area... Thanks for the good info, as usual

Louie

 

This turned out to be a 1-minute search. Just go to
http://baldwinfilters.com/ and type in your zip code or country name. There are ten dealers within half an hour of where I live, several in San Jose. I call and get a couple of P18 filters tomorrow if they stock them. Thanks again Duke!

Louie

 

The oil analysis guys seem to have identified a correlation between the use of K&N air filters and increased silica?(sand) in used oil.

I'd bet most of the installed K&Ns don't have the proper oil film required for effectiveness...... why bother, I'd stick with good old replaceable paper elements for the street.

 

You may wish to view this interesting site http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html

I have been using the a/c canister element for over 30 years for my 409 and L-72 without any problems.

D.C.

 

A friend of mine who is a HD mechanic (works on HD trucks and industrial equipment) turned me on to Baldwin. The air filter for my Cosworth Vega was getting tough to find. The AC replacement number was different than OE, and it appeared to be poorer quality than the OE part.

It turns out the CV air filter element is identical to an element that's been used in Clark Equipment forklifts since the late forties and also truck refrigeration units. (The fuel filter is the same as used on GM Coach two-speed automatic transmissions from the same era, but that's a WHOLE other story).

At the time I was the Regional Director of the national club, so I got examples of all three - AC, Fram, and the Baldwin PA640, passed them around at a meeting and asked which one everyone would buy. The decision was unanimous - Baldwin! You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to see that the construction quality was clearly superior, and Baldwin uses a very high quality filter paper on their "heavy duty" line of filters, of which the PA640 is one. It also fit the air cleaner housing better. Either the Fram or AC or both were too long to fully seat the cover gasket to the housing.

We did a group buy - two or three cases, six to the case, and I think they ended up costing five bucks each.

Be sure to ask the Baldwin dealer to cross reference the PF-141. I doubt if the Baldwin number has changed, but my Baldwin cross reference catalog is about ten years old.

It does not show a listing for the AC/Delco A353C air filter for '63-'65 carbureted engines. Can you ask the dealer when you're there and let us know? Maybe it's been added. It was also used on some Cadillacs of the era or a little earlier.

Duke

 

I have a 67 327/350 with the original oil can still on it. What Baldwin cartridge would mine take?

 

Whatever I learn I'll post here.

 

I still use my cartridge in the cannister. I get WIX cartridges easily at Oreilly's in our part of the country...they usually stock a couple, but can order next day.

Joe

 

k&n no good ??? Duke