Hi Guys and Girls.... I am having a problem getting an oil filter to seat proper on my 68 327 and wondering if anyone else has the same issues.

I have a 1968 C3 with a 327 in it, I'll try to describe the problem as best I can. The problem is the oil filter leaks around the rubber seal. The rubber seal on the oil filter only comes in contact with the matting surface on the block about 1/32 inch on the very outside edge of the seal. The only way I can stop it from leaking is stop tightening the oil filter as soon as the rubber seal comes in contact with the matting surface on the block. If I give the filter that extra 1/4 turn, the rubber seal slides off the matting surface on the block and the oil leaks out. The problem with that is I am afraid it will loosen up while I am going down the road and I’ll have a major problem. It is almost like it is missing something. According the casting number on the block it is a 1968 327 and it is the original L79 with VIN numbers matching engine. I understand that prior to 1968 they used a canister type oil filter, so this engine should be setup for the spin on type filter, but something is not right. I am not sure how the canister filter attaches but I am wondering if a prior owner or the plant converted these engines for spin-on type filters or if I need to have a canister filter for this car, or what I don’t know, I am grabbing at straws at this point. I have the engine out of the car at this time as I am rebuilding it so I have assess to everything if you need me to check something or need pictures. Any light on this or suggestions would be helpful. I can't believe I am the only person that has this problem. Thanks in advance, Mike
Problem resolved, see fix below.

 

What brand oil filter???

 

Pictures of the mating surface without and with the filter would be good.

 

Sounds like you are buying the wrong oil filter for the block design in your car. Do you know where the block came from (model of Chevy and year)? If you do, you should be buying a filter for that model and year car.

 

He shows here that he's sure his is the original engine.

 

Put a Delco on it for 327 block...should work ok....unless there is an issue with mating surface....???

Rich

 

i think you need to see if has an adapter from the cannister filter to the spin on type.......it seems to me that you are guessing at what the oil filter should be.......who knows what type adapter plate was put on that car.....i would measure it or measure the current filter diameter and then look for a filter smaller then that ......let me find the website...or alternatively spend $20 and get a new adapter that you know what filter is made to go on it.



http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlook...asp?Part=51069

 

It is the orginal 1968 327, I am not guessing, I am using AC Delco PF-25 & -35, but any brand I try leaks. The problem is that the rubber seal on the filter is not coming in enough contact with the matting surface on the block. I'll get a picture of it posted. I wondering if anyone else ran into this problem. I think the fix is going to be to order a canister conversion kit and see what comes in the kit. Thanks for the replys.

 

Are the threads bogured up on the filter or the part that is on the block. I have had bad filters that had bad threads on them do this. It also screws up the part on the block. Make sure your threads are in good shape.

 

My perfectly assembled LT-1 started showing signs of oil leaks on the drivers side of the oil pan. I discovered after quite a bit of searching that the oil filter mounting adapter (part with filter threads) that bolts to the block was starting to crack and fail. I went with a Canton billet adapter and have never had problems since.

 

I just installed my spin on conversion adapter yesterday on my 68 327. I'll try to take it back off and snap some pics for you. Not sure if it leaks yet, can't fire the engine.
Perk

Here is one shot I already have of the block before I installed any oil filter adapter:

 

just my 2 cents but i allways put a thin coat of grease on the filter gasket helps seal the filter an comes of with out ripping the gasket i know most people use oil but my experience from doing many many filters works best for me allways make sure to check for old gasket sticking to block have missed them my self

 

Thanks everyone. I am using the correct filter and the threads are fine. The rubber seal on the filter just does not come in enough contact with the block to form a good seal. I have a picture of what I am talking about, but for some reason I can't get the picture of it to load onto the fourm. I thank "sperkins" for the picture. At this point I think ordering a new conversion kit is the answer.

 

For help posting pics, read the PDF that the following link takes you to. It'll walk you through all of the easy steps.

http://photos.imageevent.com/durango...g%20Images.pdf

 

I have had two occasions where the old rubber gasket did not come off when the filter was changed. When the new filter was installed, it tried to seal but the old rubber ring would not allow that. When the filter is off, the car is jacked up, and with a good flashlight, can you see the groove for the filter ring? I have had to use a dental pick to remove the filter ring before.

Gary

 

This is such an odd problem, and if I'm understanding correctly you just need a spin on oil filter that's got a slightly larger seal diameter right?

 

if the threaded part inside the filter were recessed deeper would it give you the tightening capacity you needed?

 

I haven't had a chance to get to the garage and take some more pics, but I wanted to share this thread I stumbled on a few weeks ago.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1526967

 

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions, but I have finally figured out the cause of the leaking oil filter. It turns out that back in 1968, when GM had the block drilled for the oil port where the oil filter is attached, the port was drilled off center about 1/8 of and inch. 1/8 of an inch does not sound like much, but this caused the oil filter to be off center. With the oil filter off center part of the rubber seal on the oil filter came in full contact with the block and the other half was barely touching. This caued oil to leak out of the side where the rubber seal was barely touching. The fix was to drill out the casting on which the oil filter screws onto which gave me enough play to adjust it to be in the center of the opening. Problem resolved, the oil filter now sits smack dab in the center and no more leaks. Tested it today and no leaks for the first time in 39 years...... yippie.... I talked to the last two owners of this car and they both said it always leaked oil and that they just learned to live with it. They both thought it was leaking from the oil pan or the rear bearing. Not sure if anyone else is living with this problem, but if you are you now know what to check for.
Mike