Oil Filter Tightness ?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
In my 1st rebuild I had the engine out on the stand so I put the filter on with both hands and tightened it down pretty well. Getting it off for the first 500 mile break in was tough. Used a filter wrench, crushed it. Drove the screwdriver thru and ripped the case off. I ended up beating the filter base off with a hammer and chisel after ripping everything else off trying to get it. That was a hard learned lesson. Now its hand tight only.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I would be willing to bet I've installed well over 100 oil filters on my cars over the years. All were one half turn hand tightened past gasket contact. I've never had one come loose or leak. The only time I've ever had to use a wrench to loosen one is when some grease monkey before me cranked it down 100 times too tight.
I have a giant pair of Channellocks that does wonders for removing other people's errors.
I have a giant pair of Channellocks that does wonders for removing other people's errors.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I would be willing to bet I've installed well over 100 oil filters on my cars over the years. All were one half turn hand tightened past gasket contact. I've never had one come loose or leak. The only time I've ever had to use a wrench to loosen one is when some grease monkey before me cranked it down 100 times too tight.
I have a giant pair of Channellocks that does wonders for removing other people's errors.
I have a giant pair of Channellocks that does wonders for removing other people's errors.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,427
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
I would be willing to bet I've installed well over 100 oil filters on my cars over the years. All were one half turn hand tightened past gasket contact. I've never had one come loose or leak. The only time I've ever had to use a wrench to loosen one is when some grease monkey before me cranked it down 100 times too tight.
I have a giant pair of Channellocks that does wonders for removing other people's errors.
I have a giant pair of Channellocks that does wonders for removing other people's errors.
I do all my own oil changes and never had one come loose just hand tightening the filter and i've been driving for over 28 years now.And no, i can't get under the car without raising it, need pics of this being done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Hand tighten only. I learned that lesson the hard way years ago. 
PS: the only filter that ever leaked on any car I owned was a Fram. I haven`t used that brand for years so I don`t know if quality has gotten any better.
PS: the only filter that ever leaked on any car I owned was a Fram. I haven`t used that brand for years so I don`t know if quality has gotten any better.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 66,911
Likes: 86
From: Santa Cruz CA
St. Jude Donor '15
Hand tighten is best. Once the gasket seals against the metal, you're good to go. I've sometimes run into filters that were so tight and I couldn't get a filter wrench on, so I had to poke a screwdriver into it to loosen it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I do it by hand until it's tight, then 1/4 turn by wrench.
Btw.... with all of the interesting and complex problems and questions on this forum.... why in the hell has the one lasted 6 days and 30+ posts?
Btw.... with all of the interesting and complex problems and questions on this forum.... why in the hell has the one lasted 6 days and 30+ posts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
