SBC BBC oil filter leak possible fix

Please note that the filters in the video are for representation only. No recommendations of brand or application intended as I know this is a huge debate in some circles. I will say that personally I avoid the e-core type and the type with the thin little sheet metal top. If it looks and feels like it was made 20 years ago, that's typically what I've got ha ha.
I have seen posts on a few internet forums from people with an oil filter leak they couldn't seem to get fixed. I posted some pics and the basic info on GM's oil filter spec change on Team Camaro several years ago but thought I'd make a vid where it might be found easier. This is an option to look into if the oil filter adapter, block, and oiling system all seem to check out fine.
GM changed the specifications several years ago for their small block and big block oil filter. It is smaller in diameter than original which in some cases can lead to oil leaks at the filter seal. I found this about seven years ago and have run across a handful of people with this problem. In every case, finding an "old size" filter fixed the problem. The old size filter had a seal with outside diameter of about 3.55" whereas the newer filter has a seal with outside diameter of about 3.35". Depending on how much meat there is on your block's oil filter boss this could be just enough to push the inside edge of the filter seal past the edge of the oil filter boss's edge and cause it to pinch or otherwise not seal ideally when installed. ~0.20" diameter difference might not sound like much overall as it equates to 0.10" difference in position of the seal-to-boss contact point, BUT keep in mind that the oil filter seal is only about 0.18" wide itself.
If you've got a problem with a leaky oil filter and everything else seems to check out good, this may be your fix. The easiest way to check in the store is to cut out a 3.5" circular piece of paper or cardboard (an old oil filter box works good) to compare to the filter seals. The "new" size will be smaller than 3.5", the "old" size will be larger. It seems like I've had better luck looking at truck application filters as I've seen pretty much every brand change their car application filter to the smaller size.

[@greym6436]

Thanks for the info. I have a 05' colorado z71 4wd w/ 3.5l. Never had any issues with oil leaks until I let a Napa shop change my oil. Looks like they used a cheap filter! Hopefully its due to a witness-mark in the seal o-ring. Thx for your vid!

[@countrysoul2592]

One problem I had with an ACDelco is the gasket slipped off and I didn't know it I lost 2 and 1/2 quarts before I figured out what happened. It's a tight hole that you have to run the filter down in front of the engine. Accidentally the gasket flipped off and I didn't realize it.

[@robertovillalobos6466]

thanks for the info I will try this, I rebuild a 327 for 69 impala when to crank the engine and all 4-5 qts spilled out.

[@cool68gtcs97]

Thank you so much... this is happened to my 68 Corvette L79 327 thanks so much

[@miguelgallegos7321]

I got a 327 in my sand rail and have this problem but I have to run a oil relocation kit due to clearance issues and the relocation kit leaks

[@VictorRivera-xt1nl]

I have this problem on a 307 sbc. I have lost so much oil because everytime i instal a different filter it all spills out. Im going to see if a find that superflow or similar. Thanks!