Selecting Small Block Chevy Oil Filters - What are the choices? Do they all filter the same?

Oil filter sizes for many engines have become smaller over the years as technology advances. For my 305 Chevy 3rd Gen Camaro, I currently choose to use one of the larger sizes. One of my viewers asked why I do this. I thought it was a good time to make the comparison of what has been used on Chevrolet engines over the years. I included some comparison with my GM based Mercruiser engines as well.
I explain what the factors are in choosing an oil filter and what to watch out for. Some filters have anti-drainback valves and some have bypass valves. Choosing the wrong filter can damage your engine.
There is also a factor called Beta Ratio that measures the efficiency of the filtration of each filter. I will show what that factor is and where you can find it in the filter specs.
NOTE: You must be careful, because if you don't use the correct filter from the catalog, the filter warranty will be voided.
DISCLAIMER: In my videos and written or text comments, I provide demonstrations, suggestions, and opinions on techniques, methods, and materials for various projects. While I try to be accurate, there are no guarantees, expressed or implied, that my information is correct and will work for you. If you wish to use any of this information, you must check and verify that it is appropriate for your use - use it at your risk. Do-it-yourself projects are variable and there are risks in conducting them.

[@AV131082]

Interesting fact about the anti-drain back valve, thanks for the video!

[@rickkimble8634]

Excellant info as usual,

[@mikebruegger8654]

So glad I took your class. Looking forward to the next one!

[@bitsofwisdom460]

Thank you.

[@budsodalsky]

I never knew they quit making the good ole pf25/pf35. On my 73 z-28, when a teenager, I used pf35 because soneone tipped me off that it was alot more filter for your oil - than the shorty - pf25. By the way, I watched another man's video who was discussing the chevy 4 cylinder "iron duke" which became the s-10 4 cylinder 2.5 L. Just another take on annold subject. Thanks for the beta explanation! Engineering can be simple with men like you taking the time to share! I presume your "college days fram experience" was good ole purdue days in "temps at 0°" was Indiana - Michigan winters!

[@bitsofwisdom460]

Yes, in those days I was making the run from W. Lafayette to home in South Bend. They were brutally cold years in the late '70s. My worst January day was (-)27 F on a particular Sunday morning, along with a weekend that didn't get above (-)15 for 3 days. Interestingly, South Bend would get really cold, but the lake effect clouds would limit the lows to -15 or so, while Lafayette was clear of the lake and had crystal clear night skies. That (-)27 F was not even a record. The Purdue farm down the road said their record for that day was like (-)35 from about 1880. So, yes those winters challenged my Mustang. If we had synthetic oil in those days, I would have used it. 10W-30 conventional was really not good enough.

[@budsodalsky]

@@bitsofwisdom460 Thats true! I never thought of that! the oils we were using were not good at such harsh temperatures! Do you remember, how the "climate" scare in those days was the coming new "ice age"?

[@bitsofwisdom460]

@@budsodalsky Yes, the ice age was supposedly coming. Instead, those brutal "once in a century" cold years have been used as the baseline for all the alleged man made warming occurring since then.

[@111000100101001]

Excellent discussion of filters and size changes over the years. I’ve also tinkered with longer and shorter filters on engines over the years. I even put one of those super long 2 quart bus filters on my 350 sbc when in high school since the price was right. Now I run Wix or Purolator 34631 on my 454.

[@NotmeGK123]

im old jhon deere parts guy so kinda like all the details lol companies well sell people dog and swear its a cat lol if person dont know any better any thing to make a dollar

[@benji7001]

51069 is what, I use this in my 86 IROC Z and it was full of oil when change the oil. Likewise started using. Valvoline VR1 10w30 and motor is lot quieter and smoother. I remember back in 80's there was oil filter that held one quart of oil. Guess they do not make them anymore?

[@bitsofwisdom460]

I think that as filtration technology progresses, there just isn't a need for as much volume. I think that some of the tall filters hold quite a bit, but I don't know if any actually make it to a quart.

[@kalani1987]

Interesting topic. I have a L76 motor and have a back supply of the older PF48 filters. My question is when I run out of those, would the newer PF48E suffice? I think the differences are the E cores use a plastic cage and felt end caps. Thanks

[@ITZ_CHERRY4EVER]

Yes, i heard the E means they changed to using plastic instead of metal inside. I don't really like that idea but they always look to make more $ in the end, atleast some companies do anyway.

[@ITZ_CHERRY4EVER]

I switched to using Mobil1 full synthetic oil and mobil1 filter. It has been doing well for my cars so I'll stick to it. I think the main thing is regular oil n filter changes is the most important anyway.

[@111000100101001]

I believe the Purolator L12222 has the metal core. Pretty east to look into the center outlet to verify what’s in there.

[@bitsofwisdom460]

I would double check the AC Delco catalog to be sure it is still their current recommendation, as they do sometimes update them. I know there are some concerns expressed by people about E core and plastic parts, but I will still go to the AC Delco validation statements. They claim that the parts are validated for the application. If you go to the catalog, they have specs for burst pressure and so forth. Engineered polymers (AKA "plastic") are quite good if properly designed and specified for the requirements of the application.

[@AV131082]

Rewatching the video makes me think, if the oil filter is longer than the shorter ones you mentioned, chances are higher for it to retaing more particles than a shorter filter then?

[@bitsofwisdom460]

Well, it depends. If you look at the Wix filter specs, they claim the same Beta efficiency values for each of them. That means that they are equally effective at removing particles. That suggests that they likely have similar filtration area, or perhaps they use a combination of different media and different area to achieve the same result. When they design a filter, there are a number of ways to get equivalent filtration area into a "can". You might find that they put fewer folds of paper into a taller filter can to get the same area. So, while we think that the longer filter is better, it could only be that they changed the shape of the paper resulting in the same effective area in each filter. It seems logical that larger filter cans can hold more volume, but I think you would find that when the filter media reaches capacity, there aren't many more particles in the filter can. It doesn't fill up with particles. When my first engine failed and wiped the cam lobes, I cut the filter. The media was saturated and the oil was full of small metal particles, but there was no accumulation in the bottom of the can.

[@AV131082]

@@bitsofwisdom460 thanks for the explanation, makes total sense! 👌🏼🧐

[@offshore50]

Here for support

[@bitsofwisdom460]

Thank you

[@neilmiller6405]

Too much wisdom for me.