oil filter

[scusi]

What modern oil filter fits my 79 spider? The one that I have been using does not seal well and leaks.

[AriK]

Filters will leak if you tighten them after they are set, the seal makes a bond when the engine warms up after initial installation. Or someone installed anything that screwed on.

AC Delco PF2194
ACDelco PF13
Fram PH7, or PH3512 if there's no space
Purolator L20020
72-137 (big one) or Bosch 72-150 (if there's no space)
Mann 71915
AR sells UFI ($$) and K&N with check valve

[baltobernie]

There's also a possibility that the gasket from a previous installation has stuck to the housing. When the new filter is installed, the old gasket tears, and there's your leak. Always check the filter and housing when replacing the filter.

[scusi]

Thanks to all that replied. I always clean the gasket seat area with a cloth to make sure that there is nothing on it. I may have been over tightening the filter.

[baltobernie]

"Scusi" if you already know this, but a light film of new or old oil on the gasket, then tighten by hand only one-half revolution after the gasket touches the housing.

My favorite general-purpose filter for the Spider is the Wix 51189, also available from NAPA labeled 1189.

[Frog2Spider]

.... and all auto parts stores have the oil filter reference books that provide the proper canister for the engine.
Using the specified filter is also important.

One other thing you might check is the oil pressure sending unit fittings. I found that mine had a little leak, and the oil was reservoiring around the lip of the filter canister.

Dave.

[scusi]

Thank you all, again. I just haven't trusted the oil filter books in the parts stores. The filter really looks big for the application.

[zachmac]

Thank you all, again. I just haven't trusted the oil filter books in the parts stores. The filter really looks big for the application.

It is indeed a relatively large filter, much bigger than most modern applications.

[Squidders]

This is a good article on filters

http://dcfiats.org/tech/filter-B.pdf

The Clean DO 224 looks to be the best of the 8 tested.

[baltobernie]

One other thing you might check is the oil pressure sending unit fittings. I found that mine had a little leak, and the oil was reservoiring around the lip of the filter canister.

The sending units themselves can also leak at the plastic/metal joint. There's no fix for this other than replacing the sender.

Since the above-mentioned article was published, I've received some criticism (probably justified) that filter media area size is not the best way to rank oil filter effectiveness. While I would definitely steer clear of the lowest-spec filters in my test, any filter you're likely to find is probably sufficient for use in your Spider, particularly when only driving a few thousand miles per year.

[Frog2Spider]

Trust the guides. They've been around for a long time!

Stay away from Fram.

Purolater is the best, and best priced at BiMart and WalMart.

Dave.

[Frog2Spider]

Trust the guides. They've been around for a long time!

Stay away from Fram.

Purolater is the best, and best priced at BiMart and WalMart.

Dave.