VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 55 oil filter

Is the oil filter on a '55 V8 265 very effective? I removed the cannister yesterday to deal with a water leak at the thermostat housing. This is the second time I've attemted to resolve this leak, and it would be easier to just leave the cannister off. But if it is really an effective filter I will put it back. Is this filter an accessory, or were all 265's equipped with it.
Thanks,
Sid

The oil filter was available either as a factory option (then it was painted black) or a dealer installed accessory. (then it was blue with an orange lid).
It was a by-pass type filter which means not all oil entering the system was forced through the filter when the oil was hot. That being said it did a good job of filtering the oil that did pass through the filter.
Under normal driving conditions that cars were subject to like short trip cold weather driving and dusty conditions I would elect to have a filter. For a collector car that gets driven under choice conditions the filter is not completely necessary. Changing oil once year or every 1000 to 1500 mies should be OK.
Back when the cars were newer the filter was to be changed every 6000 miles and the filter would usually have a couple inches of sludge trapped on the bottom and sludge visible on the filtering material.....they did work.
You might try using the later improved thermostat gaskets that GM sold, They had like a rubberized material on the gasket and resisted seepage much better. The gasket was used on various GM engines up into the '90's.

Regarding your persistent water leak, make sure you have all the old gasket material off and the metal gasket surfaces are clean and flat. Then use a new gasket with Permatex adhesive.

If your leak persists, carry a bottle of "Bars Leaks" radiator sealant for on road emergencies.

Yesterday I removed the oil filter cannister and the thermostat housing. I cleaned the top of the intake with a razor blade. I then bought a new housing and gasket from napa. The housing has a very flat machined surface. The gasket had a peel and stick glue on one side. I coated both sides with permatex ultra black. I found that one of the holes in the intake had weak threads, so I ran a tap through them. I used new bolts to make sure threads were good. I made sure both bolts were coated with sealer. I found an eighth inch deep crater of rust damage on one of the holes in the intake, so I filled it with sealer. I installed the housing making sure both bolts were tight. Today I filled the radiator with coolant, and checked for leaks with 7 lbs. of pressure. It leaked on the side where the rust crator and weak threads were.
I'll try again later. Where do I find the rubber gasket? Is there a better dealer? Any other suggestions?
I've replaced thermostats on several V8 chevies and never had this problem.
Sid

I would repair the "weak threads" using a heli-coil.

The rubberized gaskets were sold by Chevrolet dealers.
Two gaskets are required. One on each side of the oil filter bracket.

Years ago,when I first started messing with cars, I remember using Indian head shellac. Would that be a better sealant?
Sid

If you are referring to the rubber oil filter lid gasket, that comes with the filter unless you bought one of the Fram filters (C4 or C4P I think.One comes with.)

Wix 51100 or Napa 1100 come with gaskets.

Regarding the thermostat housing gaskets, most local parts stores have them. I like NAPA as they usually have more older parts in stock.

I like permatex #2. Works for me.

I fixed it! I installed a heli-coil, made a gasket out of rubberized material, which had round holes for the bolts instead of oval, cleaned and sanded the surfaces of the oil filter bracket, smeared permatex ultra on gasket surfaces, and bolted it all down tight. I let things dry overnight. This morning it held 7 pounds of pressure! I drove it and found no leaks when I got back. Thanks for the help guys.
Sid