VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Oil filter canister question

Hi all!! As we approach the spring and summer months,it's time to start on the pre meet/tour maintenance.I am going to change the oil and filter on my 235 and I have a question.I noticed soon after I bought the car,that oil was leaking from the oil filter cover.I replaced the gasket and it still leaks.How tight should the bolt be on the cover?I am wondering if I have tightened it too much and I'm crushing the new gasket.I need to get this leaking canister straightened out before I take it on a long trip.Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.A little more info....when I mean leak, I mean the oil is steadily coming out of the filter cover,not just a lazy drip. :confused:

I would suggest removing the cover and inspecting the condition of the gasket as well as the canister imprint in the gasket. These filters were never prone to leakage. I have used my gasket over three times with no lekage problems.

Have you inspected the gasket on the center bolt?

The gasket on the center bolt is almost non existant,however the oil is NOT leaking from there.If I go into an auto parts store,such as Napa or Car Quest,they look at me like I am speaking Greek.They keep trying to give me an oil filter for a mid 60's 250 and say,"this should fit"!! I don't bother with Pep Boys,they are more than useless when it comes to looking up parts for old cars.

I had the same problem with my filter last year so I took it off and changed all the fittings and the lines. While I had the filter off the truck I had it sand blaster and I painted it the correct color. When I put it back on the leak was not there and I was a happy camper. If you need another filter let me know, I have an extra one. Thanks...Oscar :) :)

Is your oil filter the correct length?

:) :grin:

That's a very good Question!! Maybe the filter I have in there is too tall? Can someone let me know what the proper filter I should be using by make or part number? I believe the canister is an AC model,but not sure.How can I tell? Thanks again all! Also thanks for the offer Oscar,just need to know what the part number or make of the filter is and I'll see if I can track one down.

Go to the Tech talk Forum and look at the AC Filter post. I think this is the filter you use. The car filters were behind the carb with the side oil fitting to the left and the trucks were in front of the carb with the side oil fitting to the right.The fittings were in different placec but the filter was the same size. If I am wrong I am sure the pro's will spank me. Good luck...Oscar :) :)

Oscar,
I was just about to ask this question! We have been working on our 1950 1/2 ton and we thought that it looked as though the oil cannister was originally mounted behind the carb, but that a previous owner had moved it in front for convenience. Thanks for straightening us out!

Is the top oil line on the right hand side or the left hand side on the filter when mounted to the manifold?

If you have the correct canister NAPA cartridge is the correct replacement. I use them in my 54 BelAir. I have also been told that if the filter is factory installed it should be black. I believe mine to be factory because of all the other acesories on the car but I have no proof except that mine is black.

The AC oil filter sed on 1947-62 Chevrolet cars and small trucks can be yellow and black, orange and blue or black.
These are the measurements of the filter. Caniste with out lid 7" tall. Tis is from top to bottom of canister. The straight side of the canister is about 5" tall. Its about 5" in diameter. The element would be about 4 1/2 " tand in diameter. The AC brand element is P-115 and the Fram is C 4.
The filter clamps to the front of the manifold on the 1954 and prior models. The inlet fitting is to the back of the filter (back of the car). From 1955 and up the filter clamps to the rear of the manifold and fitting to the front. The 1949-52 usually have a drain plug on the bottom to the rear.

I'm sorry. I left the NAPA number out of my post. It is 1100.

Here is a follow up to the leaking oil filter canister issue.It appears that the Wix filter that was in there before I purchased the car was a half inch taller than the P115 AC filter that I installed today.The bottom line is no more leaks,thanks to all especially JYD for the solution to the problem.On another note,when i changed the oil-10/30 pennzoil- I noticed that the engine was much quieter than before.The oil level on the dipstick was OK with the old oil,I guess the old oil was "tired".I guess I'll change the oil a little more often in the vehicle---what a difference!!