VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Oil Filter for '37 216

I need to get a new oil filter for my '37 216 engine. I believe that I have an original canister type filter. It mounts on the drivers side of the engine and it is painted orange.

Thanks,

Rich

If the oil filter is from 1937 it would be mounted on the firewall and would be a throw-away type, not the canister type with lid.. I would suspect you have a later Fram and I would begin by trying a Fram C3 element. You could remove the present element, measure the heigth, diameter and size of the center shaft (measure shaft its self). Then go to an auto patrs store and compare to the Fram C3. This is a popular element as it was used on many applications ,cars and tractors, and most parts stores stock them. I would bet money that you have the C3 as it was a common add on filter in the later years. Other than that there are about two dozen other brands. :(

Gene,

Thanks for the information. The unit that I have came with the car and truth be told, I really don't know what was original to the car. I have been looking at other '37's that have been for sale on ebay. The main reason is that people post lots of pictures and I have been archiving these photos to assist me in getting my car reassembled.

I still have some mystery parts, but, for the most part, I am getting my boxes of "stuff" pretty well identified.

Rich

My filter is indeed a Fram unit. The top bolt that holds the top on the can has a C 5 on it, but I have not had any luck at the local auto parts store. I did measure the old filter and have ordered a replacement from Chevs of the 40's. They had one the same size as the old one.

Thanks,

Rich

And that will be the Fram C3 element I mentioned. Most parts stores have them for about $5.00.

Autozone does have the Fram C3 filter for $7.50. They don't stock it, but can get it in a few days.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I have been getting most of my parts from Chevs of the 40's and a little stuff from Autozone.

Is there another good source of parts that I have missed?

Thanks,

Rich

Rich

The Filling Station: www.fillingstation.com

:) :grin:

Hey Rich,

The Filling Station



Bill.

In addition to those others have listed I also have used NAPA.

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the suggestions. I must admit that I am partial to using a website to compare prices and availablitiy. Some of the websites say to "call" for prices. That is one extra level of effort, plus perhaps a long distance phone call and that does not work well at 10:00pm Saturday evening when I may be looking for the one small 25 cent item that cost $200 that I am in need of.

Rich

Just an update on the oil filter. I did purchase one from Chevs of the 40's and it is a perfect fit. This week, I ordered 4 C-3 Fram oil filters. They are too small. As I mentioned before, there is a C-5 stamped on the nut that holds the top cover on the filter. I guess that I will see if there is a Fram C-5 and hope they will take back the Fram c-3's.

Rich

Rich, Sounds like your car is progressing nicely.

Just in case the referral names & numbers you have don't work out, I was able to take the No's, & measurements for my "former" Fram unit to an auto parts store. As recommended on this web site, they looked up the size, part #, etc. in a WIX catalog and found just what I needed.

Soon I'll be installing an OEM L-4, I purchased and selling a nice FRAM Oil Filter.

Enjoy the ride,
Michael41

Mike,

I don't know what an L-4 is, but the Fram unit that I have is working just fine, I just wanted to find a local supplier for the filters rather than pay Chevs of the 40's double the cost of what I thought the filters should cost. I just need to determine exactly what I need.

I will see if the locals have a WIX catalog too.

And yes, the car is progressing nicely. Last weekend I started to install all of the missing bolts on the body. Fenders, running boards were only held on by about 1/2 the bolts. I am also completing the wiring and will soon be installing seat belts and turn signals. Paint and completion of the upholstery kit are still in the future, maybe this year if all goes well.

Thanks,

Rich

Rich,
Check out the WIX site below. You can enter any manufacturer's number (without any dashes, etc.) and not only get a comparable WIX number, but you can also get the physical dimensions of the filter. Might save you from the 'buying & trying' method.

My filter takes a Fram C-21, if that helps.
-Bob

http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/index.asp

The Fram C3 is for a Fram filter. It will be smaller but no reason that it will not work if it fits over the center post. The proper Fram element for a the common AC is a C4. Would be the same as an AC P-115. They are "on the shelf" at some parts houses. Can also be found at some Farm/Tractor stores as they were used on tractor engines (Like Tractor Supply). Also they have the lowest prices.
Not necessary to change the filter with every oil cahnge. Originally they recommended changing it every 6000 miles. I change mine every 5000 miles or 2 years, longer time if few miles are driven.

Bob,

Thanks for the information.

I looked for your C-21 on the WIX site, but it is not listed. I do have the dimensions for the C-3 and will check with what I have at home.

The filter I got from Chevs of the 40's has marks on it, but no brand. Maybe I can cross reference it somehow.

Rich

Have you tried NAPA? They always come through for me.

Wow, this site is amazing, more info & knowledge here than we could pay for.
Sounds like you've got the car well under control Rich. Good for you.

And not that you need this but as an interest, my local auto parts store {Torrance Ca} looked in the WIX catalog and there were about 50,000+++ cross references.

I'm changing my oil tomorrow {12 months, 600 miles} and I was surprised to read I do not have to change the oil filter as well. Hmmmm!

Oh the L-1 & L-4 were some what of a "Chevrolet Dealers Parts Department" oil filters so I was told. L-1 being for Trucks, L-4 for cars. They attach to the exhaust manifold using a brace/flange that slides over one of the carb. bolts and then the exhaust manf. bolt's. It does NOT use the typical "U" shaped bolts like others.

Continued success Rich.
Enjoy the ride,
Michael41
Spell check is not working today so pardon the typoooos

Somewhere in my notes, I was also told that the Fram C4P would work too. I looked at the dimensions on the WIX site and it looks like it will work. I ordered some and they should be in tomorrow. My filter is a Fram, but it has the u-bolts that attach to the intake manafold. I will let you know if it works.

Rich

See my post -four back. If you really have a Fram filter they will be too large. I suspect that you have an AC filter that was painted orange and aa Fram Decal installed.

Gene,

I am pretty sure that it has been repainted. It does have a Fram decal, and it is just about worn off. The body is painted orange and the top is painted black. The top of the top bolt has a C5 on it.

As I have noted before, I got the car disassembled. The oil filter was not installed on the car, but was in a box with a lot of other stuff. I don't have the experience or personal knowledge to tell what is original or a correct accessory. I do know this, I did buy the larger of the two filters offered by Chevs of the 40's and it was a perfect fit. With what I now know about the sizes, the smaller of the two filters offered by Chevs of the 40's is likely equal to the Fram C3.

If I do have the AC filter, what color should it be?

Thanks again for your valuable assistance,

Rich

If its an AC what color should it be....it depends. First the 1937-38 did not have a manifold mounted oil filter. It mounted on the firewall and the complete filter was discarded when changed. It did not have an replaceable element and was plumbed with metal lines. The AC filters were gray from 1939-42. Yellow with a blavk lid from 1946-49. Bright blue with an orange lid from 1950-62. If you purchased an installation kit for a 1937 in 1950 you would have recieved the 1950 orange and blue filter.\
If you ordered an oil filter as a factory installed option (most ere dealer installed) in 1950 it wold have been the same filter but painted black. Seeing the filter is incorrect for a 1937 (if it was installed in 1937) , you could paint it any of the above colors. Basic black always looks good. :)

Gene,

You forgot to mention the Red, White and Blue color combination, a good choice for today (V-E Day.)

I think I will repaint it in the current colors, orange body, black top. A little color under the hood is nice.

I did install the oil bath air filter that you saw a picture of a few weeks ago. I removed the nasty black paint and painted it fresh Chevy orange. My original air filter was repainted orange. I don't know what the factory color was, but the orange looks good.

Rich