VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum Canadian built 1948 Fleetline

I have a Canadian built 1948 Fleetline with a 216 engine. It has the manifold mounted oil filter. I have been unable to souce a replacement filter for this unit. The ones sold by The Filling Station will not fit. Does anyone have any idea what the correct replacement would be, considering it was built in Canada?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

The problem is not that it was built in Canada but what make of filter was installed on the car as the car did not come with an oil filter.
Some times you can get a number off of the old filtering element.

I would take the cartridge, put it in a ziplock bag and take it to a FLAPS.

Thanks for the replies. My problem is that there was no cartridge in the cannister. I bought a barn find basket case that had been torn down 58 years ago. I drove it for the first time last week and now I would like to find an oil filter for it. There are no ID markings on the cannister so i will keep looking!

Hi RayH

IF you have an AC filter as supplied by Chevrolet,
you probably need a Napa 1006
or a Wix 51006.

The Napa filter looks identical to the Wix and it appears that the Napa IS in fact a Wix.

If you can take a couple good pictures of the filter from different angles and post them here, we may be able to tell you what you have.

The Wix 51006 fits this Fram canister.

When all else fails get two 1/8" pipe plugs and remove the filter. tt really is not necessary

Wix 51006 also fits the S-6 series AC filters.

If the filter was installed when the car was new or there abouts,
and if it's an AC filter,
it's quite likely an AC SC-646.

So, if it's an S-6 series AC (used right up to 1962), or an early Fram, it looks like the Wix 51006 or the Napa 1006 will work in both.

PS
If it is the Wix 51006 you need,
I get them at Sutherland Automotive in Saskatoon.
And of course Napa stocks the other.

There were at least 10 different companies that made oil filters for a 216 engie and all most all used different elements,
Is the any hint as to the original olor of the canister?
In 1948 the AC was yellow, 1950 and up bright blue, Frams were orange and Wix an off white.

The next problem will be the lines crackig.

Hey guys
Thanks a lot for the tips. I will try to get some photos in the morning. I would like to keep a filter because the cat has a newly rebuilt engine, as of about 55 years ago!!!
It runs perfectly with very good oil pressure. I already put new lines on the pressure and discharge ports so all I need is a cartridge.

Using some of the numbers listed above research the specs to determine the correct element. Center post diameter height and width should be the determining factor . The color of the shell may help to determine the manufacturer however most made elements to fit all.

So the inside of the filter should seal around the pipe. The filter needs to fit into the container of course. So those are the parameters that define what you need.

Yes

Also, the little hole in the side of the center pipe should be INSIDE the filter element when the element is fully seated in the canister.
Usually the the top of the element will be about level with the top of the canister when installed, so that should also give you an indication of the length of filter you are looking for.

Hi all, just a quick update:
Since my last post, I was able to find a complete filter that was mounted on the remains of a 1939 MD sedan that was beyond saving. The filter is a Fram unit that had a Fram C3 element so i will mount that on my 48. The same car had an oil bath air cleaner that I needed and also an accessory "Universal Top End Oiler" mounted on the firewall. I am searching for a replacement glass jar since the original is cracked. I also scored a good W1 Carter that is very rebuildable if I ever need it. Also, So the old 39 will live on for another life.
Also, and what led me to the 39, was a replacement for a pitted front wheel inner bearing. The 39 hub was in good condition with a good bearing and seal. Unfortunately, I found out that the 39nused a smaller spindle than my 48 so I have gone ahead and ordered a tapered wheel bearing kit from the Filling Station. I will let you know how that works when it arrives.

While the 1939 carburetor will fit on your 1948 it is calibrated much richer than the 1948 and had a smaller throat.

Thanks for the info. The carb seems intact and very rebuildable as I said so I will keep it in case someone else ever needs it. It even has the brass tag on the bowl screw.
I believe the air cleaner is correct for my car and I was happy to find a good bearing for my car or so I thought, LOL, so not a wasted effort. There seems to be very few old chev cars left in this part of Saskatchewan so its worth it to save what we can. The scrappers and crushers are picking the country clean!!!

I had the air cleamer application just reversed. had a 1948 (US) style oil bath on my 1939. There was some differences between the years (and udges never notices).
I do not know about 1948 but in the 1950s Canada did not use the same AC air cleaners as were used in the US. That goes for a number of under hood items such as horns also, Seems Canada did not use all the Delco and AC products.''

The Fram C-3 oil filter was the seconed most common oil filter used on Chevrolets in the US......AC most common. The C-3 was used on quite a few other makes of cars and trucks and repacement elements are easy to find,