Oil filters

[GN]

The 318 motor in my 74 Charger is from a 71 unknown mopar. When buying an oil filter, I noticed that the 71 and 74 are differant sizes. The 71 filter being the longer of the two. Was this done for clearance problems? Would it hurt to use the shorter filter on the car? The motor is stamped for a 71 production date. The car is a 318 factory build.

[RECHRGD]

If they both will fit, I'd use the longer one.  More filter is better. Bob

[Ghoste]

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the reason for the 90* adaptor for the smallblock so that you could run the longer oil filter on your 340 when you had headers?  (the implication being that even the factory wanted you to run the longer one)

[GN]

Will the smaller one hurt the oil pressure? I do not drive it that much. I will use the longer one, but was wondering why the differance in sizes?

[Ghoste]

My guess is that its just a cost cutting measure?

[Silver R/T]

just don't run Fram on there

[RD]

all of the mopar filters use the same pitch thread and size, as well as the seal OD.  someone may have just put the 51515 Wix equivalent filter on the 318 because it has more surface area to filter.  same reason I put a 51743 (think that is the number, in the garage and have to check) diesel filter on my charger.  It holds 1 quart of oil!

of course.. the BB oil filter can afford to be bigger due to the placement of the oil pump.. whereas the small block location can lead to space requirements.

[WingCharger]

all of the mopar filters use the same pitch thread and size, as well as the seal OD.  someone may have just put the 51515 Wix equivalent filter on the 318 because it has more surface area to filter.  same reason I put a 51743 (think that is the number, in the garage and have to check) diesel filter on my charger.  It holds 1 quart of oil!

of course.. the BB oil filter can afford to be bigger due to the placement of the oil pump.. whereas the small block location can lead to space requirements.

How did you adapt a Oil Filter that big onto your engine?

[RD]

no adaptation required wing... it screws right on and i have a BB.  my power steering pump is mounted high on the water pump housing, so the belt does not interfere with the filters length.

[tan top]

don't know if this might be use full info while we a talking about oil filters ,  been using napa gold for last few oil changes , they sent me  short ones ,  thought they were wrong , but they said they are ok ... looked on their web site  for specs & the short ones flow more than the long type ,  only down side is loss of oil capasity a little , no biggie as i have a 7 quart oil pan , before this i only thought there was the long type filter for a RB

[Ghoste]

I went through a similar thing a short time ago.  One of the companies has delisted all of their Mopar long filters so when the parts suppliers punch your car into the computer the only thing that comes up as available are the short ones.  I substituted with a Ford number (and now I forget which one) and it was still good.

[62 Max]

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the reason for the 90* adaptor for the smallblock so that you could run the longer oil filter on your 340 when you had headers?  (the implication being that even the factory wanted you to run the longer one)

I seriously doubt the subject of headers had anything to do with the design of the oil filter adaptor.I would think it would be more of a filter clearance/ease of changeability issue than anything else.Visualize a full length filter directly off the block even with a standard exhaust system.,probably real tight if it would even fit.

[Ghoste]

Maybe, I just thought it was an old Direct Connection piece; thats where I was drawing my guess from.

[Nacho-RT74]

BB are normally shorter due hey are located in front of engine. Up 72s it is really close to the lower water pump outlet so then the radiator hose... since 73, the steering pump belt is just right in front of the oil filter, so yes, it is for clearence purpouse. However the bigger one can be installed too. A little bit tricky if we can say that specially when removing with the tool but not really a problem.

[Ghoste]

I beg to differ with you Nacho, its the smallblock ones which were normally shorter.

[resq302]

so did small block cars have the 90* adapter from the factory was that an added on part that most cars got?

[Ghoste]

Lol, I don't know    I'm getting so mixed up on this whole thing as to what should be long or short and what was afterthought.  I've been going through different manuals.
What I've found so far just looking at the 68 parts manual for an example is that everything from slant six to the Hemi used the same oil filter and it looks like it was the long one.  However, there is another filter used on the six and smallblocks if its in certain applications. ( this appears to be a shell and cartridge type)
I can find a 90* adaptor listed for a 273 but nothing else.
I'd say at this point that a variety of things were done and it'll take some time to sort them out.  For me anyway, probably before I can ever do that Bill Alphin or John Kunkel will log on and have the whole thing laid out for us.

[Nacho-RT74]

My mopar parts catalog shows short and long type, with no diff on use to any engine or body. Short type carries a newer PN though. On catalog also is stated a COMPETITION oil filter, without say if is long or short.

[maxwellwedge]

so did small block cars have the 90* adapter from the factory was that an added on part that most cars got?

It came standard on my Swinger 340 and T/A's and AAR's

[Ghoste]

That's the 74 one Nacho?

[maxwellwedge]

I remember reading something about the short and long on certain year BB's because of accessory issues 

[Nacho-RT74]

That's the 74 one Nacho?

yes

Long 1851658
Short 3549957
competition 2536186

Doesn't specify if some are elements or complete assembly

[resq302]

Maybe it was a 340 only thing?

[RD]

here are some pictures of a standard size BB oil filter (part # 51515 WIX) compared to the larger size 51773 WIX filter.

[GN]

So far a stock 318 driven a couple of times a month either size should work?