Technical 64 GTO 421 Tri-power Oil Filter Question.

So I finished the frame off restoration of my 64 GTO convertible in 2016. The restoration included a frame replacement. When I pulled the 66 Catalina 421 Tri-power out of the frame and put it on the engine stand, I never thought to take note of the oil filter that was on it when I drained the oil and threw the filter away. A year later when the engine was going back into the frame I had a hell of a time finding a filter short enough to clear the A-arm mount. I found one that I could get installed and thought all was good. I’ve put probably 50 miles on the car in the last 4 years due to life. Last fall while moving cars around for winter I noticed a pretty good drip while pulling it into my shop. I parked it and said I’d deal with it in the spring. Now that it’s almost summer, I finally took a look at it today. There is actually a pin hole in the oil filter from I assume hitting the passenger side a-arm mount while the engine torques. Glad I caught this now.
Anyway, would anyone know a shorter filter that would work in my application? The other option would be an angled oil filter mount which I believe Pontiac had?
Any advice would be appreciated. A part # for a shorter oil filter or where I could get an angled filter mount and what filter is needed for that application?

Sorry for the sideways photos..... looked fine on my iPad.
Thanks in advance.

 

http://www.pontiacstreetperformance.com/psp/modoiladapter.html
All you will ever need to know.
Nice view, BTW.
Oops, try this thread:
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=841482

 

I would massage that mount..

 

Look here towards the bottom, Frank has a couple versions of the housings. You need the angled mount, then any filter should work. https://www.frankspontiacparts.com/engineparts/pontiacengineparts.htm

 

Find a different oil filter housing. One on a v8 lemans car. It angles the filter back alittle and gives needed room.

For sure any thing up to a 67' frame lemans should work. Should be easy to find. EBay probably has some.

 

Try a acdelco PF454 should be 3 3/16" long, I had a 65 with a 421 many years ago I think it was a late 60's nova filter I used a PF12 maybe but the specs for that look to be the same as PF25, I think the problem is over the years the sizes have changed slightly by manufacturer for length and diameter

 

That’s probably what was on it! Thanks!!

 

Ramair Restoration has the angled filter housing that allows using the regular length filter. Originally used on cars w the cast long branch exhaust manifolds. Looks like you might have to call them to get availability/price.

 

With how much I drove the car, does a lower volume oil filter really matter? I’ve ordered a short filter to get it back drivable, but long term, does it make sense to switch the housing?

 

Gives you a whole lot more options.

If say the filter starts leaking or something hits it on the road your chances at finding a replacement filter at any Wal-Mart or parts store while on the road is a lot easier.

 

You just change the filter sooner than you change the oil............Oil get's changed one time a year= sitting or not. You sit, no need to change the filter......Rack about 3k mi's, then every 6 mo's= split it half with the "half" filter....... Up to you, but with a smaller filter, smaller "catch", -hence double the replacement........

 

Thanks to all for the advice.

 

One of these in the right size and you can forget about replacements:

https://hubbfilters.com/

I'm assuming since it's a 421 it's modded and having OEM everything isn't a total demand. One of my clients is part of this company and the product seems rather promising.

 

I believe they are about $90 when I checked the other day.


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Ha, I’m working on a ‘68 Pontiac and last night I looked because of your thread. Cast right into the oil filter mount Is “replace with AC PF7,” you’d see this only with the oil filter removed. I never knew that was there.

I’m pretty sure PF7 is a tall filter though so that’s not gonna help your fitment issue.

 

HI you need a PF44 filter. 77 ONLY 301 Catalina filter. do not use a 454,its a chevy filter. you will have a BIG leak. take yours to a real parts store and match the seal and thread diameter.i would look at other cars frame. seems tight. good luck Pete.

 

Looking up a PF44, it appears to be a Chevrolet oil filter also?

 

Al T, slightly off topic, but I had to use a short filter on my A roadster; it had an early Buick 225 V6 in it, and filter came off engine at an angle. The regular short one would hit frame when installing it. A friend in parts business, gave me a box(12) of even shorter filters that fit my application. He knew how to find the right parts.
Oh, he owns Horton Street Rod Products now. Paul B.

 

Would someone be able to advise the part number of the angled housing? I found one on the auction site but not sure if it will fit as the auction states it fits up to ‘77?
The part number of the auction part is 5579457.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would get the correct filter adapter piece. If it is $90. so be it, that's the price of having it done right, then you can use the correct filter and not worry about it. IMO.

Pat

 

I might have spoken too soon. The one from ramair restorations might not be angled. It is more of an extension to clear the long branch headers. Is double check.


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I used this angle adapter on mine to clear the longbranch headers. If it looks like something that would work for you, I will dig thru my paperwork to see where i purchased it. Thinking I probably purchased it from Ram Air Restoration.

https://butlerperformance.com/i-249...utlerperformance.com/search.html?q=oil+filter

 

You’re out of the mess For $5.00 and for the trouble of hitting the parts store. This one has you clearance by an inch. maybe I’m on ignore?






Did you look here?

 

Not on ignore at all. lol
Appreciate the comments.
The engine in the car was out of a ‘66 Catalina so the oil filter that would be identified would be for a full size frame.

 

good!
Did you investigate this red circle yet?
is that just a photo anomaly?

 

From butler performance/
This housing is machined at 120* so it brings the closed end of the filter in closer to the oil pan. exact replica of gto and FB part and fits all Pontiac engine 64-78.

 

Fordflambe is right on the mark. Get one of those blocks from Ram Air Restoration.. I think his name is Paul. I bought all kinds of nice things from them. They also sell a fantastic mini starter for Pontiac engines..

On these engines, remote oil filters cause the bearings to go bad for some reason..

 

I think in that one photo it’s just a shadow. In this photo it appears there are no issues.



I’ll get under it today and take another look just to be sure.

Thanks!