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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Oil filter (and/or adapter)

I am having trouble finding a suitable oil filter locally (Melbourne, Australia). I have a 1979 midget, 1500 engine, with oil cooler fitted. It currently has a Coopers Z93 fitted but none of the 4 local major auto parts stores have access to that nor an alternative. They all predominantly sell Ryco brand and Ryco don't have a cross-reference for that filter.
I found a cross-reference list online, which includes Unipart GFE150, Wix WL7213, and several others, but again, can't source locally (not even eBay). Of course, I can just import a few at a time from the UK but I'd rather not have that hassle.
I see Moss sell an adapter (part TT9401) to convert from 5/8 to 3/4 thread however I'm concerned that I will still have the same issue with sourcing locally (if I still have to get them from the UK then I might as well forego the adapter). Moss suggest a Unipart GFE166 or K&N 235830 (part #?) but Ryco have no cross-reference for those.
Is a Unipart GFE166 the same as a GFE148? Is a Wix WL7098 the same as a Wix 51374? The latter in each case matches a Ryco Z418. Does the adapter facilitate "better" quality filters.
Help!
Steve Travis

Steve,
have look in the Archives this subject was cover not long back - and oh, the sheer joy of comparing parts catalogues and their anomalies

GFE148 and GFE166 normally go on to a 1275, I know that because that's what I've bought for my 1275 but look in that thread and read all the way through as it gets confusing in the middle of the thread as it's a confusing subject (as you've already found)
Nigel Atkins

Steve,
I've found the thread and hope the links below help

for the 1500 yes you want a Unipart GFE150, Wix WL7213

http://www.inlinefilters.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13670

http://www.aseriesspares.co.uk/oil-filters/morris-marina-1-3-unipart-spin-on-oil-filter/prod_1090.html

cross referencing suppliers' and manufacturers' catalogues is a nightmare
Nigel Atkins

Steve,

I think you may find the Coopers number is the same for Ryco. In your case, Z93.

Ryco filters show the mounting thread diameter adjacent to the thread. You could check that at your suppliers. I think Autopro have Coopers and Ryco here in Canberra.

The Ryco website (I have found the NZ one more helpful at times than the Oz one) will give individual filter dimensions (seal diameter, OD and height and mounting thread) as well as features eg anti-drain back seal and by-pass valve pressures if fitted.

Baldwin filters also make a range which covers many of the Ryco numbers, including the less common applications. They may be worth a look.

Regards
Roger
R Taylor

Thanks Nigel. I had found that info on the second link but can't source any of those locally. Your comment about having used the GFE148 and GFE166 is helpful, though. If I fit the 5/8 to 3/4 adapter, then Moss state that the GFE166 will fit. The local Ryco filter don't cross-ref to a GFE166 but they do have a match for the GFE148 (Ryco Z418), so if GFE166 and GFE148 are interchangeable, the I can use the Z418 with the adapter. You are right about it being confusing:- filter A cross-matches to filter B; filter B cross-matches to filter C; but filter C does NOT cross-match filter A!
Thanks Roger. You are right, the NZ site for Ryco is much better than the Aussie one. I sent an email to Ryco Australia and they assure me that the Ryco Z93 does not match the Coopers Z93 however the specs on the NZ site are very similar. The NZ site also has a cross-ref for the GFE150 (the Aussie one does not) however both of those Ryco filters are in excess of $30 (ridiculous for an oil filter!). Autopro unfortunately are only country Victoria, no metro stores.
Steve
Steve Travis

Steve,
one thing I noticed about the Ryco NZ filter was that the thread was quoted as metric (?!)

how's this then for how things are, when I get an oil filter for my 1275 it is shown as GFE166 - (equivalent to) 12G2400 - oil filter a-series GFE148

and the box and filter I get is ...

GFE443

Nigel Atkins

I see Moss sell the 5/8 to 3/4 adaptor and also sell the GFE173 filter to suit the adaptor, to fit to the Triumph Spitfire 1500 engine, which is basically the same as the Midget 1500 engine.

Equivalent filters for the GFE173 are the GFE147 and GFE 348 apparently.

At present I have the adaptor and GFE348 fitted to my Midget 1500.
JB Anderson

JB see the original post - however looking at the confusing Moss web site (not always accurate either as I've found in my (bitter) experience) and then the confusing PDF catalogue it has this -

'1500cc anti-drain filter conversion
This conversion uses a special adaptor bolt to allow a filter with a 3/4” UNF thread and an internal stack pipe and non return valve to stop the oil draining out of the filter. This means the oil is pumped around the engine
immediately on start up without having to fill the filter first.

Only for use with a Moss oil cooler kit. (RHD models only).
3/4” UNF adaptor bolt - TT9401 - £8.35
Oil filter cartridge - GFE173 - £9.16'

note the 'Only for use with a Moss oil cooler kit. (RHD models only).

exactly what that means I don't know, you could try contacting them to find out but in my (bitter) experience (with Moss Europe in the UK) they were confused, had the wrong catalogue numbers and despite me exchanging at least 9 emails before buying they said I'd either got a faulty car or had ordered the wrong part - and that was from the management, so good luck if you try
Nigel Atkins

I should have said I have a sandwich plate fitted although I thought that would have been implicit as the OP mentioned an oil cooler, hence the need for an adaptor bolt which I am happy about anyway as there seem to be more filters out there with the 3/4 thread.

I didn't get the adaptor bolt from Moss, or the filter, they are both easily available, so it is quite straight forward really.
JB Anderson

Steve,
I have agonised over this issue on my B. I eventually settled for having a mounting thread machined to suite the most common and available Ryco filters, given the seal dimension of my oil filter adaptor. A chap in our local club did that machining for me.
I decided it was better to adapt the mounting to go with what was available rather than (as you have found) pay in the order of $30 per filter. I opted for a 3/4" UNF mounting thread (replacing the 1/2"BSP) and the Ryco Z89A filter. This is shorter than the earlier type but works just fine and has both the anti drain-back seal and the pressure by-pass I need. Costs around $13, a price I am happy with to have a modern spin on filter in place of the cartridge type.
Good luck with your project.

Regards
Roger
R Taylor

JB I wasn't having a go at you just point out Steve had already considered the adapter in his original post and how confusing Moss make it, they have 'Only for use with a Moss oil cooler kit. (RHD models only)' - not any oil cooler but a Moss oil cooler kit on RHD models only (Midget pages)

as you and Roger have put Steve can buy an adapter from elsewhere or have it made up

Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 13/06/2013 and 14/06/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.