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MG MGA - Oil Filters

I have the MOSS oil filter adapter. I know alot of differenct filters fit this adapter, however I prefer WIX or Napa. Is the 1516 part number from Napa, the oil filter to fit to this adapter?
Ray

Ray Ammeter

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/of100b.htm

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/faulty/ft026.htm

The NAPA 1516 is one of the filters I found to jam on the Moss adapter.
Barney Gaylord

Oh Boy! One of my favourite topics! - Oil Filters.

Ther has been quite a bit of research on filters and their quality. I'm not going to bore you with all the web-site that cover this subject, but in the final analysis, you only get what you pay for.

On my '54TF, I originnaly was using the FRAM PH3600 which I could buy at the local Wal-Mart for less than $4. So I bought an extra and cut it open. What a disappointment! There were only 24 feet of paper, and no check valve. A good quality filter will use at last 60 feet of a synthetic mediuum, and have an anti-flow check valve. If you have a vertical installation, the check valve is less important, but if your filter cannister lies horizintally, the check valve is a must or the dirty oil will flow back into the sump when pressure is removed (engine shut down).

I have been using the K&N HP2009 ($13 at Autozone) which weighs a lot more than the FRAM. More importantly however, is that my oil is noticably cleaner througout the entire driving season, when compared to the FRAM.

I have also installed a magnetic sump plug, and check it at each oil change, and there's always something there!

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

Gordon A. Clark

Could not agree more Gordon. I always use OEM filters, oil and gas. Ditto brake linings etc. Learned my lesson many years ago on an Ford Cortina. Low speed stopping good, high speed, white knuckles.
The easiest way to break into a market is with a low ball price and quaity sacrifice. Sean
S Sherry

I found this study very informative on Oil Filters:

http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

Be sure to check the recommendation links on that page. There is a lot for practical information on that site.

The Fram TG3600 is a recommended filter.

Jim
Jim Ferguson

Jim,

In my above BB entry, I tried to avoid this report because its a VERY OLD Study. See at the bottom of the page "... This page was written and is maintained by Russ W. Knize and was last updated 06/20/00".

A lot has changed since then. For instance, one of the better filters, the Mobil 1 hasn't been available for at least 4 years - I know, I tried every place in Montreal and Plattsburgh, NY. Plus I e-mailed several suppliers.

In his up-dated section (09/07/99), he gives the kiss of death to FRAM filters. But again, remember that this data is 8 yeras old.

The most recent filters no longer use paper, but rather, synthetic fibre media.

I would be reluctant to go by that now-ancient study.

If there is a newer and equally-comprehensive study available, I've not been able to find it. But I must admit that Russ Knize's way of reporting on filters seems very practical, and avoids excessive technical data.

How many of you out there, are willing to spend a few weeks searching out the many kinds of oil filters at your own personal expanse, opening them up and trying to explain to your wife why her new living room carpet is the best place to display oil filter media??

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Note of warning - I bought a filter from COSTCO some years ago which was listed for MG. This fitted the spin-on adapter on a friend's MGB so he used it. Within 5 miles his engine seized - the filter had a cap inside it at a height which effectively blocked the oil pipe.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

When I worked at Pratt&Whitney we tested oil filters for use on the gearbox of the JT9D (747) in a test rig that introduced measured amounts of contaminates (Arizona Road Dust). When a specified pressure/flow was reached the filters were removed, cut open and the elements were dryed out and the amount of contamination was weighed. In those days (late 60's)Fram filters were one of the best out there.
Times do change.....

GTF
G T Foster

Barney,
I removed the shoulder of the center bolt nut on the filter side. Then I placed the locktab in position, put the center bolt through the adapter,added some washers for spacers and screwd on a nut to this assembly. Doing this I could simulate the adapter in sync on the engine block. Then I spun the filter on to the point the filter seal made solid contact with the adapter. At this point I removed the nut,washers and center bolt,careful "not" to disturb the relation of the filter to the center bolt. After pulling out the center bolt from the adapter I could see the filter was about 2.5 mm from the nut of the center bolt. I was able to spin the filter 1 and 1/4 turns before it contacted the center bolt. This should be sufficient, since I would only spin on the filter about 3/4 of a turn after seal contacts the adpater.
FYI..I also cut off some of the locktab, since it appears after the locktab is bent up, it may go beyond the bolt contacting the filter.
Thanks for all your input.

Ray

Ray Ammeter

That's the right idea. It is a PITA for each customer to have to learn about this problem the hard way and find their own way to modify each part by hand. It's a shame that Moss refuses to acknowledge this problem and fix the parts before selling them. It's even worse that the WIX filter they sell for this application is one that is known to jam on the adapter.
Barney Gaylord

Ray,

So which oil filter are you using with the moss spin on adapter?

Scott Curtis
SAC Scott Curtis

Scott,
I installed a Napa gold filter 1516. It is the same as WIX. I believe WIX has it numbered 51516.

Ray
Ray Ammeter

Ray,

Will the NAPA filter work without jamming or without grinding down the hex nut? I have been having troubles with the filter leaking and I think I have just determined why. If the NAPA filter works it will be great!! Thanks for you help.

Scott
SAC Scott Curtis

Ray,
I have the Wix 51516 filter on my spin on adaptor and at the last oil change I had the problem of it jamming. It never happened before so I can only assume that I may have tightened the filter to tight. All that says is that the amount of clearnace betweem the filter and the main bolt is "VERY VERY SMALL".

It would be interesting if the other members of this board could supply the type of filter they use "SUCESSFULLY" with the spin on adaptor. This would allow other members to feel more secure when going out to purchase filters and eliminate the "trial & error" process.
Gordon Harrison

Scott,
Wix 51516 and Napa 1516 are the same filter. Both will jam. Using my Mototool I cut off the shoulder. Not a hard job, just tedious.
As stated earlier the lock tab will jam the filter as well. You will need to grind/ cut off the excess before you install it. Not a good idea to grind it off after installed.
On a side note. Moss should sell a replacement (small diameter) locktab. They only sell the adapter kit as one unit.

Ray
Ray Ammeter

I have used both Fram and Wix without any problems. Bought the addaptor from Moss in 96 and it came with a Fram.
J Heisenfeldt

I had a Fram PH-3600 on it when I first installed the adapter since it was the one sold by Moss with the adapter. I read all the notes that Barney had written about jamming and paid attention to which ones seemed to jam so I could avoid those. In June I did my first oil change (rebuild just completed this spring) and installed a Mobil-1 M1-209 filter. I bought it at the local Autozone store. Hopefully it'll still be available when I'm ready to get my next one (see Gordon's note above).

I haven't made any changes to the spin-on adapter (yet?) and I haven't had any problems with either of these two filters jamming.

Larry
LP Pittman

I have the Moss adapter on my TD. I use the Napa 1516 filter. Could someone please explain what "the lock tab will jam the filter" problem is. Not knowing what this means, leaves me to believe I may have a problem and don't know about it. Or is this something peculiar to the "A" series only. Any clarification would be appreciated.
George Raham
TD 4224
G. L. Raham

Larry Pitman,

If you're successful in finding the Mobil-1 filter, please post it as it's indeed, a premium filter, but for me, its been hard to find.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

I have purchased and installed a K&N HP2009 suggested by Gordon. I have a Moss adapter. So far, so good.
GTF
G T Foster

G.L.
Could someone please explain what "the lock tab will jam the filter" problem is.

When the locktab is bent into position to secure the bolt from loosening over time, the locktab diameter is great enough so it will/may go beyond the height of the bolt. Resulting in preventing the filters o-ring from firmly compressing onto the base of the oil-filter adapter.
There is so little room to work in this area from below the car to install the oil filter adapter. It is best to cut off the excess before you start the process.

Ray
Ray Ammeter

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2008 and 15/09/2008

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