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MG MGA - spin on oil filter

I've finally had it with my slowly dripping peculator oil filter and intend to go over to a spin on. Not wishing to ask members to go over old ground on this (and having read the problems encountered in the archives) does anyone have any issues with a Flotec adapter (from Bob West) that takes a Fram 966 filter? A quick yah or nay will suffice.
J H Cole

No experience with that one in particular. Lots of info on spin-on adapters here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/of100b.htm
If anyone has info on other models for MGA, I would be happy to ad them to these web pages.
Barney Gaylord

Barney. I have seen the oil filter adapter for the later 18V engines installed on the MGA engine. This uses an inverted oil filter such as the Mann W917 filter. An aluminum pan, placed under the filter, when doing an oil change catches the small amount of oil which spills out. This was used on all of the later MGB engines and seems to work quite well. Should be readily available in places having junk yards containing old Brit cars.

JH. Fram oil filters have never had a great reputation, especially since people began testing them and publishing the information on the internet. If you do this conversion you might want to find out what other brands of filter cross reference to the Fram filter and use one of them.

Les
Les Bengtson

Hi JHC

I was thinking of doing the same, but am nervous of creating an oil leak (if it aint broke, dont fix it!). Is it normally straight forward, off and on?

In case it helps, here are some instructions from the Moss site
http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/graphics/uk/instructions/MG-spin-on-oil-filter-adapter-instructions-MOC289.pdf

Graham M V

Beware, that particular hanging spin-on adapter is notorious for jamming filters big time. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/faulty/ft026.htm
The problem and the required fix is fully detailed, but so far Moss has refused to acknowledge the problem and continues to sell the bad parts. It has been on my pet peeves list for more than five years since I sent the documentation to Moss. There are already MANY of these bad parts installed, so anyone who has one should check it before it bites you at a bad time.

For the inverted spin-on adapter, as long as you use a filter with the proper (functional) anti drain back valve it will have better drain back resistance than the original hanging filter unit. For changing oil I will punch a couple of holes in top of the canister to allow air in before draining oil. After about five minutes I come back to unscrew the canister, and any remaining oil is such a small amount that a shop rag will catch it. This is one of the easiest and cleanest oil filter changes.

There are dozens of different oil filters cross referenced on my web page.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks for the warning Barney.
Graham M V

Mine is fitted with the Flotec spin on filter from Bob West and it is really good. (Its on a 3 bearing MGB engine)
It is so easy to change the filter but as Barney says, you have to be ready catch some oil that stays trapped in the filter and can spill over.
I use some rags packed under the filter which seems to cope ok.
I change the oil really regularly as my engine was newly rebuilt when I got the car 3 years ago and I want to make it last. My previous 2 MGAs had the standard filters and even though I was much younger and more agile then, I tended to put off changing them as it was such an awkward job to do.

I have never dared to pick a few holes into the old filter to help it drain out before removal as Barney recommended. I like to keep the outgoing filter intact until I know that the new one is oiltight and working ok.
The reason for this that a couple of years ago I let a friend of mine who owns a motor parts centre, supply me with a box of economic but equivalent replacement filters. They looked identical and seemed to screw on fine but when I started the engine I had no oil pressure and by the time I switched off, most of the sump full of expensive semi-synthetic oil was spreading all over my drive!

So, as long as you get the correct filters, you will be fine and you will find it to be a great upgrade to do.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Graham, Barney gives chapter and verse on what needs to be done but it still leaves you with the decision on whose adapter to use. Every time I think I will use a Moss adapter I read a an adverse comment. I will probably put my trust in Bob West providing I can find an alternative to the Fram 966 filter that is locally available. I think the change is straight forward. My reason for changing is not only the ease of replacing the filter but avoidance of oil leaks.
J H Cole

John

I cannot remember the name of my spin-on adapter, but it uses the Fram 966 filter. It is a very common filter, being used for the Ford Mk1 Escort. Other makes are available.

Not sure if it is just a function of my high starter position, but on our right hand drive cars you have to remove the spin-on filter to remove the starter motor.

I always get an armful of oil whenever I undo the canister. If you do not have a pit or have the car on a ramp it is a pain getting an oil filter wrench to hold in place when loosening the filter. I always end up with back, neck and shoulder aches.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, I'm ready to order Bob's adapter but not if I have to use the Fram ph966 filter. Barney's not keen on these and if you follow the links on his site to the site that has analyzed a lot of filters its not difficult to see why. I have to qualify these comments by saying that the Fram 966 was not one of the filters cut open but those that were compared quite poorly with others in terms of measurable quantities such as paper length and area. My local car spares shop say they can get WIX filters that performed well but I'm having trouble checking equivalence with Fram in terms of capacity and thread size.
J H Cole

john

Thanks for the heads-up. I have just remembered that my system was Flexolite: http://www.flexolite.co.uk/cat.asp?cID=4

At my last filter change I put in a Mann Filter W712.

I also recall looking through a Halfords catalogue for the Mk1 Escort and came up with alternatives.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Here's my two-penneth! Bought the Moss spin on adapter a couple of years back and it definitely exhibits the possible problem area which Barney describes - ie. the filter bottoming out on the adapter before the rubber sealing ring properly engages against the adapter, and hence leakage can occur. HOWEVER, it is a very simple matter to skim off 1-2mm off the shoulder of the brass piece shown as 2B in diagram 2 of the Moss instructions linked from Graham's contribution to the thread. I suppose a lathe would be best but I did it, carefully, in the jaws of an electric drill with a smooth file. Simple and effective and then the Moss unit is a nice bit of kit which will accept any filter make. (I know Moss should have sorted all this out!)
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

Also got a Moss adapter. I removed some metal from the centre post nut to stop the filter bottoming. there is no need for accurate machining - you just need clearance from the centre of the filter. Angle grinder works!
Art Pearse

I've had the Flexolite type that Steve mentioned for quite a few years now with no problems.
Malcolm Asquith

Hi,

the adapter used to turn the oilfilter upside down was made from TECALEMIT. I got a brand new one somewhere...
I'm using MOCAL adapter and thermostat. They are made in GB I think and those parts are easy available at any Racing Parts Shop, but no one of them is like the TECALEMIT unit. Check with your fellow racers in the MGCC or Owners Club they will certainly lead you to such a shop. Mine in Germany is no help for you, sorry.

Siggi
Siggi

Steve or Malcolm (or anyone else), -- The Flexolite web site does not have information on the specific adapter for MGA/MGB (other then ordering number). Does anyone have pictures of the part or installation instruction sheet?
Barney Gaylord

Bruce,
You make it sound very simple. I am very tempted to follow what you did using a simple hand file or my angle grinder as Art suggests.
What do you think John?
Graham M V

Graham, the issue for me has moved to ensuring that the adapter can handle a filter of one's choice and not be forced to use what you may regard as of lesser quality.

From my inquiries the following suppliers use these filters with their adapters:
Moss = GFE 173 (MGB)
Brown & Gammons = GFE 114
Bob West= Fram ph966B. (= Wix WL7098 and GFE166)
MG owners Club = Fram ph966

Please treat the above with caution and I expect there are other filters that can be used, the trouble is there's no data on alternatives.

I think that some if not all of these filters have different specifications. Some seem to be quoted for A series engines such as mini or midget. I know of no technical source that gives the specification of a spin on filter for a B series engine let alone an MGA. If one puts too large a filter in will it affect the oil flow through the engine?

As far as the Moss adapter is concerned it comes hard to accept that one has to start filing down a new item but so many owners have done this successfully I'm inclined to go with the flow on this- assuming you want a Moss item.
Sorry to be so vague on this matter, I never dreamt the water was so muddy on this subject -reminds me of when I used to try to buy a hi-fi system.




J H Cole

Graham
It is really that simple indeed. The material is quite soft (brass?) and easily cut back with a file, in my case spinning the piece in the chuck of a hand power drill held in a bench vice! Just be a bit careful with the threaded portion (from memory) in the chuck. The good thing is that it's not a precision measurement issue here. As long as you take "a bit" off the shoulder (1-2mm) the problem of fully seating the filter rubber sealing ring goes completely away. A nice coat of engine maroon on all visible parts, including the filter, and no one will easily notice the non-originality!
Now, after all that, I have to admit that the whole unit and filter are still in the car parts box in the garage, not fitted, because I realised I really quite like the challenge of changing the old -filter element! Long central bolt difficult to locate, oil running down my arm, scraped knuckles, etc., etc! Masochist! But very satisfying when done!
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

Barney,

I have found the instructions for my adaptor which I have discovered to my surprise is actually a Mocal one not a Flexolite. Do you still want a copy?

They recommend as a filter a Fram PH966.

I also found the receipt and was amazed to find I bought it in 1993.
Malcolm Asquith

Barney

My instructions are in storage. Hopefully I will have all my stuff back under one roof by mid year.

My recollections from fitting the Flexolite were that it was a well engineered bit of kit, requiring no filing etc that seems to be a problem elsewhere.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Could someone supply a photo of the piece that we need to file down. Is it the threaded piece 2B?
Jim Sutorus

Is this the part that needs filed down? See picture


Jim Sutorus

It is the flat surface where the "2B" tag is pointing. The hex shoulder is originally slightly more than 1/4 inch thick. This needs to be reduced to about 3/16 inch thick.

Malcolm, -- Yes, please send me a copy of the Mocal adapter installation instructions. Click on my e-mail hot link and attach a scan.
Barney Gaylord

Oh - have just noticed that the Moss spin on is for use for cars without an oil cooler. Guess who's got an air cooler? Back to the drawing board for me.
Graham M V

The Moss spin-on filter adapters have the side port, so they work equally well with or without an oil cooler.
Barney Gaylord

Just an update on the Flexolite Spin on filter. I contacted the company and they sent me a leaflet which I forwarded to Barney. It was not the fitting instructions I had hoped for; just a basic product sheet. I will email them again.

However, they did list the filters: Crosland 357, Mann W916/1, Coopers Z27A or Fram PH2857A

Steve
Steve Gyles

Just received the Moss 15% off e-mail flyer starting tomorrow and lasting for 2 days only???? Looked at their oil adapter and interestingly they now supply a K&N 'gold performance' spin on filter (that I think is K&N HP-2009) . I tried to source this in the UK but without success. What may be of interest is their detailed fitting instructions and commentary that some will be aware of, but I attach it here for those Like me that didn't realise it was availible without purchase.
(just tried to upload the info but its a pdf and won't attach- so for those still interested just go into Moss site and search 'MGA oil filter' and it should come up .
J H Cole

This is the one that says it is not suitable with an oil filter.
Barney, is this the one you think will be OK? - its model MOC289 - many thanks
Graham M V

One downside of the spin on adaptor is that, unless there is something strange with my installation, it is not possible to remove the starter motor without first removing the oil filter. There is just not enough space to manoeuvre the starter below the filter.
Malcolm Asquith

Malcolm

Nothing strange with your installation. I mentioned the issue above with mine. I installed my spin on filter at the same time I transplanted the 1800 engine with the 5-speed and high starter position. I cannot be sure if this is just a problem with the high starter position. What is yours?

For those with cack-handed MGAs, this is just a right hand drive problem I think. The steering shaft prevents sufficient lateral starter motor movement to manoeuvre past the filter. As Malcolm says, it won't go under either.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I bought a Moss spin on adapter about 2 years ago and read all the bumf on this site and on Barneys to avoid the pitfalls. I had some issues getting it to seal at the banjo but then fine. I was very careful to ensure the correct filter and the correct clearance so no metal to metal ( could not find a filter with a nut on the bottom though!). Then came the first oil change and it was a nightmare . I bought two differnent gripper tools but ended up punching a hole through and using a bar to turn the bleeder ( the state of my nuckeles as well ). I returned to original and ensured good sealing top and bottom. No problems...glorious!!
Neil Ferguson

I fitted the spin on adaptor with no problems. I also use a 'Filtermag' (that magnetically clamps onto the outside of the filter casing and holds all fine particles that could get through the filter paper), along with a magnetic sump plug. £10 for the K&N filter is hefty. I ran out of the high spec filters, hence why i use the 'Filtermag', but I believe all the high spec filters had a magnet in a dished 'hump' on the bottom of the filter. Certainly they were heavier than non premium filters which suggest more filtration material. I prime the filters once they are in place, before i screw them up. For removal i use a filter socket (cliped onto a 1/2" drive ratchet) which grips the segmented part of the bottom of the filter - far easier than filter wrenches etc.
C Manley

Steve,

Apologies for missing that you had already commented on the starter problem. My car has a high starter motor.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

When I bought my MGA MK2 in 2008 at the first opportunity I decided to fit a Spin on Oil Filter (Original 1622 motor) as I have always used the Spin on type on my MGB and 1947 TC I purchased the adaptor from Brown & Gammons being my usual parts provider and the fitting was very easy albeit somewhat messy!!.
Looking up my old invoices the Adaptor was :-
GFE114Kit T/MGA/MGB (£23 in 2008)
GFE166 oil Filter Delphi
The Eqivilant Halfords Filter is HOF203
Paul
P D Camp

Hi Paul
Hope you are OK. I cant remember - do you have an oil cooler?
Regards, Graham
Graham M V

Hi Graham
Good to hear from you-No I dont have an oil cooler (being a UK home market car) -but the B&G kit just replaces the old oil filter below the original oil filter housing ( Where I believe The oil cooler take off comes)and should not interfear with an oil cooler but I am sure B&G will advise. It is a two piece kit plus rubber seal and has worked well for the last three years
Cheers
Paul
P D Camp

This thread was discussed between 01/03/2011 and 07/03/2011

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