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MG MGA - Spin on oil filter adaptor

I'm putting on a spin on adaptor this weekend.

Are there any pointers about installation to prevent leaks I should know about?

Thanks,

TM
Tysen

If the engine is still in the car, you will need a deep socket with a long extension in order to get enough clearance to tighten the big nut that holds the adapter in place. Be sure to get the old O-ring out of the block befoe putting the new O-ring in. You might also want to have a strap wrench handy to tighten the oil filter. I would also attach the external oil line to the adapter before tightening the nut.

Good luck.

Don Carlberg
D. R. Carlberg

Just a word of warning. I had a lot of issues with the Moss spin on adaptor. I had to exchange the collar due to cracks, the fit was not exact, etc. After much oil on the garage floor (it's amazing how much oil the pump moves)
After I saw another option, I beleive from the MGCC web site that leaves the original collar in place. If I were to do it again, that's the route I would take.
Many years ago when I put a Moss spin on adaptor on another MGA I had no problems
Jim Sutorus

A commonly heard mistake is to leave an old petrified seal ring in the groove leading to leakage.
D Sjostrom

I recently installed the Moss adapter. My only difficulty (other than access) was in installing the spin on filter. It seemed hard to turn and took forever to seat (hence the strap wrench recommendation.) No leaks so far.

Don Carlberg (1960 1600 MGA)
D. R. Carlberg

Check that your filter will thread on far enough to fully compress the rubber seal. Some filters that appear to fit have a convex bottom that can cause the filter to stop turning due to metal to metal interference rather than rubber compression.
Tom Heath

I had the bolt that holds it on as tight as I could get it. I still had a small leak. I found the bolt to be a tad to long. I ended up cutting about three threads off. Many oil changes later and still no leaks. It is true to watch what filters use use. I don't care all that much for Fram filters, but the
PH 3600 seams to work the best for me.
Jim.
Jim Jensen

Are there any filter recommedations other than the Fram PH 3600 for the spin-on adapter?
Steve
Steve Meline

There is a short version of the PH3600, but the number escapes me at the moment. The trouble I had with installing the spin on filter was that the filter did not fit tightly around the threads. Drove the car around the block and almost drained the oil completely. I have been using the PH3600 or even the walmart 3600 with no problems of leakage. The other problem I had was that I had the single piece canister filter, as opposed to the two piece someone mentioned above. I had to use the collar that came with the kit. The height of the connector was slighter higher than my canister and I could not get the cross over pipe to line up. Lifting up the pipe just ran it into the heater control valve. Be prepared to make some unexpected adjustments.

Dennis. Az
Dennis

Steve, I use NAPA filter #1516
SJ MacKAY

Steve, I have used WIX filters with no problems, I believe they also make the NAPA filters.
John H

Much available in archives:

http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5

Pesonally I would NEVER use a Fram product on any thing. They are one of the price is the ONLY consideration who cares about quality sell it at Checker to the idiot masses type of company.
R J Brown

Watch out for filter jamming problems with the Moss spin on adapter. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/faulty/ft026.htm
and here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/of100b.htm

Moss has been notified of the problem, but I have not heard yet if they did anything to fix it. It is my impression that they intend to continue selling existing inventory, and maybe try to do something better with the next production run (or maybe not.

Meanwhile I thought they would include a note in the new catalogs, but they haven't done that either. Not only that, but they are now advertising the Wix filter as a premium alternative to the Fram filter. Wix makes the NAPA GOld filters which are known to jam on this adapter. I haven't used one with the Wix name on it, but I wouldn't install one without checking dimensions first.
Barney Gaylord

I use the WIX filter canister #51516 (the NAPA number is #1516 so most likely the same filter). I've used it consitently since I installed the Moss filter adapter. I removed it probably 5or 6 times with no problem. Lets say 6 times. Time #7 the threaded shaft came out with the filter, as Barney describes. I Reinstalled the shaft and recrimped the tabed washer which locks the shaft. Removal #8 several weeks ago went OK, but I was cautious to not overtighten it, just enough tightening to seal it. -M.S.
Martin Straka

Thanks all!

Barney, Moss has now included a paragraph explaining the problem (including reference pictures)and recommended fiters that don't have the same problem.
Tysen

Forgot to mention, Jeff Zorn recommends Champ brand filter.
Tysen

Tysen,

Can you send me a copy of the Moss paper with the explanation and pictures and filter recommendations?
Barney Gaylord

Somewhere I have a list of many interchangeable filters. Can't put my hand on it right now. I prefer the smaller size filter. I find it easier to put on.

I am currently using a Fram Tough Guard TG3614 with no problems. My original adapter from Moss (sent without the locking-tab washer!) was shipped with a Fram 3600 filter.

YMMV

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

Try a Amsoil EaO34 filter.
It fits many Ford products.

98% efficient. Flows like crazy and garanteed for 25,000 miles.

SF
Dwight
DCM McCullough

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2006 and 15/05/2006

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