The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts what oil filter?

I just changed the oil in my 55 chevy, but I couldn't find the right oil filter at Napa. It has the 261 engine and the filter they gave me was #1100, but it was a smaller diameter than the one that was in there. Everything else about it fit, but I was nervous about the diameter so I just put the old one back in. Anybody got a part number for a replacement filter? Thanks.

Same thing happened when I tried to get a filter for an old Mopar Product I was working on. Parts guys said numbers & design had changed & that the ### he gave me was the correct one. You could try the swap meets because they do turn up all the time. It fit other then the diameter was different, so you shouldn't have any problems. ZooKeeper

If same size oil filter canister is an issue, might wanna try looking toward companies like Fram, purelator, Wix, etc. As long as filter screws on & seals correctly I wouldn't worry about the canister size. Modern filters provide better volume flow than older filters, so they don't need to be as big as older ones.
As for finding new/ old stock OEM filters, keep in mind that over time these filter elemets change. This is especially true for filters with paper filtration elements. Just look at any old paper document & you'll see it isn't fresh white anymore, .... it's brownish. Personally IF I was to use new/ old stock, the box would have to be well sealed, not just a nice looking canister in an un sealed box.
Hope this helps.

CFFC
Don

Just to make sure you got the correct filter in the box...here's the diametrical info on the correct filters for the 235/261 engines...
the would apply as long as you still have the original filter can.... If it was changed/swapped at some time...then it'll be a trial and error as to what filter you need...... but you can also look as most all canister style filters are stamped with their number...

The diametrical difference between the Fram C21(P) and the C4 filters is as follows;
Outside diameter C4- 4 5/16 and C21P- 4.5 inches
Inside diameter C4 and C21P both 9/16
Height C4- 4 13/16 and C21P- 5 inchs
Gasket number(Fram) C4 151915 C21P 125405
Gasket dimetions
Outside diameter C4 4.75 and C21P 5.128
Inside diamter C4 4 11/32 and C21P 4 3/8
Thickness C4 1/16th and C21P 3/32nd

The Fram C21(P) interchanges with the AC115 and WIX 51100 and NAPA 1100 filters
The FRAM C4 interchanges with the WIX 51006 and NAPA 1006 filters

Hope this helps
Michael

Thanks for the detailed info. I examined the filter that was in the canister when I bout the truck (and brought it into NAPA for them to look at) and we couldn't find any numbers on it. They gave me the 1100, but I will check the dimensions. If the inside diameter is tight and the height is right do I need to worry about the outside diameter? What is the flow path through these filters? Thanks...

Actually I just did an oil change on my '48 (with a 55 261) and it had a NAPA 1006 (Fram C4) in it and I changed it to a NAPA 1100 (FRAM C21P) and either way I had approx a quarter inch clearance all the way around the filter.

Remember.... even though the inside diameter and height may be correct, the smaller the outside diameter the less filtration you'll have. Regardless of what filter you use, you should have approx a 1/4 in clearance around the filter for flow.

If the 1100 NAPA filter fits in all ways except for the outside dimention..... post me the inside diameter of your can, and I'll look up the correct filter in my WIX/FRAM books diametricly and see if I can find a filter that will work for your specific application.
Michael