The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Oil Filter for Original Beehive

Hi all,
I am looking for a oil canister filter for my original Beehive. The ones I have found so far are to tall. Below is a list of the ones that do not work-

offenhauser
Purolator L20051

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u462/52Stove/FPOilCanister_52Chevy_zpsd7026f2e.png

Speedway motors Item #91051006 and gasket #91015191G.
www.speedwaymotors.com

Brad,
Thanks for the info however, I am not able to locate it. Speedway says no item found?

This is the one I purchased from them that is to tall...
QTY Item # Description Price l
1 56056404 OFFY BEEHIVE FILTER ELEMENT $12.99 $12.99

Google search it that is the number that comes up when you do?
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Replacement-Gasket-For-Beehive-Oil-Filter,24669.html

I called them and the one they have is 5inches tall. About 1/2 an inch to tall. Thanks Brad for the help.

Looks like 91015191G

91051006 is supposedly the beehive filter element at Speedway Motors, but there is no item with that number.

Maybe this is the correct filter element?

The correct oil filters are, the Purolator P51 or L20051. I find it at PepBoys. The newer number is the L20051. I think the P51 has been retired. Wix 51100 is also one that works, if you can find it. O'Reilly's carries Wix. The Fram number is C 4P. I think Advanced Auto Parts has the Fram number.
There is usually a gasket in the box with the filter. If there isn't, or the one in the box won't fit, let me know I can get a gasket that will work for you. Most of the time the gasket in the box won't fit. I have no idea why not.

The Offenhauser from speedway is to tall tclederman, thanks for looking though.

6cylindersovertexas- The Purolator L20051 is the one in the canister and it is too tall also. It's the number the guy I purchased it from gave me but, oil pukes out of it.....The threads will start but it won't tighten enough to seal......

WIX 51010 is approx. 4 1/2H x 3 3/4W center hole 1/2". Maybe you could give us dimensions you're looking for or play around on the WIX website to find what you need.

http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/Exactmatch.aspx?PartNo=51010

The Purolator L20051 is the filter I use and have been using in mine for 20 years and it fits and works perfect, so I don't understand. The L20051 is right at 4-3/4" high, 4" in diameter and the hole is just a little over 1/2 " in diameter.
After seeing this, I can see the Wix 51100 would not work, but that's the number Wix says in their catalog and on line.
One thing that is interesting is that the rubber gasket in almost all of the Purolator L20051's that I have bought are not the correct size for the cannister. Every now an then there is a good one. I just keep reusing the one that fits, but there is another solution for that too.

Joe - Glad your's works good for you. Wanna buy a Purolator L20051 filter? :-). All I know is that I saw it leak oil over the side when it got started. My mechanic said he had to modify the gasket to fit my beehive.....Unless I do not have an original one? I have no way of knowing. It has a spring on the top lid? and the sticker on it says a Purolator N-16 will fit. So I found this link that referenced a replacement....Baldwin JC405, puchased it but, it's roughly the same height.....

http://p15-d24.com/topic/33619-purolator-oil-filter-cross-reference-please/

So, it sounds like it's the gasket that isn't working. They have to be the right size because there is some pressure in that canister.
Don't need another - got about four in the cabinet - all Purolators - all L20051.
The gasket has to be the right size or it will not work. I ran into that myself.
Make a gasket out of heavy gasket paper so it is thick enough to "crush" when lid is tightened. Maybe that will work.

Thank you. I will pass that on. I have a few different filters so maybe we can find the right one (gasket ).

Are the original beehives suppose to have a spring on the bottom? ( under the oil filter) ?
The one in mine is 7/8" round and 15/16"tall.

The closest filter I can find to fit is a Pure L20701.
It is 4" tall and requires two gaskets, with the top and bottom spring inside.

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u462/52Stove/Beehive_A4_OutletPatPend_zps2d173ca3.png

The beehive filter you have pictured looks exactly like mine. I actually sold that one and the new one on my truck (also an original unit) works just as well as the other did and looks just like it. It does have a spring in the bottom. The tightness of the lid is key. I have to put a short screw driver through the "egg half" on the top and get down on it good to get tight enough not to leak at that spot on the top - right around the "egg half". The original filters also had a small piece of metal with a little ball on one end that slipped into the tube that goes up the middle of the filter body. That small piece disburses the oil into a dribble and not a stream inside the filter. It is also a contributor to having the filter work correctly.

Thanks Joe. May I ask what type ( manufacture w/ model number ) of filter you use?

Since day one, I have been using the Purolator - L20051. I bought about ten of them several years back, still have a few left. I guess they still make them.

This is where I am confused. The one i use (L20701) is shorter than the L20051 that many seem to use.. How then will using a taller one will work, if the short one L20701 i am using barely fits? Does the L20051 mash down?

i found the below sizes from amazon=

L20701: 4.7x4.1x3.9 actual 3.5 (across the top)x4 tall
L20051: 6x6 x4.5

Are there any 3.5-3.75 tall?

OK - I just checked my stock of filters. I have five filters. All of them are Purolators. Two boxes have the number P-51 on the top of the boxes and three have the number P51-L20051. ALL of the filters have the P-51 number on the side of the filter itself. It also has a round ring which you use to pull the used filter out of the Beehive housing attached to the top of the filter. ALL filters are 4-3/4" tall and 4" wide. I bought ALL of these filters at Pep Boys because that is the only place I have ever seen them. I over buy because that's what I do especially if something like what has happened to you could happen to me.
So, It sounds to me like either something has changed since I have bought filters or the boxes you are buying are mis-marked.
What I can do in order to try to help you out and find out what is going on is go to my local Pep Boys and see what they have to offer in the way of a P51-L20051 since there appears to be something going on with this filter number. I'll check on it tomorrow and let you know what I find.

Is this the Purolator filter you are looking for?
old # P51
new # L20051
Filter
Harold

I have spent some time on this project today. Purolator still makes a P-51 or L-20051. The ones I have are 4-3/4" high by 4" in diameter. I checked two Pep Boys and they did not have any in stock. Amazon shows them available, however they have different dimension on them. You might want to order one and see what size they actually are since I find it hard to believe the same number would continue with a size change. Seems odd to me, but what do I know. If they are wrong, Amazon takes stuff back with no problem. I did find a few on eBay with that are the size mine are. Advance Auto Parts stores say they carry them. I have cross referenced until I totally ran out of any type of number. Finally, I will say that am surprised. Five years ago Pep Boys had them at the two stores I went to today and another which I haven't been to but will check when I get a chance. At that time they always had three or four in stock. Strange.

Joe,
I measured my filters and this is what I got:

L20051 - 4 3/4"
Offy - 5"
Sock - 5.1/2"

So I think Amazon may be off on their measurements?

I am going to try a Wix 24949 at 3.4 x 3.4 x 3.2 inches. Again, Amazon so the proof will be in the pudding....

So, if the L20051 is 4-3/4" tall and 4" in diameter, that's the size of the five I have. They fit fine in my Beehive filter.

Do you only use the gasket it comes with?
Or more than one?

I do appreciate your help Joe.

I do use only one gasket, but the gasket size I have been using is not the gasket that has been included in the boxes with most of the filters I have recently bought. For some reason, the gasket sizes I have been getting are incorrect, but occasionally getting the right size so I just keep using it until I see it needs replacement. Of course, I hang onto those that fit, so I have a few. The filter issue is one thing, the other issue is the gasket, but one can always be made.

love your truck!
I'm going to pick up the wix filter and try it....

From what I could find on the Wix 51010, it looks like it will fit. It is actually 4-3/8" tall by about 3-11/16" in diameter. That compared to the Purolator we have been discussing 4-3/4" tall by 4" in diameter puts it maybe a little small in both directions, but probably would work. Let me know how it fits.

I just received verification from a purchaser of a Purolator L2051 from Amazon that the size is 4-5/8 inches high and 4 inches in diameter. The Purolator P-51 was 4-3/4 inches high and 4 inches in diameter. With the use of the spring in the bottom of the Beehive Oil Filter canister, this filter should work great as the spring will push the filter up against the top after installed.
I think this is the one to go with, at least until Amazon discontinues offering it, which may be awhile.

I agree. There are enough of the old style cans around for L2051 use.

I need to get off my butt and look at that wix 51010 though...

Thanks again for the help!