disected PF58 and PF61

[tblazed]

The PF58 was discontinued and replaced with the PF61. My 2002 Chevy Trailblazer originally spec'd the PF58. Here's a picture I put together of one of each cut apart. Note the PF61 in the pic is different from some I recently saw at O'Reilly's. The ones on the shelf in the store did not say "Made in USA" on them anywhere or on the box, and they also do not have that same plastic insert flow director part. Main differences I noted other than the plastic insert part, the PF61 has a little less filter media but the pleats are deeper, the perforated center tube is smaller dia but has bigger holes, the top has 5 holes vs 6.

 

[427Z06]

Nice photo work.

Viewing the photos, looks like they increased the diameter on the center tube of the PF61 to make up for the instability of the media, or not?

 

[tblazed]

Actually the PF61 has the smaller dia tube for the deeper pleats. All I can figure is, MAYBE the deeper pleats, and fewer of them with more space in-between, flows a little easier or won't pull together and collapse on itself if it gets loaded up? Or, it's just made a little cheaper with a few sq.in. less media. Also that round disc part belongs with the PF58. It got on the wrong side in the lower left picture. I think that is there to keep mechanical pressure against the filter element. That's one less part inside this particular version of a PF61.

A friend did the cutting, I did the pics. We both own 2002 Trailblazers so we get to compare notes a lot.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

The pf58 appears to be a champion model......and the 61 is probably a delphi.

 

[jthorner]

AC sources filters from multiple suppliers in multiple countries while leaving the PFxx part numbers the same. You almost surely have the output of two different suppliers there.

John

 

[tblazed]

Yes you guys are right - most definitely from two sources. I went out and looked at the PF58s I stocked up on last year, and two are made exactly like the one I ID'd above as a PF61. All the other PF58s I have are made with that black plastic spacer part and different center tube and perforations. I have no idea now what the difference is between a 58 and a 61. Here's a pic I put together showing the difference between two PF58s.

 

[T-Keith]

Cut apart the other Champion and see the difference.

-T

 

[tblazed]

Well I committed a big OOPS - got them backwards! (I wasn't there yet when they got cut apart,so that's my excuse) I redid the picture so you may need to refresh to get the latest version. Everything I said about the 58 belongs to the 61, and vice-versa.

 

[tblazed]

I can see the difference, but which one is "better"? Or do they both do about as well filtering?

 

[T-Keith]

I have a write up on the two different ACs on my site:

http://www.lesabret.com/filters/filter.html

We would still like to know the difference between the 58 and 61 though.

 

[novadude]

Anyone cut up the "3rd source" AC Delco filter yet? They have some that are not Delphi, and not Champions, and are made in Mexico. You can find 'em at Advance auto. The PF47 "3rd source" filter can immediately be identified by the large inlet holes in the baseplate, and the red anti-drainback valve. These are definitely different than any Delphi or Champions I have seen.

 

[T-Keith]

Everyone I've seen are Champions, I'll check it out if I get a chance.

-T