does media matter, and full flow vs. partial flow?

[toolboy62]

Hi all,

have to admit that I'm pretty much ignorant when it comes to the theory of oil filters. I've been pretty much using Wix/NAPA Gold filters when I can, and Hastings or Baldwin when getting to the NAPA store is inconvenient, but that is mostly based on experiences years ago with old 225 slant six engines (bad ADBV on Frams soured me on them) and also the fact that those are the only filters readily available to me except for Frams.

First of all, I have heard that Wix and Hastings/Baldwin (I believe they are the same, yes?) use depth-type media rather than pleated paper as do most other filter mfgrs. Is this true, and does it really matter?

Second question, and the one that is more important to me - one of my cars is an old Studebaker which uses a "partial flow" (bypass) filter setup rather than a modern full flow filter. It uses a spin on cartridge, which looks very similar to a full flow filter although it carries a different part number than the 63-up applications. Are there any design considerations that differ between the two usages and is there any way I can tell what's good and what's not just by looking at the filter? I would guess that flow is fairly unimportant and that ultimate filtering ability would be best in a bypass application but that is just a hunch. In this app a filter that filters the oil well and can take a lot of crud without clogging completely is important to me as the engine has never been opened and appeared very sludgy inside when I first got it (I've been cleaning it out with Rotella, and it does appear to be working. The last oil change I did the filter I took off weighed over 2x as much as the one that I put on!)

thanks,

nate

 

[T-Keith]

Baldwin filters are definately different that Wix. And on most applications both have similar media, pleated paper.

See Grease's study for a more detalied look at filter media.

-T

 

[Bill Kapaun]

According to the Wix site-
http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/index2.asp?Section=1&Make=72&SubMake=&Model=847&SubModel=-1&Engine=&Year=1962&TempSection=1&TempMake=72&TempModel=847&TempEngine=&TempSubMode l=-1&TempYear=1962

Stude changed during the 62 Model year.
They list a 51050 for the earlier applications.
it has a 5/6" thread, while the later engines used a 51049 which is a 13/16" thread and fits a LOT of GM applications.
The earlier filter is listed as bypass and the later as full flow.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Kapaun:
According to the Wix site-
http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/index2.asp?Section=1&Make=72&SubMake=&Model=847&SubModel=-1&Engine=&Year=1962&TempSection=1&TempMake=72&TempModel=847&TempEngine=&TempSubMode l=-1&TempYear=1962

Stude changed during the 62 Model year.
They list a 51050 for the earlier applications.
it has a 5/8" thread, while the later engines used a 51049 which is a 13/16" thread and fits a LOT of GM applications.
The earlier filter is listed as bypass and the later as full flow.

---

 

[Steve S]

Alot of the bypass filters of that era have a built in restrictor and I have cut alot of them apart. Some filters are packed with stuff? "cotton fibers " some have a pleated paper type element. .

[ July 08, 2004, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: Steve S ]