If Oil Filter Fits, use it?

[Airhog1]

My first time not just here but any forum, so hope to do it right.
On my '95 GMC sierra 5.7L I use a fram XG 3980 or another approved filter. I was at a friends working on fuel pump on his lift so when done as long as on lift drained oil. I had Amsoil 10W30 Syn but no filter. He said use this:Fram TG 3682. I did and now see 2 differences. One, it is .86" shorter (4.08" vs 4.94") and 2) ID- 3/4-16 Th'd for one he gave me and 18mmx1.5mm Th'd for the correct one. It went on easy and no leaks. I matched gasket to check at least. 1)Shall I run until oil change or change now. 2) Did I ruin threads. 3) Can I change filter and only loose oil in filter?
Thank you and I welcome any help, comments, and information.

 

[Chris142]

no way! worng threads! it may blow off

 

[ag_ghost]

At least when I was raised on oil filter mounting, the female filter threads are alumninum and, male threads are steel; ideally only the filter is fouled up. As noted above, I would never take the risk that it'll hold. Depending on the filter size you'll need to replace about a quart; no big deal from that standpoint.
Kevin

 

[ZeeOSix]

^^^ Yeah, if the filter you put on has the wrong threads, then get it off ASAP and put the right filter on. You will lose a little oil when just swapping out the filter, but just top off the oil level and you'll be good. If the filter with the wrong threads messed up the threads on the filter mount, then you won't know until you swap out the filter and insect the threads. If the wrong filter "went on easy", then the threads may be OK.

 

[Airhog1]

Thanks, it went on easy. It has been on a while-6400 miles and no leaks. the Amsoil is just starting to turn a little brown so I might just change the oil and filter. If there was no risk I was going to do another 1000 mile trip this week and then change all.

 

[MolaKule]

Wait a minute. Your timeline seems to be way off.

You put 6400 miles on it since yesterday?

As others have stated, there is a risk.

If your filter blows off on your trip bye bye engine.

Do you realize how quickly and how much oil your engine can blow out at 70mph?

You're playing with fire.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Wait a minute. Your timeline seems to be way off.

You put 6400 miles on it since yesterday?

As others have stated, there is a risk.

If your filter blows off on your trip bye bye engine.

Do you realize how quickly and how much oil your engine can blow out at 70mph?

You're playing with fire.

yup. that oul pump can drain that pan in a few seconds when the filter blows off. why would you put a sae thread on a metric thread anyway?

 

[Airhog1]

Not yesterday. Did all that last fall. This afternoon I was checking how many miles on truck oil before putting another 1000+ on this 4th of July week. Long story short that is what made me look at the different filter when I checked to see if I had one. I did not know threads were different until I looked at Fram website today and saw those 2 differences. Friend/Mechanic in AR said "here, use this, it will fit" so I did last fall--6400 miles ago. It must be close to the same size and been lucky so far. that is why I am seeking advice here tonight. And I thank all of you for your input.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Well, you've already made it 6400/7400 = 86.5% of the way in miles so far. So how lucky do you feel?

 

[Airhog1]

I am not a gambler (not even a dollar for dollar draw out of hat after American Legion meeting!), so I will be changing the filter/oil and greasing 10 zerks.

 

[Airhog1]

Here is what I found when I looked up this evening. As you can see--real close. I just happened to see the 2 differences when checking to see what was on truck and if I had a filter for it.
The correct one:
Part Number XG3980


Zoom
name desc
Product Type ULTRA/Xtended Guard Premium Lube Filter
Spec_Name Spec_Desc
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.47"
Gasket O.D. 2.75"
Gasket Thickness .19"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 4.94"
Product I.D. 18mmx1.5mm Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI NONE

And the oil filter from friend:

Part Number TG3682


Zoom
name desc
Product Type Tough Guard Lube Filter
Spec_Name Spec_Desc
Anti-Drain Valve YES
Gasket I.D. 2.47"
Gasket O.D. 2.75"
Gasket Thickness .19"
Gasket Usage Base
Product Height 4.08"
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd
Product O.D. 2.98"
Relief Valve Setting PSI NONE

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: Airhog1
Thanks, it went on easy. It has been on a while-6400 miles and no leaks. the Amsoil is just starting to turn a little brown so I might just change the oil and filter. If there was no risk I was going to do another 1000 mile trip this week and then change all.


Yeah, the mileage seems wrong; but you could just change the filter to the right one and top off with some fresh Amsoil and be good to go....

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Airhog1

The correct one:
Part Number XG3980
Product I.D. 18mm x 1.5mm Th'd

And the oil filter from friend:
Part Number TG3682
Product I.D. 3/4-16 Th'd


Converting 3/4"-16 to metric gives: 19.05 mm dia x 1.59 mm pitch.

Therefore, you have a very loose fitting 19 mm dia thread screwed onto a 18 mm dia mount. A 1 mm dia difference is huge. You're lucky it hasn't blown off already.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: Airhog1
Thanks, it went on easy. It has been on a while-6400 miles and no leaks. the Amsoil is just starting to turn a little brown so I might just change the oil and filter. If there was no risk I was going to do another 1000 mile trip this week and then change all.


This belongs on Facebook. Why did you decide just now to ask this question after running it for 6400 miles?

 

[dnewton3]

Originally Posted By: Airhog1
... Friend/Mechanic in AR said "here, use this, it will fit" ...


He may be a friend, but he's no mechanic.

I am somewhat surprised the wrong threads fit well enough to hold on this long, but some folks are just lucky I guess. You've dodged the bullet so far, just get it off as soon as you can, make sure to inspect the filter mount to assure it is in good shape, and install a decent brand of your choice of the PROPER filter application. With today's inter-webbie access, there is no excuse for not knowing which filter models are the correct ones.

 

[Sayjac]

Have you played the lottery lately? If not you might want to consider it because your luck to this point using the non spec thread pitch filter has been great. Hopefully you haven't damaged the threads on the mounting stud.

I'd say change it ASAP.

 

[RF Overlord]

While you may have been lucky so far, do you feel like making your 1000-mile trip more exciting and way more expensive? Stop tempting fate and replace that filter with the right one.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
You put 6400 miles on it since yesterday?

In your professional opinion, would putting on that number of miles in one day indicate that one should jump up a grade thicker?

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

All I can say is you are lucky that that thing doesn't get off the ground. Sounds like something a Spartan grad would do to an airplane.

 

[artificialist]

If the threads are different, the other filter most definitely will not hold.

A few years ago, some coworkers were doing an oil change to a 1980s Nissan 300ZX. They fitted a PZ-9a to the engine, it blew off seconds after startup, and destroyed the oil pressure sender. Later we found a typo on the work order, where someone entered the wrong make and model of car. I think a PZ-27 had to be used.