Does anyone run the PF-52 size filter on their GM 3800 equipped vehicles? I've ended up with a bunch more PF-52s for my Dad's truck that we will be selling in the near future, and want to be able to use them on an Olds 88 that takes the PF-47. My concern is the PF-52, being longer, will drop below the level of the chassis and be the first item to take a hit from road debris!
PF-47 vs PF-52
- Thread starter Drew99GT
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Where is the filter on the 88?
All 3800s I've seen have the filter to the rear of the engine.
I've used the 52 exclusively since the late 80s.
3.1 on an 89 Olds Cutlass. Grand Prixs since.
It fits fine; and while it's a bit tight, it doesn't interfere with the frame.
Try it and see if it hangs to low for you; I'd guess that it won't.
All 3800s I've seen have the filter to the rear of the engine.
I've used the 52 exclusively since the late 80s.
3.1 on an 89 Olds Cutlass. Grand Prixs since.
It fits fine; and while it's a bit tight, it doesn't interfere with the frame.
Try it and see if it hangs to low for you; I'd guess that it won't.
It mounts with the open end of the filter pointing upwards on a mount that's on the backside/bottom of the engine. I''ll fit fine, I think it might hang too low below everything else.
See, that's the thing. This Olds sees serious 4 wheeling duty in the CO rockies.
I was joking.
I'm about to try a PF-52 on my mom's 3.1 in her Malibu. It mounts in the front of the engine, and I'm thinking it should have just enough clearance. Reason being, the PF-52s I found have a silicon ADBV and I got them fairly cheap, and it would increase the oil capacity from the stock 4.6 quarts to around 5 quarts, so I don't have to worry about slight overfill
Peace of mind, at least. I've been putting in 5 quarts with the standard PF-47 size filter when it specifies 4.6 quarts and it hasn't hurt anything, but I'd just feel better using a larger filter in this case. Why can't all cars have even capacities like my Integra?
I don't run the PF-47 on anything except one 3.8 that doesn't have enough clearance to run a PF-52.
Drew, if you could fit the PF-52 on your block without it touching anything, then you should have no problem.
ThirdYe, I use the PF-52 in all my 3.1's. You'll find that the extra couple of inches is really handy when it comes to getting the filter off the next time. You can just reach up under the bumper and feel it. With the PF 47 I sometimes get my hand stuck in the cramped confines trying to pull that stubby thing off.
Drew, if you could fit the PF-52 on your block without it touching anything, then you should have no problem.
ThirdYe, I use the PF-52 in all my 3.1's. You'll find that the extra couple of inches is really handy when it comes to getting the filter off the next time. You can just reach up under the bumper and feel it. With the PF 47 I sometimes get my hand stuck in the cramped confines trying to pull that stubby thing off.
Originally Posted By: kingrob
I don't run the PF-47 on anything except one 3.8 that doesn't have enough clearance to run a PF-52.
Drew, if you could fit the PF-52 on your block without it touching anything, then you should have no problem.
ThirdYe, I use the PF-52 in all my 3.1's. You'll find that the extra couple of inches is really handy when it comes to getting the filter off the next time. You can just reach up under the bumper and feel it. With the PF 47 I sometimes get my hand stuck in the cramped confines trying to pull that stubby thing off.
On the Malibu I always have to take the front plastic skid plate (or whatever it's technically called, the thing that protects the engine from debris, has 2 wing nuts on it to hold it up) off to get to the filter, otherwise it's too hard to get to.
I don't run the PF-47 on anything except one 3.8 that doesn't have enough clearance to run a PF-52.
Drew, if you could fit the PF-52 on your block without it touching anything, then you should have no problem.
ThirdYe, I use the PF-52 in all my 3.1's. You'll find that the extra couple of inches is really handy when it comes to getting the filter off the next time. You can just reach up under the bumper and feel it. With the PF 47 I sometimes get my hand stuck in the cramped confines trying to pull that stubby thing off.
On the Malibu I always have to take the front plastic skid plate (or whatever it's technically called, the thing that protects the engine from debris, has 2 wing nuts on it to hold it up) off to get to the filter, otherwise it's too hard to get to.
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Looks like Drew needs to pioneer for the board here.
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