Please ID the age of this AC Delco filter?

[ChrisMU]

I’m considering bidding on a 1978 vehicle that only has 12K miles and was in storage from about 1994-2021. I can see the filter is before the AC Delco branding, so I’m thinking it’s from before the car was put in long-term storage. The car is about four hours from me, and I’d like to drive it home. I do have reservations about driving it as-is if the oil filter is 40+ years old or has been in use since before 1994. I may see if the seller will let me do a quick on-site oil/filter change.

 

[FowVay]

I'll bet that thing came from K-Mart back in 1978. Ohhh, how I miss K-mart and the smell of popcorn coming from that little snack bar they had.

 

[ChrisMU]

Okay, I found a bit more info in the scanned documents uploaded by the seller. There’s a February 1994 receipt for an oil change, so either that was just before the branding change or the mechanic was using some aged stock. That oil change was at 11,023 and current mileage is 12,403. I’d still want to change the 31-year-old oil and filter, despite the low miles.

 

[FowVay]

That thing is a lot older than 1994.

Change that oil and do a C&P on that antiquated fossil so we can see what kind deterioration occurs after a half century.

 

[mrsilv04]

One can get old look oil filters that are brand new (they're insanely expensive), but I wouldn't assume that is the case here.
In this case, I'd assume that is a really old oil filter that needs to come off of the engine ASAP.

https://www.opgi.com/all/engines-components/oiling-systems?facet=|BRN:ACDELCO

 

[MrHorspwer]

The GM part number on that filter (25010324) was superseded back in 1998.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Did the seller say when the last time this car was ran? Swapping the filter out before the trip back home would be wise.

 

[ChrisMU]

Did the seller say when the last time this car was ran? Swapping the filter out before the trip back home would be wise.

It has a video of running/driving. I may pass after all. I hear what sounds like an inconsistent light knock on the cold start. I know cell phone audio isn’t the best, but I probably shouldn’t take the gamble.

Edit: I may have jumped to conclusions too early. It sounds more like a wobbly knock if that makes sense… like a vibration or maybe an a/c clutch. I will bid, but I’m not going hog wild. …and if I win I’m changing the oil/filter first thing.

 

[FowVay]

The knock might be a deteriorated harmonic balancer. They have a rubber damper that can rot and they will leave you stranded on the side of the road.

What kind of car is this museum piece? It might be something cool to own if it's in good condition. Heck, take it to the church BBQ/car show in the summer months and you might win a free bag of pork rinds or something.

 

[Olds394]

I'll bet that thing came from K-Mart back in 1978. Ohhh, how I miss K-mart and the smell of popcorn coming from that little snack bar they had.

For me it’s the sub sandwiches.

 

[Gravity_Wolves]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133970844488. Nos on eBay

 

[Hootbro]

The car is about four hours from me, and I’d like to drive it home.

Trust me when I say this, trailer it home. Driving something like that long distance after it has sat for decades is a disaster waiting to happen. Seals and hoses that have not been brought up to temp and possible stuck thermostat is calling for trouble.

 

[ChrisMU]

Update: I didn’t end up winning that auction. I really liked the car, but this owner had it four years with ancient oil and an ancient filter and didn’t do anything about it. That definitely lowers what I’d be willing to pay. The radiator hoses also looked original, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the belts were as well.

In my search for AC oil filter info, I found that they had white cans until about 1977, then there was the switch to blue. I may have an old filter to cut open after all, if I can find the time. It’s a 1977-79 era AC filter from the engine of my dad’s first car, a ‘63 Sedan DeVille. He saved the engine before scrapping the car. A bad transmission and rust took that one off the road. I also have three unused Fram Ford V8 filters from 1992, purchased new for his ‘79 Bronco. I’m afraid to use a filter that old. I’m thrifty, but I have my limits.

Here’s the car, a ‘78 Eldorado. The last of the big ones. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-cadillac-eldorado-biarritz-38/#comments-anchor