Smaller filter OK?

[rationull]

One more question regarding my choice of oil filter for our 99 Suburban. Whenever I've had anyone at an auto parts store look up a filter for it there's always been a little confusion about it, with the choice being either 2wd vs 4wd, or build date before 5/99 or after 5/99.

The two filters are more or less the same, but the "4wd" one is about half as long as the other "2wd" one. Our Suburban is a 4x4, so that's the one I get.

Tonight I realized what the deal is -- ours was built in 8/98 (just checked tonight) and so it's the old body style. I think they switched body styles halfway through 1999. Turns out I've been getting the wrong filter.

I assume that since it doesn't get driven much, using the shorter filter will be OK, right?

Looking at the Wix site, the only difference in specs is the length and the burst pressure (a little higher on the correct filter).

 

[SuperBusa]

I think you're OK. I've seen some pretty small oil filters called out by the manufactures, and I haven't heard of any major issues with them. I think as long as your engine is in pretty good shape and your OCI was relatively often then no harm was done IMO. But my goal is to always use the larger filter if one is available ... certainly can't hurt. In fact, I've noticed some of the smaller versions for the same car are actually more expensive in the same brand/model ... who knows why?

 

[oilboy123]

Don't sweat what has been on it. Try to run the bigger one if you can. I would myself.

 

[rationull]

I'm going for a yearly OCI on this vehicle, and this year it's got about 1500 miles on it, so yeah it's not exactly an extended drain. The smaller one must be spec'd on the newer style for clearance reasons with the frame or suspension -- the engine is the same AFAIK -- so I figure it's probably fine. I've been on the smaller filter already for this year anyway...

If I go back into town near autozone before doing the change this weekend then maybe I'll exchange it. Otherwise I wont worry about it unless somebody brings up a reason.

This filter is way bigger than the one on my Civic anyway

 

[daman]

If thats a 4X4 OBS(old body style)chevy with the 5.7 350 engine
it uses the AC PF-52 oil filter or cross it over to your own.

 

[rationull]

It's got the 7.4 454 engine. The AC filter is listed as being PF454 (the short one) or PF1218 (the long one). I've got the Bosch equivalent to the PF454.

The AC Delco parts lookup site is actually more confusing since it doesn't seem to give a old style vs new style differentiation -- just lists both filters for the application.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: rationull
It's got the 7.4 454 engine. The AC filter is listed as being PF454 (the short one) or PF1218 (the long one). I've got the Bosch equivalent to the PF454.

The AC Delco parts lookup site is actually more confusing since it doesn't seem to give a old style vs new style differentiation -- just lists both filters for the application.

Ok then my older truck 350 takes the same filter PF1218 witch is
a very common larger filter,this is a 4x4??,can you run the larger 1218 then?? with the front drive shaft?

 

[labman]

Have you ever cut a filter open? Some bigger filters are a big, empty can. Some small filters are packed full of media. For a While I was using PF 52's in place of a PF 47. When I cut them open, some of the PF 52's had more media than the PF 47, an dsome not. Of course, I have no way of evaluating the quality of the media.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: labman
Have you ever cut a filter open?

me? yes i've cut many many open.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: daman
Ok then my older truck 350 takes the same filter PF1218 witch is
a very common larger filter,this is a 4x4??,can you run the larger 1218 then?? with the front drive shaft?



The larger filter would be a little tighter, but with the angle the filter mounts I'm pretty sure the larger one would fit. Basically the filter is mounted parallel to the ground, above the front drive shaft from the transfer case to the front differential.

In any case, I installed the shorter filter today. Speaking of cutting filters open, I should have pictures of the Wix I took off when I get a chance to cut it open, tomorrow or Monday.

 

[daman]

Ok then if the larger 1218 will fit i recomend using that one next OCI,more oil capacity,help cool little better,more filter media for better flowing(less by-pass)etc,etc.

 

[rationull]

Understood. Next time around I'll definitely get one of the larger ones, and make time to go to the store and exchange it during the oil change if it doesn't fit

 

[Eddie]

To answer the question. YES

 

[VQ35DE]

Originally Posted By: labman
Have you ever cut a filter open? Some bigger filters are a big, empty can. Some small filters are packed full of media. For a While I was using PF 52's in place of a PF 47. When I cut them open, some of the PF 52's had more media than the PF 47, an dsome not. Of course, I have no way of evaluating the quality of the media.


So does this mean that the media was not longer in some PF 52's than it was in some PF 47's? Was there just empty shell in the extra length?

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: VQ35DE
Originally Posted By: labman
Have you ever cut a filter open? Some bigger filters are a big, empty can. Some small filters are packed full of media. For a While I was using PF 52's in place of a PF 47. When I cut them open, some of the PF 52's had more media than the PF 47, an dsome not. Of course, I have no way of evaluating the quality of the media.


So does this mean that the media was not longer in some PF 52's than it was in some PF 47's? Was there just empty shell in the extra length?

every one of my 52's i opend had media fill the whole can,no nota problem in my filters.