Vintage PF47 Cut Open

[Oversteer]

So I have a stash of old AC PF47 oil filters. I think they're from around 1982. One of them was lying in the trunk of my mom's old Buick, so I thought I'd cut it open to see if it was intact, and if I could use the rest of these filters on her car. Here are some pics of one of the nice boxed filters:

And here's the rusty one from the trunk cut open (and slightly mangled from using a hacksaw, sorry..):

Overall it still seems solid after 29 years or so. The media is difficult to tear apart, and the rubber pieces are still soft and pliable. I installed one of them on the Buick back in March and the car hasn't seemed to notice. I just thought the pictures would be interesting to someone here.

 

[OilNerd]

Very interesting, in fact. Looks like they went the sealed pleat/no endcap design and it seems longer than current PF47's.

Thanks for posting.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Nice and solid built filter. The media looks thick and a lot of them.

 

[cp3]

Thanx for posting!

Interesting to see the no end cap design for sure.

 

[Hootbro]

Was the filter or box marked with the country of origin? I remember buy AC Delco filter up until the late 1990's that were made in England and were built like a brick outhouse. I missed them.

 

[Oversteer]

This one is indeed made in England. I also have a US made AC filter in the stash from the mid 80s or so. That one has much larger oil inlet holes, I can probably post a pic of that one too.

 

[rustypigeon]

As soon as I saw the picture I knew it was an English PF47. My first 2 cars used PF47's. brings back memories.

 

[KCJeep]

Suprised at the low number of inlet holes, but it looks like a solid filter for sure.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
Suprised at the low number of inlet holes, but it looks like a solid filter for sure.


The combined area of the 6 inlet holes in the base is probably the same or more than the area of the hole in the base fitting on the engine.

 

[Virtuoso]

Good stuff!

 

[Drew99GT]

Look how thick the center tube is compared to most filters today! That thing would never collapse.

 

[Oversteer]

Here's the American made version:

And here's the back of the box, listing which engines this filter is intended for:

 

[wgtoys]

Ah, the good old days. Too many cost reduction "initiatives" between then and now for my taste.

Why have there been so many product cheapenings and outsourcing to low wage countries while the products we buy seem flimsier by the year AND more expensive?