The accessory spin-on oil filter adapters mount to the engine block in place of the original filter assembly, and they use the same square section rubber o-ring to seal against the engine block. The adapter will attach to the block with a single bolt, and the bottom end of that bolt will have a male thread that accepts the spin-on filter. The bolt should be locked in place with a lock tab washer with initial installation. When changing this type of oil filter the bolt to the block and the upper o-ring are not disturbed, so the filter can be changed without worrying about the o-ring. In this case the o-ring should get changed about as often as other internal engine gaskets. Perhaps whenever the oil sump is removed would be a good reminder to change the oil filter adapter o-ring. Or more likely this o-ring will only be renewed if the engine block is removed for machine work. At any rate you must replace this o-ring when installing the spin-on adapter, and be sure to remove any remnants of the original o-ring first.

Spin on oil filter adapter on left. - Original oil filter mount on right.
Notice that the spin on adapter does not have a pressure relief bypass valve,
so the spin on oil filter element must have a pressure relief bypass valve built in.


Spin on oil filter adapter mounted with original steel oil pipe.

Shown above is the Moss Motors spin-on oil filter adapter kit 235-940. This requires the shorter pipe from the late Tecalemit or Purolator canister. The longer pipe from the one-piece early Purolator canister will not fit. As with the original installation, the banjo bolt on the right can be replaced with a hose adapter, and the pipe can be replaced with hoses for an oil cooler installation.

Filters which can be used with the hanging spin on adapter:

AC   PF-56 AC PF952 (short) AC Delco Ultraguard Gold UPFL-400A Bosch 72-143 Bosch 72129 (short) Bosch 72161 CarQuest 85516 Champion C104 (short) Crosland 529 (short) Fram PH3512 (short) Fram PH-3600 (Fram PH-3614) Full   PH-400 Halfords HOF200 (short) K&N   HP-2009 Kralinator L38 Lee   LF-42

Mann W719/36 Mobil-1 M1-209 Moss 235-950 Motaquip VFL123 (short) Motorcraft FL-276 Motorcraft FL-313 (short) Motorcraft FL400A NAPA Gold 1516 Purolator L10101 (short) (was PER 101) Purolator L20064 Purolator L20195 Sears 45197 STP   SO-400 Unipart GFE173 (short) Unipart GFE443 Wix 51335 (short) Wix   51516

Note: There has been a problem with the Moss hanging spin-on filter adapter for some time. Some of the above listed filters will jam onto the adapter and cause problems with removal. See the faulty parts report. Until this problem is resolved, be careful about which spin-on filter you use with this adapter.

There will be a few other aftermarket spin-on oil filter adapters on the market. The one shown here attaches below the original filter head for late Tecalemit for Purolator canister filters, both of which incorporate a pressure relief bypass valve, so the spin-on filter canister does not need an internal pressure bypass valve. This is a neat idea, but it depends on the presence of the original Splash Plate on the Filter Head, a part that is sometimes missing. Note that the "Splash Plate" part is originally crimped in place as a part of the original filter head and should not be removable. This splash plate apparently has a different size center hole for Tecalemit and Purolator assemblies, and ditto the mating pilot diameter on the original filter head. As such this O-ring and spin-on adapter may not fit one of these filter heads (but I don't know which one as yet). Installation instructions from the manufacturer follow:

THINK Automotive ltd

FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
SPIN ON FILTER ADAPTERS

To compensate for variations in the filter head tolerances the Spin On consists of three parts Spin On Inner and Outer and an O-ring. The variations in tolerances are taken up by the Spin On Outer sliding over the Spin On Inner. The integrity of the seal between the Inner and Outer is maintained by an O-ring.

Fitting instructions for kit number FC289 MG A & B.

a. Remove the existing oil filter bowl & sealing ring.
Leave the Splash Plate in position.

b. Fit the extension screw (item 2) to spigot (item 1). Fit the large dia seal (item 6) to the Filter Head. MBR>
c. Apply grease to the O ring (item 5) and then fit the Spin On assembly (item 3).

d. To assure that the inner O ring (item 5) is seated correctly slide the Spin On Outer over the Spin On Inner so that the outer seal face sits back from the Filter Head seal when the unit is assembled to the Filter Head.

e. Secure the assembly to the Filter Head with the spigot and extension screw assembly, tighten the spigot until the O ring contacts the seal face then tighten a further 1/4 of a turn. Push the Spin On Outer home. The oil seal between the Spin On Outer and the Filter Head will be created when the Oil Filter is fitted.

f. Fit the Oil Filter in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Re-tighten after running 100 miles.

We recommend oil filters with 3/4" UNF thread and anti-drain valve, eg Fram PH966.

8318FI Issue 2

Kit of parts

1 off Spin On Assembly (item 3)
1 off O ring 3.53mm dia (item 5)
1 off Seal (item 6)
1 off Spigot (item 1)
1 off Extension Screw (item 2)
 

Think Automotive 292 Worten Road Isleworth

t : 020 85681172 f : 020 88475338 e : info@thinkauto.co.uk

Here are pictures of bottom side of an original filter head, late Tecalemit or Purolator type, with and without the splash plate. There is a shoulder on the center pilot diameter of the filter head so there will be 3/16-inch space between the splash plate and the bottom flat surface of the filter head. Oil enters at the long projection port on the left, passes downward through the square hole, then passes down around the outer edge of the splash plate, then radially inward through the filter element, and finally upward through the center hole into the engine block. The smaller round hole on the right side is the passage to the pressure relief bypass valve (in case the filter element may be clogged enough to not pass the full flow of oil).

This splash plate should be staked in place as a permanent part of the filter head so it does not fall off when the filter is being changed. If the splash plate is missing then a filter element can sit directly against the filter head, in which case the filter element might block part of the inlet or bypass port or might allow oil to bypass the filter element regularly without being filtered. Missing splash plate may also defeat proper fitting of the spin-on adapter shown above.