oil filters

[brian.b]

hey guys where can i get a oil filter for my 48 kaiser....napa?

[joefrazer]

If your car has a canister style filter then it should use a NAPA 1080 filter. A word of caution though, many different canisters will work with the Kaiser engine so you'll need to know what brand canister you have to be sure the 1080 is correct.

[brian.b]

how do i tell which one i have

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

A picture of the filter as it sits on the engine will do.  By the way, what filter is in it now (brand and model type).  If you were a member of the KFOCI, you'd have the KFOCI HANDBOOK on CD which includes a rather good cross-reference of filters to various type used in K-F cars.  Otherwise, give the brand and model filter so I can cross it.

[brian.b]

heres one of the canister i dont have a filter now

[joefrazer]

Yep, I was right. NAPA 1080.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Looks like it could be. The canister suggests the factory filter unit used on the line during the 1947-50 model year KAISERS and FRAZERS.  The original factory filter was the K-F P/N 100136 replacement element filter.  The vendor for the assembly to K-F was Purolator, and they used the Purolator P-70 FF filter or the equivalent.  It was the same filter used on various other makes of cars including replacement element Chrysler Corporation cars of the period.  Check the Oil Filter Interchange list in the Handbook CD for other brands and types.

[joefrazer]

That's the same canister I have on my 50 and 53 Kaisers.

Interchange with NAPA 1080:
WIX 51080
Fram C134PL
AC PF316

[brian.b]

Thanks a lot guys...

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The longer motor oil sits in a crankcase, the more it gums up or otherwise deteriorates.  Even if you drive less than 100 miles a year, you need to change the oil as well as check the filter element (if you have a replaceable element filter as many K-F products use) for degree of dirt or filth.  Also the brand and type of oil is important as many of the current brands and standard types of oil (SL, SM, etc) are formulated for the metals and use conditions of late model engines not the older cars.  The lubrication people at Ford Motor Co. recommended either Quaker State or the Shell Rotella oil (originally intended for trucks and farm equipment) for older car engines (1940's, 50's etc) regardless of make or type.  They still contain trace elements of minerals that the metallurgy of older motors need for proper long-term life.

[boatingbill]

Farm implement dealers are good places to find bulk straight weight 20w or 30w motor oils. Many farmers are into old tractors
as a hobby and this oil is what are cars should use also.

[brian.b]

The only place I can find non detergent 30 weight is a dollar store will cheap brand oil be okay......does the oil have to be non detergent

[joefrazer]

I do not recommend dollar store oil as it is high in paraffin - a waxy substance that is used as a filler in oil. If your engine has alot of miles on it or has not been run for years, you'll want to continue to use non-detergent (ND) oil. I recently bought some at NAPA.

Detergent oils work by suspending the particulate matter in the oil and when the dirty stuff reaches the filter, it gets trapped. ND oils do not have that cleansing action so sludge tends to stay where it forms.

I switched from ND oil to a detergent in my 53K and have noticed no issues with the engine. I do keep the oil clean and that is the key to long engine life.

[brian.b]

when i got my car the filter cannister had sludge in it it had sat for over 20 years i put a quart of kerosene in the crankcase and ran it and drained and refilled with regular oil but its still dirty should i just drain it and refill with 30 weight from napa.....

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

As noted in various postings, new formulation motor oils (SL, SM, etc) should NOT be used in any older car engines as a general rule because their formulas have changed to meet the new metallurgy and other operating requirements of today's engines.  Quaker State and Shell Rotella (or something that shows it includes zinc in the mixture) are needed in the older motors even though older cars may not be driven that much.  Oil that sits in one spot for a prolonged period of time (like garaged and driven only in good weather up in the North East) will sludge up on its own.