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Rather than resurrecting a four year old for-sale ad, I merged your two identical questions. The filter in that old thread that you resurrected is the correct filter for a 1970 - the white AC PF30. They are long out of production. Any new filter you can buy today will not be optically correct. PF24 is the replacement for PF30. New AC filters are imported and quality degraded considerably when production was moved. For example, the top plate is much thinner metal than were the older ones. If you care about correct appearance, you need a white PF30. Expect to pay dearly. If you care about protecting your engine, use a WIX 51049 (or the identical NAPA Gold 1049).
By the way, you can now buy a PF30 decal that you can apply to a WIX filter to look correct.
As always Joe your information is invaluable. If I could pose a relevant query without hijacking the thread - what’s the difference between NAPA Gold 1045 and NAPA Gold 1049? Thank you.
Edit: I did find the burst pressure is higher at 325 pounds per inch with the 1045 versus 260 pounds per inch with the 1049, and the 1049 is approximately .3 inches taller with an OD approx .7” larger. Other than that?!
Last edited by vCode442; November 17th, 2020 at 01:38 PM.
Joe, is the 51045 the later-model baby filter? I use the 51049 large filter on mine, and I recall the correct short/fat one for my application is 51258.
DAMMIT, I always mix those up. I've got 1045s (the small one) for my 307 cars and the 1049 (the large one) for my older cars. For some reason my mind wants to think that the lower number is for the earlier cars. Thanks for catching me on that. I've corrected my first post in this thread, but again, the correct large diameter filter is 51049 / 1049. Sorry for the confusion. I guess I need more coffee.
I read a few “studies” of Fran oil filters quality - or lack thereof - conducted in the late 90’s. Basically calls Fram oil filters “Scam Fram”. I was looking for more recent tests on oil filters - even checked Consumer Reports but couldn’t find any. Has the quality of Fram oil filters improved ? What’s the science behind finding a good and quality reliable oil filter ?
Thanks for the updated numbers, I just checked on the O' Reilys site and when I search for the WIX 51049 it shows it and its white, however it says not for my vehicle.
It shows a WIX 51258 for a 70 442, and it shows a white K&N # HP2003 that works for it.
Is it just their search engine has poor info?
Thanks for the updated numbers, I just checked on the O' Reilys site and when I search for the WIX 51049 it shows it and its white, however it says not for my vehicle.
It shows a WIX 51258 for a 70 442, and it shows a white K&N # HP2003 that works for it.
Is it just their search engine has poor info?
51258 is the equivalent to the OEM filter in size. 51049 is longer, has more filter media area, and fits just fine. I use 51049 on all of my 60s-70s Oldsmobiles.
The gasket diameter and thread on the 51049 is the same as the 51258 and 51045 filters, so as long as there is clearance for the longer, larger (1 quart?) 51049 filter, it will work in place of the smaller filters.
Will the larger capacity oil filter 51049 show a lower fill level on the oil dip stick ?
If it does do you add a bit more oil to bring the level up a bit ?
Or it really makes no difference ?
I've used NAPA Gold for years but recently bought Mobil1 filters.
I thought the oil looked clearer than usual at my first oil change. And then oil analysis showed 10% less mass of particles. We'll see if that holds, but it's a good start.
They do claim it filters to a finer level than others.
And if you want a factory correct restoration , paint the entire filter the same color as the engine .
That's the way they came from the factory .
The engines were painted after the filter was installed .
Last edited by Charlie Jones; November 19th, 2020 at 06:48 PM.
From what I can find, the change from white to blue appears to have happened about 1974 - though I do not have definitive proof of the date. Prior to that the OEM filters were white.
November 17th, 2020, 12:56 PM
