Stubborn oil filter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DRGunn · 07-10-2015, 11:23 AM

Just did the first oil change on the 71. The oil filter did not want to budge. I destroyed my belt type filter wrench and almost folded the filter in half doing it.

After applying (long) screwdriver and hammer, and peeling some of the case back) it started to yield. Pics to follow (as soon as I figure out how).

What causes the filter to "stick" to the engine?

GRX · 07-10-2015, 11:28 AM

Been there, done that. What causes the filter to "stick" to the engine? Two things usually. Dry application and over tightening.

And

to the Forum

GASoline71 · 07-10-2015, 11:32 AM

What GRX said... and also (not sure if this is from a recent rebuild) if you painted the sealing surface on the block.

Gary

n33k0 · 07-10-2015, 11:45 AM

I've had that happen a few times on different vehicles. If it doesn't budge after a few minutes of turning by hand, it gets the clamps! (squeeze & turn the filter with big clamps)

Lemield · 07-10-2015, 12:12 PM

Hey DRGunn,

Since you are a neighbor, come over and borrow my '460's'.....Never met a filter they couldn't take off....

**Stocker** · 07-10-2015, 12:23 PM

What they said. The filter will tighten itself (don't ask me why, but they always do) so when you install it, after wiping the engine mounting surface clean and lightly oiling the filter gasket, just snug the new filter by hand only.

DRGunn · 07-10-2015, 12:40 PM

I have several pairs but the filter is tucked away in what appears to be difficult at best to get to the filter.

But the ball peen and (long) screwdriver succeeded in freeing it up.

I'm up by Standley lake (N. side). Just obtained this truck.

Sklptrljay · 07-10-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemield

hey drgunn,

since you are a neighbor, come over and borrow my '460's'.....never met a filter they couldn't take off....

x2

Lemield · 07-10-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRGunn

I have several pairs but the filter is tucked away in what appears to be difficult at best to get to the filter.

But the ball peen and (long) screwdriver succeeded in freeing it up.

I'm up by Standley lake (N. side). Just obtained this truck.

I'm about 64th and Sheridan. Got any pictures of the truck to show all of us?

DRGunn · 07-10-2015, 04:17 PM

A little rough but still has the push button radio...

Lemield · 07-10-2015, 04:19 PM

She looks good to me.

**truckster** · 07-10-2015, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRGunn

What causes the filter to "stick" to the engine?

Jiffy Lube, WalMart Auto Service, any quick-change oil place. Most filter manufacturers recommend lubing the gasket with fresh oil and then spinning it on and tightening it 1/4 turn after the gasket contacts the mounting surface. The guys who work at those places tend to crank the filters down tight because they think they'll leak if they don't.

**jabborabbo** · 07-10-2015, 09:25 PM

I've had the same problem on my '67 a couple of times...put fresh oil on the new filter gasket, tightened it 1/4 turn by hand after it made contact with the block, and then destroyed it a few months later trying to get it off...

**WIDESIDE72** · 07-11-2015, 11:48 AM

A few years back I helped a buddy swap a Ram jet 350 into his 68 stepside. It came from gm with filter installed. He ran it through the break in procedure as they specified, but when he went to change the oil he couldn't get the filter off. We tried the old screwdriver through the side trick. We got all of the canister shredded but it still wouldn't budge. He ended up with nothing but the steel ring left and had to use a chisel to get that off. He called gm and they said "oh, we've had a few people call and tell us the same thing." Gee thanks. Nothing like spending a day beating on a filter, risking shredding your hands on razor sharp metal, only to be told, basically, "yea, we know, but decided not to tell anyone or do anything but keep selling them as is.l

GRX · 07-11-2015, 01:42 PM

Rather a fan of the socket type tool, provided there is space.

72chevyk10 · 07-11-2015, 03:01 PM

on my big block i had the trans mount bolts go through the oil filter mount and locked it in. after shredding the filter we found the bolt holding it on.

**WIDESIDE72** · 07-11-2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevyk10

on my big block i had the trans mount bolts go through the oil filter mount and locked it in. after shredding the filter we found the bolt holding it on.

You lost me there...

treveiger · 07-11-2015, 07:05 PM

That looked like my filter on my Honda last time I changed it. Those things welded on there!

72chevyk10 · 07-12-2015, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

You lost me there...

big blocks have a trans bolt that goes through the oil filter mount. too long a bolt will lock the filter down

**WIDESIDE72** · 07-13-2015, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevyk10

big blocks have a trans bolt that goes through the oil filter mount. too long a bolt will lock the filter down

Huh... Thats a new one on me. Ive had more sbc than i can count, but only recently acquired a 454 for my 79 malibu. I also have a 70 Longhorn with a big block 400. My dad had an 80 GMC c30 that had a 350 when he bought it. We swapped it for a 72 454. Never had an issue, but then again we never did any trans swaps after that.

72chevyk10 · 07-14-2015, 04:38 PM

my truck is kinda a mickey mouse rig. so it probly got longer trans bolts somewhere along the way haha. put a little bit shorter bolt at oil filter and never had another issue

07-10-2015, 11:23 AM	#1
DRGunn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Westminster, Colorado Posts: 14	Stubborn oil filter Just did the first oil change on the 71. The oil filter did not want to budge. I destroyed my belt type filter wrench and almost folded the filter in half doing it. After applying (long) screwdriver and hammer, and peeling some of the case back) it started to yield. Pics to follow (as soon as I figure out how). What causes the filter to "stick" to the engine? Attached Images

07-10-2015, 11:28 AM	#2
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: Stubborn oil filter Been there, done that. What causes the filter to "stick" to the engine? Two things usually. Dry application and over tightening. And to the Forum

07-10-2015, 11:45 AM	#4
n33k0 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 184	Re: Stubborn oil filter I've had that happen a few times on different vehicles. If it doesn't budge after a few minutes of turning by hand, it gets the clamps! (squeeze & turn the filter with big clamps)

07-10-2015, 12:12 PM	#5
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: Stubborn oil filter Hey DRGunn, Since you are a neighbor, come over and borrow my '460's'.....Never met a filter they couldn't take off.... Attached Images __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

07-10-2015, 12:23 PM	#6
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,696	Re: Stubborn oil filter What they said. The filter will tighten itself (don't ask me why, but they always do) so when you install it, after wiping the engine mounting surface clean and lightly oiling the filter gasket, just snug the new filter by hand only. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-10-2015, 12:40 PM	#7
DRGunn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Westminster, Colorado Posts: 14	Re: Stubborn oil filter I have several pairs but the filter is tucked away in what appears to be difficult at best to get to the filter. But the ball peen and (long) screwdriver succeeded in freeing it up. I'm up by Standley lake (N. side). Just obtained this truck.

07-10-2015, 04:17 PM	#10
DRGunn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Westminster, Colorado Posts: 14	Re: Stubborn oil filter A little rough but still has the push button radio... Attached Images

07-10-2015, 04:19 PM	#11
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: Stubborn oil filter She looks good to me. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

07-10-2015, 09:25 PM	#13
jabborabbo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Podunk, Texas Posts: 754	Re: Stubborn oil filter I've had the same problem on my '67 a couple of times...put fresh oil on the new filter gasket, tightened it 1/4 turn by hand after it made contact with the block, and then destroyed it a few months later trying to get it off...

07-11-2015, 11:48 AM	#14
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Stubborn oil filter A few years back I helped a buddy swap a Ram jet 350 into his 68 stepside. It came from gm with filter installed. He ran it through the break in procedure as they specified, but when he went to change the oil he couldn't get the filter off. We tried the old screwdriver through the side trick. We got all of the canister shredded but it still wouldn't budge. He ended up with nothing but the steel ring left and had to use a chisel to get that off. He called gm and they said "oh, we've had a few people call and tell us the same thing." Gee thanks. Nothing like spending a day beating on a filter, risking shredding your hands on razor sharp metal, only to be told, basically, "yea, we know, but decided not to tell anyone or do anything but keep selling them as is.l

07-11-2015, 01:42 PM	#15
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Rather a fan of the socket type tool, provided there is space. Attached Images

07-11-2015, 07:05 PM	#18
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: Stubborn oil filter That looked like my filter on my Honda last time I changed it. Those things welded on there! __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)



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