Classic/Antique Car Repair/oil filters

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Expert: - 7/12/2011


Question
On a 1955 Plymouth belvedere 6 cylinder flathead, nobody seems to know what to do about the oil filter or can even identify it.  It appears to be one of the originals if what I think is actually the oil filter . It is a kind of heavy canister like thing with a small connection going into the top and another coming out the bottom.  Some say it is  an oil cooling  thing others say it is a permanent filter that you don't change but the original owners manual cam
e with it and states to change the filter which shows a drawing that looks like this thing.  It doesn't appear that you could take it apart.  Any suggestions?

Answer
That was the original type of filter that was installed on the car from the factory. The Purolator number was PER 1/2. When you changed the filter the entire thing was replaced by removing the line at the top and bottom. There are companies that deal in antique auto parts that advertise in Hemmings Motor News, the old car hobbies classified bible, like Andy Bernbaum in Newton Mass. WWW.oldmoparts.com. The part number is L280 and sells for $45.00. I am sure that with a little looking in Hemmings you might find a better price.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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