First time changing oil on 318 and headers are in the way of new oil filter. Any idea of what alternative oil filter can fit it?

[tonyp25]

The oil filter that came off was a carquest R85085 and is about 3 1/4” tall. No idea what engine it’s supposed to fit but I guess it was running on this 318 for awhile.

I bought a wix 51515 and is roughly 5” tall. This filter is hitting the headers and I’m unable to spin it on.

Didn’t know if there was a recommended shorter filter or just buy a new carquest one that was on there?

 

[WileE]

We used to install the angle adapter on small blocks with headers, a common practice back then. Or, use a shorter filter. You can cross-reference to get a better filter. A Mopar MO-090, or a K&N 2004.

 

[R413]

Everyone makes a short filter

51085 WIX is short

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Use the short filter

 

[Cranky]

I use a 1068 or 51068 WIX....same same as far as numbers go and that's without the angle adapter. Have to use that one on 1st gen Dakota but you might look up what a 1st gen Dakota is supposed to use because it's even smaller. I always use the largest one possible on my junk. The Dakota came with one that was pretty short and smaller diameter.

 

[khryslerkid]

WIX 51085

 

[Cranky]

WIX 51085

Is that the smaller diameter than the 51068?

 

[Darter6]

Compare a oil filter for a Chrysler PT Cruiser Turbo. Short with a thinner body.
Numbers like K&N SO-2009 Napa Gold 7356 STP S3600XL Many others.
I have been using these on all of my Mopars for well over 20 years.
The Turbo models have a thicker case Plenty room on my LA318 with headers.
Damn if I could find the Wix number

 

[dadsbee]

Still have R413's numbers sitting on my desk here..

51515 5 3/16"
51068 4 5/16"
51521 3 3/4"

Buy the one that'll work...

 

[WileE]

The filters I mentioned, are about 4" height, as well as the Wix 51085. The K&N 2009 filters are about 5" height. ( the filter you pulled x-refs to the 51085 sizes )

 

[khryslerkid]

Is that the smaller diameter than the 51068?

It's the original wide, short filter.

From A bodies...

WIX 'Baldwin Length
51515 B2 5-13/32
51068 B233 4-3/8
51085 B34 3-7/8
51335 'B7221 2-9/16

WIX oil filter

 

[tonyp25]

It's the original wide, short filter.

From A bodies...

WIX 'Baldwin Length
51515 B2 5-13/32
51068 B233 4-3/8
51085 B34 3-7/8
51335 'B7221 2-9/16

WIX oil filter

Thanks for this. Turns out the 51068 was too big but the 51085 fits perfect. Still seems close to the headers but there’s space. Also learned that I could easily google oil filter cross reference and search myself for the future.

As a novice is there any risk going with a smaller oil filter? I’m obviously not racing a 318 so from a performance standpoint I’m not sure it matters.

 

[Darter6]

As a novice is there any risk going with a smaller oil filter? I’m obviously not racing a 318 so from a performance standpoint I’m not sure it matters.

Like most of us car nuts,we change oil way more often than most daily driver cars.
My motorhome with a Chevy Workhorse engine has a oil filter that is tiny. Oil has come along way since the 60's and 70's.
Much less chance of formation of sludge like the old days.
Biggest thing is to make sure you run the engine to full operation temp to burn off any moisture that forms in the engine.
No risk as far as I'm concerned.

 

[WileE]

As a novice is there any risk going with a smaller oil filter? I’m obviously not racing a 318 so from a performance standpoint I’m not sure it matters.

Not at all, you'll be fine.

 

[Cranky]

In 92 I bought a new Dakota V8 and it came with the small diameter short filter and I wanted the slightly more capacity. Went to Western Auto down the street (remember WA) and asked for a 1068. The store manager just happened to be at the register and he saw what I drove up with and asked if it was for the Dakota. Yup....then he said it's the wrong filter. Told him it will fit and that I didn't want to run that baby filter and that's when he said it's gonna make the pressure drop. I almost burst out laughing but he was dead serious. I just shook my head and said I'd check to make sure that it didn't do that.

 

[Darter6]

I just shook my head and said I'd check to make sure that it didn't do that.

I think that is common with many parts guys today.They just don't know us old guys way of thinking.
NOT saying that you are old....

 

[Cranky]

I think that is common with many parts guys today.They just don't know us old guys way of thinking.
NOT saying that you are old....

Yeah, I think counter jockeys got dumbed down when computers moved into the parts business.....and I can't say I'm all that young anymore at 74 lol