Oil filters for Fram canisters

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Steve Douglas
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Oil filters for Fram canisters

#1 Post by Steve Douglas »

Over the years there have been several mentions about the large oil filter gaskets not fitting. The Rule is: Fram uses the rubber gasket, the others H Filter and Mann uses the paper.

Yesterday my friend was changing his oil on his ’62 356 and went to put the new filter in and found the gasket didn’t fit. He had just purchased the Mahle OX 79 from a So Cal Porsche parts store, it stated fits all 356-912. He called me to ask what to do…. He lives fairly close so I asked him to bring his filter, gasket and the top of his filter over. He has a Fram filter identified by the small dimples along the edge of the filter canister top. The gasket supplied was a blueish Renz paper gasket, which will fit the H-Filter and Mann Filters but not the Fram. I keep a stock of the Wix 51010 or the Napa 1010 as they have the rubber gasket that fits the Fram canister.
Looking at most of the reseller’s websites that are listed on the Registry vendor listing, only NLA mentions that their gasket will fit both styles of canisters. The rest offer the Mahle and showing the paper gasket. I had previously ordered a rubber gasket from Stoddard part number 546.07.829 and it came as paper, not fitting the Fram canister.
Fram C3P supplies both the rubber and paper gaskets with some or their filters, but not always and the cost is $21-28 from Amazon. Rockauto $11.17 and Card $14.84. I think the Fram quality seems to be a less than other brands.
Wix and Napa (identical), are much better constructed, but have only the rubber gasket fitting the Fram. Amazon has them for $9.41. Plus they have much more surface area, bigger diameter than the Mahle.
Hastings, Baldwin, and most other brands supply only the paper, why because they are for tractors. The Ford Tractor 6N & 8N used the Fram canister and needs the rubber gaskets.
Why don’t the parts resellers mention that their filters have paper gaskets that won’t fit Fram, which is most common on A and B models?
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Steve Douglas
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#2 Post by Steve Douglas »

The photos for the previous post didn't load from the draft, so here they are. Paper gasket not fitting Fram top, the two Six and Mahle showing sizes , and the Wix rubber gasket fitting the Fram top
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Steve Turino
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#3 Post by Steve Turino »

I have used the Mahle filter with the paper gasket in my Fram canister for the last five years with no problems. I just massage it into the groove, seems to compress in to shape when clamped down with the bolt and no leaks. Good to know that the Wix and Napa 1010s fit as they are more accessible.
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Bruce Smith
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#4 Post by Bruce Smith »

Spread some oil on the gasket and let it soak in, it will help. Soaking it in water also works.
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Jon Schmid
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#5 Post by Jon Schmid »

+1 on the Wix 51010 unit. A very well made unit with a fitting rubber gasket at a very reasonable price. Plus, they are readily available.

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Al Zim
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#6 Post by Al Zim »

Your concept that the filter actually filter oil is a GROSS MISCONCEPTION! After a long discussion regarding the amount of oil filtered the consensus was that about 4% of the oil was filtered. NOT 100% that was integrated into American engines beginning with engines that had overhead valves. LOOK! LOOK AGAIN! AT THE 3mm HOLE IN THE TUBE THAT IS IN CENTER OF THE OIL FILTER. THAT IS WHAT FLOWS ALL THE OIL IN THE FILTER! VW did not have a filter on any of its air cooled engines!!! Porsche did not have a real filter on its 356/912 engines. Your car will run just fine without an oil filter. The more often you change the oil the happier you and your engine will be. Just drain it do not remove the sump screen and plate (Use the drain plug under cylinder 3) If you remove the sump plate The 6 MM nuts should be torqued to 8 FT LBS. Zim
It never hurts to send the oil out for an analysis. WE use Blackstone Lab, 416 E. Pettit Ave, Ft. Wayne, IN 46806-3103
Last edited by Al Zim on Tue Dec 06, 2022 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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John Brooks
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#7 Post by John Brooks »

For over 50 years I have used an NAPA part number 1010, comes with a rubber gasket.
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Paul Ahnell
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#8 Post by Paul Ahnell »

+1, John.
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Carl Swirsding
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#9 Post by Carl Swirsding »

Thanks Steve. I have been reusing my one and only rubber gasket for probably 20 years. Now I know where to get a replacement. Whooohoooo.
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Graeme Langford
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#10 Post by Graeme Langford »

Jon Schmid wrote: Sun Dec 04, 2022 1:16 pm +1 on the Wix 51010 unit. A very well made unit with a fitting rubber gasket at a very reasonable price. Plus, they are readily available.
Thank you Jon. Just ordered two from Amazon.
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#11 Post by Jim Beam »

Is there any downside to simply reusing the existing cannister lid seal when changing oil/filter? Fits fine with no issues at all. Why would I need to change the seal?
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Graeme Langford
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Re: Oil filters for Fram canisters

#12 Post by Graeme Langford »

If it does not leak then I do not see a problem
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