Options for a larger oil filter on the 8.1L

[ShortCrew]

I went to the parts store today to look at some alternatives to the tiny filter we have. The AC Delco 1218 looks nice. It a little more than twice the length but the same diameter. The o-ring was exactly the same too. I just have to find out if it has the same thread patter.

 

Anyone know of other filters that will fit that are larger?

[Pancho]

If you have the 4x4 your are going to have to go w a filter relocation kit. I have the kit but am working my way through the box of stock filters I bought from GM PartsDirect. I only have a couple more to go and then will be installing the kit. I am a bit concerned about the oil lines clearing the front drive shaft.

 

Back to your question, if you have a two wheel drive there were several larger filters posted about a year ago either on this forum or pickuptrucks.com forum that will work. I beleive a couple were Mobile1 filters as that was what I was looking for at the time.

[Charlie in TX]

You need a filter with an anti-drainback valve. It is one of the 'cures' for the CSK.

[ShortCrew]

Why would you need an anti drail back valve on a filter that sits threaded side up? The filter wont drain back into the engine no matter what.

 

From what I have found, the 1218 is a longer version of the 454. You need the 454 on 4x4 because the 1218 comes down in contact with the front drive shaft. On the 4x2, there should be no clearance issues. The 1218 should hold close to 1 more quart than the 454.

 

The 1218 was the standard filter on the 7.4L big block but was replaced by the 454 for more clearance.

 

If you go on the web to www.acdelco.com and look up a 1997 2500 truck with the big block, you will get the 1218 as the correct filter.

 

Also, when you do a parts search for the PF1218, one of the thousands of fitments that come up is the 2001 Silverado 8.1L.

 

Larger filter, here I come!

[Charlie in TX]

Why would you need an anti drail back valve on a filter that sits threaded side up? The filter wont drain back into the engine no matter what.

The valve keeps the oil in the motor not the filter.

 

Do you always ask for opinions and argue with them when you get them?

[ShortCrew]

The valve keeps the oil in the motor not the filter.

 

Do you always ask for opinions and argue with them when you get them?

I'm not sure where you see an argument. I'm trying to understand how an anti-drain back valve would work on a filter mounted perfectly vertical. If you turn off the motor, how will the oil drain back into the oil pan? Wouldn't it have to defy gravity?

[Victory Red]

The valve keeps the oil in the motor not the filter.

Say what?

 

How are you going to keep the oil in the motor after you shut it off? You can't have a valve in every drain hole and oil passage in the block. Only filters designed to be mounted sideways or on an angle would require a drain back vavle. Say, on a motorcycle or some Jap cars I've seen. Oil in your truck's filter will not defy gravity and jump back into the oil pan after you stop running it.

 

I think the whole point of this topic to begin with was the question of using a larger oil filter. Using a larger filter can only do more good, IMHO. A high quality filter of a larger size can only help extend engine life. But it seems the General doesn't agree with me, as the filters seem to be shrinking on our trucks the last few years. My '01 Silverado had a PF59 and my '03 Sierra has a tiny PF44 filter. Same size engine and options on both trucks. Go figure! GM is just trying to save a few bucks. Get a filter relocation kit or go with a largest filter you can fit in the stock location. That's my advise.

[ShortCrew]

Well, I did the first oil change on my 8.1L today using Valvoline Synthetic Blend and the AC Delco PF1218 filter.

 

The filter fits perfect, no surprise. The truck now take an even 7 quarts, vs. the stock 6.5. The only reason I can see not to run this filter is if there are clearance issues on the 4x4 models. It may come too close to the front drive shaft.

 

But on the two wheel drives, its a perfect fit.

 

[Professor]

The 1218 does have the Anti-drainback valve. Actually the 1218 was first used on the Turbo Trans Am Anniversary edition. In the mid 93 models started using them to replace the PF35 on the 2WD Full size pickups and Suburban. This happened about Jan 93 production. The 1218 is identical to the 35 and I have used it for years on my 82 Chevy. In the last 6 months ACDelco has discontinued the PF35 replacing it with the 1218.

 

I have compared the 454 and the 1218 visually. They appear to be exchangeable, but I haven’t compared the specs. I’m betting it works except for clearance issues as shortcrew seems to found out already.

[Charlie in TX]

Short Crew, Victory Red, have you changed your own oil? Have you noticed the large amoung of oil that comes from the motor (and down your arm) when you loosen the filter. It is caused from the anti-drain valve.

 

A little bit of a hystory lesson. The 'LS1' based motors (ie corvette) was originally released with non anti-drain oil filters. Their logic was as yours, 'how can the oil drain from a virtical filter'? Syphon(sp?). The motors had the CSK problem. One of the 'fixes' was the anti-drain valve. It has continued on all the new motors based on this design. If it fixed the problem on any of the motors or not. who knows? What I do know is the current filter has an anti-drain valve.

 

If you wan't to continue to argue about, it's not my motor run what you want. You ask for advice and I gave it to you. Go find any filter with the right thread and gasket and use it. But as the Professor reported the 1218 does have the anti-drain valve. Sence your truck doesn't need it don't use that filter. Sarkasm intended.

[Hacksaw Hilliard]

The anti-drain valve is to keep oil in the filter, not the motor. As proof of this, next time you change your oil, install the filter without adding oil to it. When you turn on the engine, you'll notice the oil pressure warning light come on briefly until pressure builds up. It won't do that if there is oil in the filter.

[Black02Silverado]

Not to get off the subject or anything but the oil filter that my 21 hp kawasaki lawn mower takes is the same filter that goes on my sisters 2000 toyota celica. I look at it this way, her car is under filtered and the kawasaki is just right.

[raventai]

I use UPF1218's on my 2 wheel 8.1

 

here is the original thread, for some reason the posts are all out of order

 

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...?showtopic=5713