Remembering something that I read from an old "Fiero News" article I looked it up & found it, (summer 1988) saying that using a PF-51 oil filter is suicidal to a Fiero. The correct filter should be the PF-52 (Fram # PH3980) or the PF-47, due to they have check valves in the filters & do not drain overnight resulting a cold start knock. Any opinions?

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There's no shame in not owning tools.
Just like there's no shame in holding your wife's purse for a minute.

PETE GT

I use the purolater number 4011 on my 2.8 GT. It holds more oil than the shorter filter. More oil is better and keeps the engine cooler (just don't overfill the crankcase)....I guess that's why most german cars take 8 quarts.
Dave

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1987 GT (my toy-see above), 1987 GT (daily driver), 1986 SE with a VW VR6, certified master technician/shop owner
www.njautobahn.com

I use the Duke oil filter (AC Delco PF-52 / Purolator L24011) on my 2.8, because it has greater oil capacity and larger filter area than the stock V6 oil filter. It also has a check valve.

There is nothing wrong using a stock filter. There is plenty of filter material in the smaller can to do the job. If in doubt, change it between oil changes but don't get hung up on using the larger filter.

I have used the 51 on other cars and I don't see where that specifically would be an issue. On the V6 the filter is at an angle so it will hold oil regardless of the check valve. I've never really looked at an L4. Are they horizontal?

[This message has been edited by TK (edited 09-13-2008).]

My Iron duke is horizontal. The '84 had the larger filter and the '87 the smaller one. My '96 Jimmy has the larger and my 2001 S10...the smaller...go figure. Jimmy and S10 are both 4.3L Vortec engines.

quote Originally posted by bmwguru: I use the purolater number 4011 on my 2.8 GT. It holds more oil than the shorter filter. More oil is better and keeps the engine cooler (just don't overfill the crankcase)....I guess that's why most german cars take 8 quarts. Dave

And that's why I also own a BMW. I would make some other comments about the E34 but that's not necessary here.

You can't get PF51 anymore that I've seen. Even GM lists PF52 for anything that called for it now. Yes, the only dif is the anti drain valve, and yes again it won't hurt and is preferred to have that on the L4. If you had a car with the filter opening straight up, the PF52 would still be ok just the valve doesn't do much for you at that point.

For Fiero... The 84 is the only L4 that actually calls for the long filter in an effort to slightly increase total system volume. It can be used and is even listed for 85-87 depending on brand. (Some brands don't offer the short filter.)

I use the long filter partly for the same reason as the 84... But also because it's a hell of allot easier to reach. That extra length makes filter replacement significantly less annoying.

For service life, the short filter is just fine. If you plug one up then something fairly major is going wrong. Assuming same brand/construction, you don't gain allot, if anything, in terms of service life from using the longer one. Mostly the two things I just mentioned are it.

Also... whenever you use the long one, make sure you buy enough oil. You'll need a little more than spec to get to the full line. And you want these filled close to full line after a change. Expect about 4.5 quarts for 85-87.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
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The AC Delco PF-52 is the long filter. The PF-47 is the short filter. Both will work on the 2.8/3.1/3.4 engines. The long filter obviously has more filter medium and higher capacity but the micron size of the filter medium is all the same. These filters will also fit the 3800 engine and the choice will be dependent on the oil filter adapter used.
A while back there was an online study done on different brands of oil filters. AC Delco was one of the best and used the largest amount and finest filter medium while Fram was one of the lowest rated filters and had the smallest amount of filter material in it.. Surprisingly the inexpensive Walmart (Tech) house brand of oil filters were taken apart, evaluated and found to be quite good too.

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87GT - 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles
87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H
" I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

You should use the AC Delco PF-52; NAPA- Gold; Bosch-3430; K&N HP-2001 or STP-S3980. NEVER use any FRAM filters; they are the cheapest pieces of crap ever made, thanks to the number crunching neerds at Fram and it's parent company. Fram WAS the best until they were bought by Allied. The number crunching neerds decided to made the former metal parts out of plastic and the former plastic parts out of cardboard. The black grip was added to make it look like an external improvement while the insides were turned to crap.

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