1950s Oil filter canister correct installation

[Lexi]

Thanks Clay. Hopefully this thread will be of help to future Cadillac enthusiasts.
I have had my Mitutoyo calipers for at least 20 years and have never failed me.

Regards,
Bob

You are welcome. I bought my Mitutoyo calipers probably in the 1990s, used, at an auto swap meet. They have been fantastic and very reliable. Clay/Lexi

[tluke]

Thank you Bob! Your response to my request for measurements was more than I could have ever expected!

Terry

[cadman59]

Thank you Bob for the acurate measurements!

[Daffer]

Came across this post I didn't even realize I was missing that bottom spacer. Does anyone know where you can find one or one very similar?

[TJ Hopland]

Makes me think of a flanged bushing.  They are available in various materials.   I would think the only somewhat critical dimension is the overall height so should not be too hard to find some standard part that would work.  If you could not find the right height you could likely go longer and trim it down with basic tools if you had to.  McMaster Carr would be where I would start my search since their search and catalog is probably one of the better ones.   Once you find what the closest standard size is you may then be able to search that and find different suppliers or materials.   

[Joe Jensen]

After reading this post, I think I also need assistance on the oil filter assembly on my 49.  I don't see a top hat on my filter assembly but I do see a shoulder on the center tube.  I have included pictures showing the empty canister and that shoulder on the tub. 

My question is shoulder should be there?

I can make a top hat but I am concerned my assembly is modified and it may not work.

Note:  I know the engine color is wrong, it is on my list of things to do.

Thank you for your help.

Joe

[Roger Zimmermann]

As far as I remember, this is correct. The hat will rest on this shoulder.

[Daffer]

After reading this post, I think I also need assistance on the oil filter assembly on my 49.  I don't see a top hat on my filter assembly but I do see a shoulder on the center tube.  I have included pictures showing the empty canister and that shoulder on the tub. 

My question is shoulder should be there?

I can make a top hat but I am concerned my assembly is modified and it may not work.

Note:  I know the engine color is wrong, it is on my list of things to do.

Thank you for your help.

Joe

yea mine looks exactly like yours with that "shoulder" on the bottom. I was hoping you were gonna say if you have this you dont need the top hat, oh well, please let me know how making a top hat for the filter goes id love to see it

[J. Gomez]

@Joshua, @Joe,

If we take that the oil filter canister for 1949-1953 has a part # 5572952 OF-82 type versus the 1954-1956 part # 5573332 OF-92 type the differences between could be the spacer/top hat was used on the OF-92 style "only" since the canister is taller versus the OF-82.

Although the oil filter is the same on these models, the canister is not thus the OF-82 has the shoulder to seat the filter at the bottom.

Not sure the logic on changing the size of the oil filter canister for the later models and adding that spacer/top-hat  possible was to keep the gunk at the bottom below the oil filter and not touching or at the same level as the oil filter. 

Any one has a time machine to go back and investigate.     

[Daffer]

@Joshua, @Joe,

If we take that the oil filter canister for 1949-1953 has a part # 5572952 OF-82 type versus the 1954-1956 part # 5573332 OF-92 type the differences between could be the spacer/top hat was used on the OF-92 style "only" since the canister is taller versus the OF-82.

Although the oil filter is the same on these models, the canister is not thus the OF-82 has the shoulder to seat the filter at the bottom...

So what I'm understanding from this is me and @Joe Jensen have a model of filter that doesn't need that "top hat"? Would I be correct in that. And my car is a 1950

[J. Gomez]

So what I'm understanding from this is me and @Joe Jensen have a model of filter that doesn't need that "top hat"? Would I be correct in that. And my car is a 1950

Joshua,

It would be extremely hard to accurately provide an answer in your case. Assuming you have the correct oil filter canister installed (same as Joe's picture) you see from his post pictures above the filter seats above the main feed opening, so that would be correct, there is no need for the spacer on this style.

FYI just for reference the later type (in my case 1956 OF-92) the canister is about 5 1/2" from the top of the cover to up to the bend (bowl tip), and about 7 ¼" from the outlet fitting to the top of the top of the cover.

I believe the older style OF-82 has a less pronounce bowl depth versus the later ones.

Hope this helps.

[Daffer]

Joshua,

It would be extremely hard to accurately provide an answer in your case. Assuming you have the correct oil filter canister installed (same as Joe's picture) you see from his post pictures above the filter seats above the main feed opening, so that would be correct, there is no need for the spacer on this style.

FYI just for reference the later type (in my case 1956 OF-92) the canister is about 5 1/2" from the top of the cover to up to the bend (bowl tip), and about 7 ¼" from the outlet fitting to the top of the top of the cover.

I believe the older style OF-82 has a less pronounce bowl depth versus the later ones.

Hope this helps.

I appreciate the help! I do have to same exact filter canister as Joe's. This saves me alot of time trying to find something to raise it up. Thank you for that information

[J. Gomez]

I appreciate the help! I do have to same exact filter canister as Joes. This saves me alot of time trying to find something to raise it up. Thank you for that information

Joshua,

Unfortunately I do not, I have a 1956 so the ones I took was externally, maybe Joe or someone with the early model can provide the measurement. 

Good luck

[Lexi]

I checked my original 1952 Cadillac Master Parts list and as I suspected, there is no exploded diagram there, showing Type OF-82 (1949 - 1953) oil filter assembly. I thought that my going back in time, there might be some additional information on this topic. I also checked my 1956 Master Parts List, and it also failed to provide any diagrams. As Jose reported it did note Type OF-92 (1954-1956) oil filter assemblies, as well as Type OF-93 for 1954 cars without power steering. I then checked my 1957 Master Parts List which notes that OF-92 was replaced with Type OF-229, but again no diagrams or pictures.

Unfortunately, the precise part assemblies in each of these units is unknown, as the Parts source material does not itemize such. Most notably is that the "Top Hat" is not referenced. So when you ordered a replacement "Oil Filter Assembly" from MPL Group number 8.2952, it included whatever was also inside the assembly. So it is difficult to say when the Top Hat spacer, or a variant if used earlier, comprised part of the oil filter assembly.

An answer may be found in one of the old Cadillac Serviceman issues. My Serviceman collection is incomplete from 1954 back, and quite hit and miss back to 1949. Perhaps a member with these publications could take a look to see what may have been mentioned with respect to Oil Filter Assemblies, (think even those early Serviceman issues had an index). Maybe something there, but did not see anything in the 1956 Servicemans. I also don't recall seeing any bulletins on this matter.

I no longer have any spare "Top Hat" spacers, and sadly my experience is that they are usually missing and tough to find. Clay/Lexi

[TJ Hopland]

That top hat spacer seemed to be a fairly common thing in that era.  I remember seeing them on tractors and such, same as here I don't recall them being noted in the diagrams.  Did it have to do with the elements being used?  Did they figure out that they were making a dozen different elements for different applications that were only slightly different heights?  Did the spacers maybe come with the elements or from the element manufacturer?  That could explain why they are not in the engine manuals?

[Lexi]

Did the spacers maybe come with the elements or from the element manufacturer?  That could explain why they are not in the engine manuals?

Interesting point as always TJ. Never saw one with NOS filters though. I doubt they came with the filter cartridge as the internals of the cannister is also comprised of a heavy duty compression spring with a hold down threaded bolt. That is also not listed in the parts manuals. There is a listing for the cartridge, but there is no mention of a spacer being included.  Clay/Lexi

[Daffer]

Joshua,

Unfortunately I do not, I have a 1956 so the ones I took was externally, maybe Joe or someone with the early model can provide the measurement. 

Good luck

Yea possibly,I have a 1950 but by whats been said on here to me it sounds as though 1949-1953 should have a OF-82 canister the one that @Joe Jensen provided photos for. So with that I'm guessing it's safe to say that 1949-53 should have (if not replaced) have a OF-82 canister that wouldn't need that "top hat" right?

[TJ Hopland]

Are issues like this perhaps why they went to spin on filters?  Less variables and parts to loose?  If they thread on and don't leak you are good vs the other way where there are extra parts to get lost or mixed up and maybe lots of different filters that are pretty similar but don't seal up right? 

[Lexi]

Makes sense TJ. If as I suspect that these spacers did not come with the filter, I envision them being misplaced during an oil and filter change; as one is supposed to wipe out the cannister to get any sludge or particulate matter out. That means having to remove the spacer 1st for proper access. It is possible that over the life of the engine, someone will eventually forget to put that spacer back in. Especially later on when these items became more infrequently seen and dealt with. On my '56 which has a spacer, when removed, I noted that the compression spring still is activated as the bolt is torqued down so it still makes contact with the top of filter element. So in that event during a filter change, it might give the impression that the spacer is there, (when in fact it is not), thus further enforcing the oversight, with the tech not re-installing it. With spin ons I am told that the oil flow through rate was also much improved, so all in all, a better system. Clay/Lexi

[J. Gomez]

Folks,

I found this article posted a few years back that may be of help, although it is related to Chevrolet vehicles it may shade some light on others oil filters canisters used in GM vehicles.

https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engines/oil%20filters/index.html

Enjoy it.

@Clay, @TJ,

The issue is you guys have yet to fix your time machine to get back and get to the bottom of this, having way too much fun playing with your Cadillac's.      

Clay,

Yes I was on the same boat there is no details on any of the MPL's I have that would show the inside or even list a part #. So most of the time you have to go outside the box (of Cadillac) to get some details.