Posted By: RustyCarHunter
318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/02/09 09:32 PM
I'm trying to find an oil filter for my 1964 Dodge Polora 318 wide block. I've been to three different auto parts stores and they all don't seem to understand that there is a big difference between the early 318 wide A block and a LA 318 engine. According to their computers the 318 engine is completely the same. They had me buy an STP s8a filter, it screws in place but needs to be much wider to seal around the side of the block.
The car that I am putting together didn't have an old filter that I could match it up to...
Can anyone help me?
Posted By: Polarabill
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/02/09 10:18 PM
Maybe you could measure the O.D of the oil filter bracket(where its machined for the filter seal) and the threaded part and go to the parts store armed with that info. Then start measuring filters until you find what you need.
Posted By: Andrewh
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/02/09 10:28 PM
should be the same.
I have had 2 poly 318's and used the same SB filter I used for any other, LA or otherwise, and they work fine.
Both a couple years newer, 65 and 66, but should be the same filter.
Till I knew better, I used the PH8 fram. But that or the short one , I think is 48, should work fine, or whatever that crosses to in Wix.
Posted By: 440newport
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/02/09 10:57 PM
Does it have the oil filter plate on the block? I thought poly and LA filters were the same.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/02/09 11:11 PM
Quote:
Does it have the oil filter plate on the block? I thought poly and LA filters were the same.
Early poly's used a canister filter. There's a Fram kit to convert to the later spin-on type filter - about $25 - or you can just pull what you need off a later 318 block. Basically, you need an adaptor plate, a gasket, and (I think) the center nut/bolt thingy.
Posted By: RustyCarHunter
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/02/09 11:24 PM
Perhaps there are different 318 poly blocks. Maybe my 318 poly engine is originally from a truck? The oil filter that the Autozone gave me STP s8a screws into place but needs to be much wider to seal to the engine block. I think I found an adaptor on eBay that may fix my problem. What do you think of this? I would much rather have the filter that came on engine originally. But maybe they don't make the old filters anymore. What do you guys think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/03/09 03:53 AM
Quote:
Perhaps there are different 318 poly blocks. Maybe my 318 poly engine is originally from a truck? The oil filter that the Autozone gave me STP s8a screws into place but needs to be much wider to seal to the engine block. I think I found an adaptor on eBay that may fix my problem. What do you think of this? I would much rather have the filter that came on engine originally. But maybe they don't make the old filters anymore. What do you guys think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT
That's the kit I was talking about. It's a duplicate of the factory parts that let you run a spin-on oil filter on an A or LA engine, rather than the older style that used a thick metal cover and a drop-in cartridge.
There's also a right-angle adapter that's used where there's a frame or exhaust clearance issue with the straight-on adapter.
It's not a question of different blocks; any A or LA with a spin-on oil filter will have one adapter or the other.
Posted By: Jim_Lusk
Re: 318 A block(wide block) oil filter. PLEASE HELP! - 08/03/09 04:16 AM
Perhaps you are missing the plate and only have the threaded piece. The poly 318 block and LA 318 block are nearly identical.
realistically the only major differences between a poly, LA and magnum are the top end....blocks are all essentially the same