Alternate Oil Filter for 1996 PA

[Garfield2]

When I recently changed oil I put on an oil filter other than what was listed by the referrence. When you look up an oil filter for a 1996 Buick Park Avenue it lists the Fram PH3387A or K&N HP-1001. This is a rather short filter and I always thought these are better for Motorcycles than car engines. Personal belief, not fact...jus opinion.

So what did I use? I used a Super Tech 3980 (same as a Fram PH3980, AC PF52, Motocraft FL402, or K&N HP-2001. This filter is a bit longer than the PH3387A filter but the threads are the same and so is the gasket size, placement/position. Except for lenght (this one a bit longer) they look to be identical. I bought the cheaper Wal-Mart SuperTech 3980 as I wanted to see if this would work.. or not. Didn't want to pitch a really expensive filter on a trial basis. Turns out it works great! Oil pressure is right there at 40-45 lbs and no leaks. Went on easy and not a bit sloppy (threads are correct). The only difference I can see is it is a bit longer. Now viewing straight on, it is barely preceptable under the car. Perhaps the engineers were more concerned with safety (protection) of the filter over capacity of the filter. I will admit that there is more exposure, but not by much. I've attached a picture, such as it is, that shows that it can be seen from looking under the front of the car. Most of the car's oil pan can also been seen at nearly the same level if not lower to the pavement than the filter. The picture shows the filter to the right of the white arrow, and the red "paint" arrow shows the direction the filter is pointed, so it is not as confusing. If I were better in Photoshop it might look better. I also dodge the filter a bit to "brighten" it up so that it can be seen. That bright line, going of at about a 11:00 angle is the left side of the filter with the sun reflecting off of it.

Also you will notice (upper tip of red arrow) that there is a round rubber mount there that produdes LOWER than does the filter to the pavement.

[Alibi]

As long as you added more oil to compensate for the extra length of the filter (and therefore extra capacity) then I don't see any issues as long as nothing hits the filter. Do me a favor though, and Dont. Buy. Fram. You current generic wal-mart one is probably better than a Fram...

I don't really see much of a performance difference, other than the extra bit of filter element. Oh well...Its always nice that someone is playing with their car

[Garfield2]

I concur with the Fram as a "don't buy". Even when you feel the heft of the generic Wal-Mart brand against the Fram you can feel a difference in just how much they weigh. I saw someplace on the web that had filter elements pretty much taken appart and showed specifics on how many square inches of filter there is in each one. Suffice to say I think it was down on the low end somewhere.

Yes, I had to add a touch more oil, about 1/4 quart if I remember to bring it to full.

I kind of like the K&N filters, even though pricey, that have the nut on the end. However, I prefer NOT to have a nut on the end of something like this if it is going to 'protrude' just a peek. Just an extra bit to get snagged on something. It's a nice idea, don't get me wrong. Nothing like having the ability to put a socket wrench on the filter. It's shouldn't be on there that tight in my opinion anyway. Besides, This other Wal-Mart brand 3387A I had on there was on pretty tight and my oil filter wrench kept slipping. Please pass the LARGE chanel lock pliers with the 12 in handle!! They grabed that little bad boy and it was SOON loose.

Amsoil makes an excellent filter and perhaps come pay day I'll put it on there. I'm going to change over to Amsoil anyway, so might as well use their filter.

[Alibi]

I'm planning on chaning over to Mobil 1 Synthetic next week after I get my paycheck. I'll probably get a motorcraft filter....I usually just get the wal-mart cheapy so I'll just have to take a look.

Another good trick I've learned to get an old oil filter off fast is to take a large screwdriver and hammer the tip into the filter (sideways) and use the screwdriver for leverage to spin the filter off. It is a tad bit messier, but not by much...And I get to take my anger out on something I'm throwing out anyway