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MG MGA - spin on oil filter conversion

I am looking at changing my filter type from the paper to the spin on, there doesn't seem to be a lot of space, any advice please, vin
Vin Rafter

I have used the Moss unit - works fine but the centre bolt look a bit skinny.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Vin

I used the Flexolite version http://www.flexolite.co.uk/

Looks similar to all the others. Never caused me any problems from the operational aspects, but you are correct about the space down there. Very little room to get a canister removal tool in place and hold it there while you tighten the grip. I always end up with cut hands, an aching back and an armful of oil whenever I take the old canister off.

During the conversion, when stripping out the old filter parts make sure you get the old sealing ring out of its channel. It hardens over time and gives the appearance (and feel) of being part of the casting. I proceeded to put the new sealing ring over the old. I had a major leak before I realised what I had done.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Vin, you have to watch the centre bolt with the Moss kit. On some filters they will bottom out when screwed on and leak. This can be fixed by grinding off the face of the centre hex area by about 1/16"
Art Pearse

Vin,
If I recall, there are two types - one where the filter hangs down, and one (that I have on two cars) where the filter screws on from above. This latter makes removing and refitting the oil filter an easy matter as you do not have to jack up the car.
Make sure you remove the old rubber seal in the groove in the block - it is hard to see and hard to feel.
Also note that the threads on the bolt on the 1500 engine for the centre bolt is a coarse thread, and on an 1800 engine it is a fine thread.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Hi Vin,
I fitted the MOC289 adapter. I think that is the Moss one but I got it from Bob West and it fitted very easily.
For bed time reading take a look at http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/graphics/uk/instructions/MG-spin-on-oil-filter-adapter-instructions-MOC289.pdf
I had read a lot about having to adapt the adaptor to prevent the filter bottoming out and so not sealing properly as referred to above by Art, but as long as you buy the right filter cannister (not proud at the screw end) I found that unnecessary. I bought a type GFE166 filter (again from Bob West).
Graham
g Victors

Hi All
Why are you all considering the Moss set up when the standard MGB set up is a straight fit - no issues. Go with the inverted canister fitting from the 18GH - 18v engines pt no 12H3273 (post 70 cars) and good quality filter GFE121, use new mounting bolt and copper washer not forgetting the new rubber O ring seal, housing to block. The housing adaptor can usually be found for sale secondhand on Ebay for £15 -£20. If not fitting an oil cooler then it would be wise to fit the MGB feed pipe as well although the MGA fitting could fit (I always had a cooler fitted)so a check here would be prudent

Cheers
Mark
Mark Dollimore

Hi again - missed the edit time, I need to revise the final sentence from my above comment. The MGB set up assumes a cooler is fitted as it pushes the canister filter further away from the block thus the feed pipe would need modifying as stated I always used a cooler with no problems.
Mark
Mark Dollimore

Hi Vin,
sorry, I was away when this thread came up and I missed it.
My car has the inverted filter and it works great.

The inverted filter is a bit crowded by the plug leads (and also on my car, the oil cooler) but it is still really easy to remove and fit a new one.

When you remove the filter you get a slug of oil that runs down from inside, I usually stuff a rag around it to catch the run off.

Overall though, it is a great mod and I can change the filter in about 5 minutes.

You have to be really careful to buy the correct filter though when you need a replacement. I bought a box of filters from a friend who owns a local Motorist Discount Shop at a great price. But when I fitted it and started the engine I found that there was no oil pressure and most of the expensive oil was on the floor.

The filters were just too domed around the screw hole and this stopped the rubber sealing ring from compressing enough.
So the filters weren't such a bargain after all.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

To avoid most of the oil run-down, punch two small holes in the top end of the filter, one in the center and one near the outer edge. This allows air into the filter so oil can drain back into the engine. Then drain the oil from the sump. By that time oil will have drained out of the filter so you can unscrew the filter with minimum spillage. One shop rag should easily catch the little that does come out. Done right, the inverted spin-on unit is the cleanest filter change available for the MG.
Barney Gaylord

I have a inverted MGB filter on my MGA. It replaced the MOSS spin on converter that broke off while driving and quickly deposited the most of the oil on the roadway and car underside. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage. I would not use a spin on conversion as the center bolt is a weak link in the design.
Bill Haglan

Here's a picture of the sheared bolt.

Bill Haglan

I have the Moss conversion on my 1500 and have had absolutely no problems. The filter is a common PH3600 and hangs downward. At first I used to have a hard time getting a filter wrench on it from under the car due to space issues, then one day I tried it from the top and discovered that it is very easy to get at to loosen it. Then I spin it off from under the car. One thing about the hanging type, you don't have to worry about the check valve not working properly and allowing the oil to empty out of the filter overnight, causing a delay in oil pressure on startup while the filter is filled again. This is a concern on the inverted type, I have a '73 MGB with the standard inverted filter setup, and have discovered that not all brands of filters have equally capable check valves. I have replaced a few over the years that had poorly functioning check valves.

Ralph
L Poupard

I am sorry for all you owners that have changed to the ease of screw on filters...you are missing out on the shear unrestrained joy of getting the original type changed and fitted back in place !!!!
Cheers Rex
Rex Thompson

You are right Rex, never thought of it quite like that before.

All those things I am missing out on when I change my spin-on oil filter.

Lying on my back on a cold garage floor under my jacked up MGA having my eyes filled with bits of dirt and oil drips.

Trying to work one handed at full stretch as there isnt really enough space for using both hands.

Trying to get the fixing bolt to line up through the hole in the bottom of the canister with the threaded hole in the main housing. Some choice expletives help at this point.

Bolting it up tight and finding that it is leaking oil.

And best of all, when you unbolt the canister, experiencing that wonderful feeling when a pint of warm dirty oil runs down inside your sleeve!

Maybe I will convert it back to original. NOT!

Colyn :-)
Colyn Firth

Colyn...You are absolutely right but I am not going to let some faceless socalled automotive designer get the better of me...[Don't get me started on originality!!] ...Rex
Rex Thompson

This thread was discussed between 06/06/2013 and 22/06/2013

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