Leather preservation and 2 litre oil filters

[Marcus]

Gentlemen,

I am sure we have all learned much from the recent very healthy debate on the subject of leather revitalisation and how best to preserve our seats. A surprising number of members responded to the original thread, which is uplifting.

However, I placed a recent plea for recommendations on oil filter elements which suit the original Vokes canister type and embody the correct oil flow path of 'centre to outside' and no body was able to reply with their preferred filter no.

Mindful that over 300 Bristol '400's are listed with the club and I assume an even greater number of '401/3's' of which many have identical Vokes plumbing, I am now at a loss to understand why leather preservation is so very much more worthy of kind advice and help than oil filter elements!

Perhaps someone can explain

Marcus

[peterg]

As far as I know there are no replacements for the original Vokes filter for the 401-3, except a few remainders in Australia. I think the 400 uses a different size filter as I have seen 400 filters listed but never the 401-3 (even though many more were built).

I bought an adaptor which fitted inside the housing that reversed the flow and used a Mercedes 180D filter. As Geoff said, you can never be certain of the internal seal. I think they are still available

Since then I have switched to a Flexolite filter converter and am happy with the result (especially as I have a life time supply of Ford Pinto filters). However, the adaptor doesn't look 'authentic' inside the engine compartment.

[Geoff Kingston]

Marcus,
If you look on the Rock Auto site they have a limited number of Fram CH814PL filters available or an alternative 51300 from Wix, this checks out as the correct alternative in the cross reference section of an 1983 Fram Master Catalog I have.
From the same source other alternatives listed are Bosch 1-457-429-101, Mopar 75061404, Motocraft USA FL125, Purolator CE176 , TJ FG2471, AC AC32A, Leyland 8G 683, Mercedes Benz 603.184.00.25, Multipart 162429, Technocar OP804 and good old Unipart GFE102.
Some of these names didn't mean anything to me and not all may be still trading but they might help.
Geoff.

[Marcus]

Thankyou for your reply Geoff and the painstaking listing of similar filters but in my lengthy dealings with probably the UK's largest supplier of oil filters, there has been much consolidation of manufacturers over the years that just about all of the filters you have listed have reduced to three or four brands but all of them only offer 'outside to centre' oil pathways, which is not correct for Bristols.
I have been using the 'Fram 814pl' ( now made by Fleetline ) and although it is of the correct dimensions, as is the Wix version but I was unaware that the flow path was wrong. I suspect the adaptor plate as mentioned in another post is the way to go.

Thank you for your help

M

[Marcus]

Thank you Peter for you reply and I suspect the adaptor plate to 'correct' the oil flow is the way to go which I will follow up and post the results of my search.


Failing that then a spin off type as you suggest will be the 'final solution' but I had wanted to retain the originality of my '400's engine bay but needs must!

Thanks again

M

[Geoff Kingston]

Marcus,
It is interesting what you say regarding the flow through the filters, in my stock of unused parts there is somewhere a conversion I had from Bristol Cars many years ago to fit a later filter within the existing housing and another to replace the whole unit to take the spin off type.
I think when we do the 401 up next year I will follow Peters advice and put a Flexolite conversion on the engine as this seems to a safe option and the filters should be easy to get.
Geoff.

[Geoff Dowdle]

Marcus ,
after following the earlier posts you mentioned you want to retain the originality of the Vokes filter for your 400.
But the Vokes filter is not original on 400 engines , these were fitted to 401 - 406 engines .
The original 400 filter assembly is a Tecalemit FA2002 and uses a FG2303 element . In Australia there are alternative elements that can be used and most likely they would be available in UK .

I have a spare unit if you require one .

Geoff

[Marcus]

Copied your last Geoff and Geoff ! - thank you both and I have discussed the matter at some length with a very large - largest (?) filter supply specialist here in the UK and to his certain knowledge there are no longer any filters with the oil path that Bristol intended. One of the reasons is the rationalising of the filters on offer and although members have listed the original filter spec. nos. in fact one has a choice of about three different manufacturers still listing similar sized elements but ALL with the wrong flow path.

I was aware that the Vokes filter assembly was not fitted to the 400 but only to the later cars but this later mod. still looks 'Bristol - like' and contemporary in the way that a modern spin-on can never replicate. I do not wish to come across as being neurotic about originality but whilst filters and adapters are still available - as they are, having now sourced an adapter and an 8 year supply of the correct filters all guaranteed to be made by a specialist in the UK- I would wish to retain the albeit 'nearly original look' in the engine bay. Had I not secured this solution, I would of course have gone to a 'spin on' option. Tant pis!

A quick look at the 'AC Owners Club Forum' has been very informative and I am cheered at the lengths owners with 'Bristol/AC's' are prepared to go to maintain originality in their engine bays whilst still achieving first class oil filtration.

I accept that there may be gains with a modern 'spin off' in terms of better filtration but I am mindful that the 'Bristol' oil path was cleverly thought out because of the much smaller filtered area -centre to outside - and as I change the oil and filter on a very regular schedule based on mileage and time, I am confident that I am not jeopardising the longevity of the engine. There have been some serious internal failures of spin-off filters as so many now originate from parts of the world where labour is cheaper and cost cutting - quality(?) is prevalent.

In the same vein I have eschewed an alternator, elec. ignition, neg. earth, disc brakes, cast alloy wide section wheels and tyres and a few other modern but clearly visible 'goodies'.

Thanks to all

M