AC Delco Oil filter

Not sure if this is already well known or not, but I got myself in a bind and needed an oil filter after west marine closed. I typically use the Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 on a 4.3L w/ a remote oil filter. Anyway I had the remote filter in hand and took it to Advanced auto and found that the AC DELCO PF454 was an exact fit. They're also at least 1/2 price, though oil filters are cheap enough not sure it matters.

Just putting this out there in case anyone finds themselves needing a late night oil filter.

I've been using the ac delco filters for years. Found a study that said they gave high priced performance at a mid level price.

Ferris said:

Not sure if this is already well known or not, but I got myself in a bind and needed an oil filter after west marine closed. I typically use the Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 on a 4.3L w/ a remote oil filter. Anyway I had the remote filter in hand and took it to Advanced auto and found that the AC DELCO PF454 was an exact fit. They're also at least 1/2 price, though oil filters are cheap enough not sure it matters.

Just putting this out there in case anyone finds themselves needing a late night oil filter.

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I always spec AC DELCO on my GM vehicles but for the price under $5 difference I use the Quicksilver/Mercury on the boat (Walmart shows the 866340Q03 at 6.94 - which reminds me I should pickup some to have available for winterization). I heard someplace that the have a seal or something to prevent spillage when the inverted remote is removed. Not sure if that is true or not.

-Kevin

I think the PF 454 has the valve to prevent drain back. It is a replacement for the PF 25 which does not have the valve.
I use AC Delco filters in my Corvette and GTO for original appearance. Although probably not premium, good enough for GM to install on their cars, then good enough for me. Never had a problem with them, but each car only does about 1000 miles a year and I change the oil and filters in them twice a year.
I use AC Delco filters on the lease cars that my wife and I drive daily too. I used to use Fram in them because they’re cheap and available at Walmart where I buy my oil, but then I learned how crappy the Fram filters are so I switched. I cut a Fram open myself to verify that they’re junk. Even though the cars are always 3 year leases and I like to spend the minimum amount on them, I can’t see consciously using something really crappy to save a buck or two.
The 3.0 Mercruiser in the little boat and my kids cars get WIX filters because I own them. Tough to beat WIX filter quality.
I’ve never cut a Mercruiser filter open to see how good it is inside, but since they install them in their motors I would assume they’re pretty good. I’d also assume that Mercruiser has them made to their specs by another company and that they’re specs are probably pretty good.

But to make the case for WIX filters and why I use them in stuff I own, here is an interesting YouTube video about oil filters:

I didn't look at that video, but I have cut quite a few filters open. Yes, there's definitely a difference and Wix, NAPA Gold, etc are very nice. Can't remember if I cut an AC open, so no comment one way or the other there. I have also cut Merc filters open and they are also very robust and well made on the inside.

Fram... well... that's a whole different story. I actually came across TWO of them where the pleats had separated! In other words, unfiltered oil was passing right through the filter. Thin, cardboard end caps and other, quite obviously, cheap materials on the inside... There's a reason for that saying... Friends don't let friends use Fram!

For me, I have easy access to Merc stuff and the price difference is not enough to warrant spending any extra of my time to get something else. But those others would be a very fine choice.

Well my Euro trash cars all take Mann-Filter or OEM. Though in my Youf, I had good sucess with AC Delco , too I figured if it's good enough for GM it's good enough for Merc.

Agreed on FRAM, total trash and I always thought K & N was hype.

Anyway it was more of a in a pinch this will fit post, I'll run it to the end of season and then probably go back to Mercruiser, not a big fan of the Sierra stuff as time goes on. Though I'm sure the filters are fine.

Mann makes excellent filters - I use them on a couple cars and wouldn't hesitate to use them on a boat if they made one for that application. I agree with your thoughts on K&N. I'm sure the Delco will be just fine - it's always good to know there are options - especially "in a pinch", like you said.

Ferris said:

Well my Euro trash cars all take Mann-Filter or OEM. Though in my Youf, I had good sucess with AC Delco , too I figured if it's good enough for GM it's good enough for Merc.

Agreed on FRAM, total trash and I always thought K & N was hype.

Anyway it was more of a in a pinch this will fit post, I'll run it to the end of season and then probably go back to Mercruiser, not a big fan of the Sierra stuff as time goes on. Though I'm sure the filters are fine.

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Like Mercruiser, there is a good chance that AC Delco has their filters made for them to their specs by someone else. They warranty their motors and GM dealers use AC Delco filters when they do oil changes so I’m pretty sure their specs are pretty good. At least as good as Mercruiser specs.
I use Cat filters in my current boat because while I doubt that Cat makes them, I’m sure they have them made to their specs for installation on new motors they warranty.

My 4.3 has a block mounted filter, I use either AC-Delco or NAPA - lately AC Delco because Walmart has them right next to the Quicksilver oil. They also have the Quicksilver filters, but I prefer the long filter vs the Quicksilver short one. Always use NAPA in mine and my wife's Lexus and our daughter's Volvo get's a Mann.

JVM225 said:

Like Mercruiser, there is a good chance that AC Delco has their filters made for them to their specs by someone else. They warranty their motors and GM dealers use AC Delco filters when they do oil changes so I’m pretty sure their specs are pretty good. At least as good as Mercruiser specs.
I use Cat filters in my current boat because while I doubt that Cat makes them, I’m sure they have them made to their specs for installation on new motors they warranty.

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+1 JVM

When I looked wix makes the napa filters

Golfman25 said:

When I looked wix makes the napa filters

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Check out filter1.com for WIX filters.

My oil pressure tends to run a little higher when using an AC Delco.