1938 Series 60 Oil Filter

[rvc_51]

Greetings.  I own a 1938 Series 60.  My 1937/38 Service Manual shows an 'Engine Oiling System' diagram (page 88) that includes an oil filter.  Was an oil filter available for my Series 60 in 1938?  Would anyone have any information regarding the correct filter assembly?  Does anyone know of one available/for sale?  Thanks.

[Steve Passmore]

I 37 there was something the factory offered and there were many different ones fitted by dealers as after market, I have several of these but they were never very good. They were only slight bypass filters and only cleaned a very small amount of the oil and even Cadillac stopped fitting them in 38 unless it was asked for. I remove them every time and change the oil regularly.

[rvc_51]

Thanks for the reply Steve.   Would the 1937 factory oil filter assembly be the same assembly used in 1938?  Thanks.

[Tom Beaver]

As Steve indicated, the factory only offered oil filters in 1937.  The factory filter was a steel disposable canister which mounted in a bracket attached to two bolts on the front cover, under the fuel pump.  I don't believe that replacement filter canisters have been made for years.  I have a used one, which I copied to make a shell that accepts a modern spin-on filter and will fit in the original mounting bracket.  I use it on my 38 LaSalle.  But as Steve said they are only a bypass filter and treat only the oil supply to the hydraulic lifters.

Tom Beaver

[Warren Rauch #4286]

 The Cadillac -La Salle Service man from Oct 1,1937,introduction of 1938 models. Page 38 on v-8 engines. " A flexible oil level indicator plug is now used and the use of oil filters has been discontinued on all engines" ( whats this plug?)
  Then from 1938 page 23,the Factory  states that they do not object to bypass filters that are installed their way. But as stated by others they make it useless. Replace a plug in the oil header with a fitting that has been filled with lead and a 1/16" hole drilled in it for your supply oil . The return line will require drilling a hole in either oil filler tube  or pan, please remove from car for this  operation. In a 1941 update the return line could be to a hollow bolt in timing cover.
   The factory seemed to be worried that the lifters could deprived of oil if too much went to a filter.
Warren