Extra part found during 59 Caddy oil Change?????? Not so sure!!

[domer]

Hello everyone,
So I changed the oil in my caddy a few days ago.  Once I pulled out the filter out the canister, I began to wipe down the inside of the canister and noticed some type of spacer or something of that sort sitting  at the bottom of the canister.  I was hoping someone out there could tell me if this was just something accidentally left over by the previous owner or it is something I need to leave in there with every filter change.  I definitely noticed that the filter sits up a bit higher with the piece underneath the filter
The old filter was an A/C P115. The filter I purchased was a Wix filter.  I compared the height of the two and they are exaclty the same. I will include a few pics below.
While we are on the subject of filters, can anyone tell me if the A/C filter I pulled out of the canister is still available for purchase?

[domer]

2 more pics. The first pic is with the spacer installed and the second pic is showing how the canister sits without the spacer.

[domer]

last 2 pics

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The "Spacer" is there to seal the bottom of the Oil Filter, so that all the oil goes through the Filter, and not simply leak out past the hole.

Plus, it creates a spring-loading pressure to ensure a seal at both ends.   Leave it out, and the Filter will sit too low, and you will have very poor filtering of the oil as it will find the easiest way to get from point A to B.   You want the oil to be filtered?

Bruce.

[domer]

Thank you very much Bruce! I really appreciate it.
Dominique

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I forgot to mention it, but I am positive it is made out of Spring Steel, and not Mild Steel.

Bruce.

[J. Gomez]

Hello everyone,
So I changed the oil in my caddy a few days ago.  Once I pulled out the filter out the canister, I began to wipe down the inside of the canister and noticed some type of spacer or something of that sort sitting  at the bottom of the canister.  I was hoping someone out there could tell me if this was just something accidentally left over by the previous owner or it is something I need to leave in there with every filter change.  I definitely noticed that the filter sits up a bit higher with the piece underneath the filter
The old filter was an A/C P115. The filter I purchased was a Wix filter.  I compared the height of the two and they are exaclty the same. I will include a few pics below.
While we are on the subject of filters, can anyone tell me if the A/C filter I pulled out of the canister is still available for purchase?

Dominique,

The P115 is no longer manufactured by AC-Delco although they may still available from several Cadillac suppliers, FRAM C4 and WIX 51100 still available at your local auto part stores.

[Steve Passmore]

As I remember this spacer should have a spring underneath to keep it snug up underneath the filter shouldn't it

[Otto Skorzeny]

I had one of those in my '56 and there was no spring.

I'm not sure I agree with Bruce's assessment of its purpose but I have no suggestions of my own.

It raises the filter a small amount but I don't see how that will affect the flow of oil since it doesn't really seal anything up as Bruce suggested.

[Steve Passmore]

Ill pull the filter out of my 59 in the morning and have a look see. Its midnight here at the moment.

[jeff1956]

otto,

my 56 also has this bc i remember removing it to mop up the sludge in the bottom of the filter canister and then putting it back.  it more looked to me to keep the filter out of the sludge that settles down there.  mine had no spring either.

jeff

[J. Gomez]

Since the bottom of the reservoir is concave this piece just provides a base at the bottom for the filter to seat flat, one note the collar should go toward the filter base. There is a spring that goes on the top cover to apply pressure to the filter from the top.

[Steve Passmore]

Ah, I knew there was a spring somewhere.

[domer]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this one.
dominique