[Odabo]

I only use PF64.

[2SS Capt]

PF64 here as well...

[Rich292]

I would highly recommend AGAINST using an AC Delco PF64 filter. The filter used to be one I was comfortable putting on my car, but I will no longer use them under any circumstances.


I've attached two photos of the AC Delco PF64. That filter number has been around from GM for well over a decade, and the filter has gone through many revisions to its design, with supposedly the same filtering performance. However, one of the changes was to the can/casing of the filter.


Look at the center hole/threaded portion that spins onto your engine. In one of these filters (the older style that changed sometime in 2021-2022) the center hole looks like a little spout. In the other (an earlier model), the center hole has a more rounded configuration.


I've bought both versions of this filter. The older style with the rounded center hole are always smooth, and I never find flashing or metal shavings coming off them. That is definitely NOT the case for the new style. That center spout seems to be very roughly made. If you look very closely, the edge of the spout often has little cracks and rough edges. I've also found the way they are forming the threads can leave flashing or metal shavings. Those metal shavings can easily come off and fall into the center of the filter, where they are past the filter media and can go through the engine. All you need is for one of those little shavings to get pumped into your mains and you'll have a spun bearing.


While I have no real evidence to back it up, this could be one of the reasons we see more failures in LT1 engines from 2021-22 onward. Those engines are still in warranty and likely being serviced at dealers or by people who want to use the OEM filter to be sure about warranty coverage. I can say anecdotally that everyone I've talked to on the forums who lost an engine was using a PF64 at the time of failure.


This was a problem for GM in the past. On the first LT1 engines on the C7 Corvettes in 2014, they had several public engine failures. They traced the problem back to metal flashing in the PF64 oil filters. Car and Driver's long term car suffered exactly this failure from a shard from a filter thread. (https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-test-wrap-up/) Search the word filter and it'll take you directly to the explanation.


After that, the PF64 was redesigned with the more rounded center. But then they reverted to the spout style again, and the threads are pretty nasty on all the new ones I've inspected.


Note, this isn't a problem on just AC Delco. I've seen other brands that use that same style (likely made in the same plant or by the same supplier; there are only a few filter manufacturers out there). I won't use any filter from any brand with that type of center hole thread arrangement. I almost put a filter with that same center spout design on my brother's GT-R and it felt gritty going on. I pulled the filter off and a piece of metal from the threads fell out.


As far as alternatives, there are a lot of good ones on the market. You just need to make sure they have the right bypass pressure (roughly 22 psi instead of the 15psi of the old LS series engines). You should always double check, but my research shows the following are good fitments:


Purolator Boss PBL11403
Purolator Pure 1 PL11403
Mobil 1 M114a
Wix WL10290XP
Wix WL10290
KN HP-1020
Fram XG12060
Fram FE12060

[arpad_m]

I think I mentioned this in another thread, but I cannot fathom why a $5-10 part has to be revised so many times, often for the worse. Realistically, who cares if the oil filter costs $5, $6 or $15?

We're talking $10-15K engines here that this little cylinder is protecting from contamination and metal particles, nobody in their right mind would want to save a buck (literally) and risk their engine.

But, not so with GM, they have to **** with this all the time. IMO the most sturdy variant of this ACDelco filter was the 12640445, I used that while it was available, and a couple years ago I switched exclusively to Amsoil's filter, it's high quality and never let my engine down.

[ariZona28]

Pay attention to country of origin. I noticed the PF454 for my 8.1 was previously made in USA and is now made in Mexico. The Mobil One M1-113A for my Z is now made in S. Korea. While I'm pretty sure moving production to another country results in lower labor costs and quality could be compromised the price remains the same. Imagine that.

[DeuceCam]

Rich 292,

The threads (and taper leading to the threads) does look light crap in the top pic above. I wouldn't be comfortable putting that filter on my car if I noticed it before hand. I'll be sure to look for that when buying oil filters moving forward.

Also, from past experience, it's unusual to have a flat metal surface where the inlet/outlet holes are on the filter. Granted, I've mostly only purchased OEM Toyota, Honda, and Subaru filters in the past