Well, the title kinda gives it away... I was looking for a replacement filter or my 85 Duke, and I had read somewhere that someone had found the filter for a V8 chevy was larger - therefore a little more oil for the anemic Duke, right?
Well, I forgot which one it was, so I looked up the 'correct' filter for my car, then went through each of the filters on the shelf to compare. The 84 Fiero was listed to use a physically larger filter, but the 85-87 4 cylinders had a smaller can... same thread size for the spin on part and same diameter. I wound up getting a PH3600 and using it on the daughters 87 but really the 3387a, 3600 and 2870a are the same outside dimensions and the only differences seem to be a relief valve inside.
Is there any damage I risk here? So far there's been no difference on the oil pressure gauge. Seems like an easy way to get a little more oil in the motor. Why did only the first year duke get the larger filter?

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John DuRette
Custom 85 SE/87 Coupe
"Kinda makes you nostalgic for a Members Only jacket"

Judging from the part numbers, those are Fram filters... there's a long, long thread around here somewhere that more or less proves that Fram filters are junk. (I used them for years - but not anymore.)

Go for AC Delco oil filters and Valvoline oil... it turned out to be the best combination, according to the studies that were posted in the thread.

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
*Desktop Photo Here*

Good point about the Frams. I actually bought a PureOne filter, but don't have the part number handy. Guess I could reverse-reference the filters to see which car they go to. I'm mostly worried that there could be some internal difference that could be bad for the motor if I swap filters. I can't see there being a problem.

The AC Delco filter is bigger than the Fram 3387A, so go with it. The part number you need is PF-52 if I remember correctly. You can get the delco filters at autozone or places like tractor supply

Dave

quote Originally posted by ditch: The AC Delco filter is bigger than the Fram 3387A, so go with it. The part number you need is PF-52 if I remember correctly. You can get the delco filters at autozone or places like tractor supply Dave

I seem to remember the PF52 number. I had bought a PureOne filter, think it was like $7-8. The 'new' high-end Frams are like $10. Phooey. I seem to recall that the AC Delcos are every bit as good as the more expensive and 'premium' types, and typically $6-7.

Screw a Fram " no pun intended". I put a Fram on a 2.2 mini van once. Right out of the box it made my oil pressure gage go wacky. Glad I had a gage & not a light. It would never hold a steady position. I think after 60 miles it did,nt get any better so I stopped at a truck stop and bought a no-name filter and put it on right on the spot. End of problem. Thats all the proof I needed.

And yes I added a quart of oil after the gage held its usuall position.

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