Capri Oil Filters

These comments refer to the 1600 Kent engine only. I have discussed this on occasions with other 1600 owners and there are a number of different points of view. I have experienced a few problems in stopping the oil filter from leaking on my green Capri. At present, it is not leaking and I am using a Repco oil filter on it, tightened to the extreme. This car has the 69IM engine block while my white XL 1600 has the 71IM block. I do not have the same problems with the XL. After discussions with other owners, I have learnt that the oil pump on the 69IM has a different type of connection area to the 71IM. There is a small ridge around the circumference on the 69IM which may reduce a good seal being made with the rubber seal on the oil filter. Some owners have ground off the ridge or even replaced the oil pump to solve this problem. At present I have a collection of three spare filters so I have had a good look at this seal area.

 

The three brands are (from the left): Repco ROF-22; Ryco Z62; Motorcraft AFLE227 (I managed to find this on EBay last year). There also was a Valvoline VO32 available but I have not seen one recently.

If the top area is examined carefully there are differences.

 



Firstly, it is obvious that the Ryco has a smaller inner diameter (57mm) than the other two and the seal is thinner (4mm). It also has a higher metal ridge on the inner side of the seal. The Motorcraft has a diameter of (62-63mm) and a seal width of 5 mm. The Repco has a diameter of 62 mm and a 6 mm seal width. I now understand why the Ryco, which is the one that is the easiest to obtain, is possibly the most unsuitable for the 69IM block as the smaller inner diameter is catching on the ridge. I have not had the filter off my car to accurately measure it on the pump but next time I will check it out.
So, the moral of this little story is - just check the oil filter seal measurements before you replace it, if you are having a problem with it leaking.
I would welcome any comments on this matter.