Wix 51268 Oil Filter

For those who have made the switch to the WIX 51268 oil filter, using TMeyer's nipple adapter … one difference I read about this filter is the lack of an anti drainback valve. Does this create a trade-off between higher oil pressure while running vs. oil at startup? Or, is this not a concern with the cleveland engine?

I bought this setup and, unless I'm doing something wrong, it does not work! The huge expensive Allen wrench, which I can't use for anything else, enters from the wrong side of the adapter, and the filter starts over the threads of the adapter then locks up and the filter will not advance! Now I have 3 separate things I need to return. Any advice from the forum?

That's so odd. I did mine with the same parts including the tool and it was a super easy 5 minute job. So much so that I hardly remember doing it. The adapter has to be the problem. It's certainly not going to be the filter or the tool. Only thing I can assume is that they machined the hex into the wrong end, which would be really odd, but probably not impossbile. If mine was still laying around loose, I'd compare, but it's on the car. Maybe someone has a loose one laying around they can post a photo of.

Assuming you bought that from TMeyer it looks like they screwed up on that batch.
Like you said it should be broached for the Allen key on the big end.

I replied to Kevin in my post on the FL1A filter.
Looks metric to me, if so, a wrong parts for sure.

Bentworker said:

Assuming you bought that from TMeyer it looks like they screwed up on that batch.
Like you said it should be broached for the Allen key on the big end.
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I had the same issue. I emailed Tim to ask if this was a design change because it seems the Allen should be used from the filter side, not from the block side. He responded it has always been that way to benefit flow? Doesn’t look that way in the website pics.

cheezsnake said:

I had the same issue. I emailed Tim to ask if this was a design change because it seems the Allen should be used from the filter side, not from the block side. He responded it has always been that way to benefit flow? Doesn’t look that way in the website pics.

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Yikes! I get he doesn't want to eat a production run of them, but come on now. Common sense aside, just look at the website photos.

I guess I'll just have to live with my easy to install reduced flow model. LOL

Big Red Mach 1 said:

Yikes! I get he doesn't want to eat a production run of them, but come on now. Common sense aside, just look at the photos.

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Agreed. He sent out a bad run of parts.

Bentworker said:

Agreed. He sent out a bad run of parts.

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WTF, that should NEVER happen. Where's the QC department?
Another good reason to stay with what I know.

Bentworker said:

Assuming you bought that from TMeyer it looks like they screwed up on that batch.
Like you said it should be broached for the Allen key on the big end.
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Thanks Bentworker! Now I can clearly see that they broached the wrong end. Also, I watched this video and it explains a lot! The funny thing is that the adapter in the video looks like all the threads are the same size.

I'm so pissed off! He better not try to tell me what he sent me is what is pictured in his advertisement. I can clearly see the difference! And the video shows a way to install the adapter without buying a 1/2 inch Allen wrench for $23.00 I won't use for anything else. All you have to do is stick a nut that size in the hole and tighten it!

kevken1959 said:

I'm so pissed off! He better not try to tell me what he sent me is what is pictured in his advertisement. I can clearly see the difference! And the video shows a way to install the adapter without buying a 1/2 inch Allen wrench for $23.00 I won't use for anything else. All you have to do is stick a nut that size in the hole and tighten it!

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I’d take pics of it from all angles and send them off to Tim. I’d be surprised if he does not make it right.

Let us know if you get better results with Tim. I sent pics with my email too. Hard to imagine he looked at the pics and still thought the adapter was fine.

kevken1959 said:

I bought this setup and, unless I'm doing something wrong, it does not work! The huge expensive Allen wrench, which I can't use for anything else, enters from the wrong side of the adapter, and the filter starts over the threads of the adapter then locks up and the filter will not advance! Now I have 3 separate things I need to return. Any advice from the forum? View attachment 74105View attachment 74106View attachment 74108

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I’ve been using WIX 51515 filter with no issues, easy on, easy off.

I have had the adapter for 2-3 years. It was very easy to install. I didn't purchase a dedicated Allen wrench since this doesn't need to be too tight. I think I found a socket that had an hex at the top that fit there. I agree with the previous posts where it appears that the hex hole was made on the wrong end. As suggested, take pictures so he can see what's going on. If he realizes it was a mistake he will make it right. You may be the first one to figure it out since he just completed a new batch. If that doesn't work, post a question in the Cleveland Facebook page where he is very active and others may comment.

3:37-4:17 In that video says it all.

Big Red Mach 1 said:

3:37-4:17 In that video says it all.

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Snapshot from the video.

Tim clarified today … he said they made that design change a year ago, and he didn’t get the website pics updated. That being the case, the allen would need to be long enough come through the filter side of the adapter if it’s used to install in the block.

cheezsnake said:

Tim clarified today … he said they made that design change a year ago, and he didn’t get the website pics updated. That being the case, the allen would need to be long enough come through the filter side of the adapter if it’s used to install in the block.

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Interesting. I wonder why make it like that. Got to find something that will fit in there. Since it is not that tight, you could use a square rod or something like a nipple extractor to tighten it into place.

@kevken1959

could you post some more pics of it? Is there a shoulder inside that prevents using a longer Allen key to drive it from the outside?

If your 3/4” driver is too short to reach through it you could run to your local hardware store and grab a coupler nut for allthread that is long enough to use as a driver. The flats on a 1/2” nut are 3/4”. Coupling nuts are 1 3/4” long and should work fine as a driver.