MGB Oil Filters List

Cross-reference of modern spin-on oil filters for the MGB.

Written by Skye Nott – 2006-04-02
How-To Library > Engine and Tuning Section

Modern spin-on oil filters for the MGB

Thanks to Peter Cummins for starting this list off. If you know of other oil filters that replace the stock MGB filter or work on the spin-on adaptor please leave a comment with details, at the bottom of the page, or email me.

Last Updated Dec 17, 2007 by Chris Tyler

Filters for hanging spin on adapter:
AC	PF-56
Bosch	72-143
CarQuest	85516
Fram	PH-3600 (PH-3614)
Full	PH-400
K&N	HP-2009
Kralinator	L38
Lee	LF-42
Mann	W719/36
Moss	235-950
Motorcraft	FL-276
Motorcraft	FL400A
NAPA Gold	1516
Purolator	L20064
Purolator	L20195
Sears	45197
STP	SO-400
Unipart	GFE443
Wix	51516

Filters which for inverted spin on adapter:
AC	PF13
AC	PF-20
Amsoil	SDF-42
Amsoil	SDF-96
Baldwin	B163
Bosch	3402 (3422?)
Cooper	Z27A
Crosland	306
Deutsch (Autozone)	D406
Ford	D4ZZ-6731A
Fram	PH16 or PH43
K&N	HP-2004
Mann	W917
Mobil 1	M1-204
Moss	235-960
Motorcraft	FL-300
NAPA Gold	1068
Purolator	L20081
Purolator	PL20195
Purolator PureONE	PL14670
STP	S-0228
Unipart	GFE 121 or GFE 114
Wix	51362 (wrong? 50168?)

Note that these are NOT ordered by rank or preference. If your oil filter stands up instead of hanging, then make sure it has an anti-drainback valve. My personal favorite is the Purolator PureOne L10017 (bypass pressure relief valve 8-11 psi). This will prevent any oil pressure lag at startup, which as we all know is the time when a significant portion of engine wear occurs.

— MGB Oil Filters List —

Written by Skye Nott – Created 2006-04-02 Published 2006-04-02
Contents © Copyrighted and published under the following terms:
Copyright © the author and published by permission or fair use.

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Member Comments on MGB Oil Filters List ↵

Rated 8 out of 10 based on 3 ratings

2005-07-28 15:42:08 # 1

Comment by Rob Edwards

Note that Purolator L10017 (and the PureOne version PL10017) and (P)L20081 (not listed above but a commonly used number) have been discontinued and superceded by (P)L14670. According to the Purolator website, all three numbers have similar dimensions but (P)L14670 has a slightly higher-pressure relief valve (8-16 psi vs. 80-10 psi).

2005-10-28 04:10:14 # 4

Comment by Rob Edwards

Mann W917 is the aftermarket replacement for Volvo factory number 3517857.

2006-05-08 09:32:37 # 136

Comment by Frank Stabler

AC Delco catalog '74 and later - PF53
'70-'73 PF13, '63 - '69 no filter listed

2007-04-13 20:23:50 # 575

Comment by ERIC WOODS

MGB SPIN ON FILTER
WIX 51068 ALSO DOES

2007-05-14 10:33:05 # 594

Comment by Chris Tyler

Skye, I sent you a complete list of the oil filter adapter filters. The list above only works for the (inverted) filters. The list I sent you also contains the (hanging) filters to.

Thought it would be a good idea to post here.

Cheers,

Chris Tyler

2007-05-14 10:33:41 # 595

Comment by Chris Tyler

2007-12-17 18:21:11 # 781

Comment by Skye P. Nott

Updated, thanks Chris!

2007-12-19 06:48:17 # 786

Comment by Chris Tyler

Thanks Skye!!!

2009-07-04 13:48:16 # 1480

Comment by Michael Caputo

Purolator L20195 Works on my inverted '79 B. I run good oil pressures around 75PSI by the dash gauge.

2010-08-26 11:21:43 # 2170

Comment by Richard Johnson

Rating: 8/10

I thought the inverted Bosch filter # was 3422 Per the Bosch web site.

2012-06-28 23:02:50 # 6585

Comment by John F

I have been reading a bit on filters, I see on several sites that all
filters today have a drain back valve??

Some do not have the bypass, but one source said you could tell by
inspection, looking in to the center, if there is a dimple, or
mechanism, it has a by pass, if it is plain metal, does it does not.

Not posted as gospel, of course.

Purolator seems to make a lot of the other brands' filters.

Regards, John

2012-06-29 10:27:58 # 6590

Comment by Michael Caputo

The anti-drain back "valve" is a diaphragm that prevents the oil from flowing back out the circle of holes around the screw mount.
On an inverted filter it holds oil in the filter until you start unscrewing it then you get a pint of oil all at once all over everything.
I understand the concept of the anti-drain back valve and it's theoretical importance but it means a mess at oil change time for the inverted people like me.

I mention again that the PL20195 is a good choice for the inverted screw on filter.

2012-06-29 17:06:02 # 6592

Comment by John F

If it fits my car's adapter, I would be happy to use it. I am
interested in getting a good filter on my car, but have not gone the
route of buying a filter cutter, etc. The filter sits at an angle on
mine, and am not sure how to keep from making a mess of it coming off
the adapter, perhaps a milk jug cut in half?

2013-06-03 09:25:49 # 10569

Comment by ptroot

The Wix 51362 looks wrong. Looking at the specs on the O'Relilly web page, it has
metric threads and is too short to fit on the post. It should be the Wix 50168, which is
the same as the NAPA Gold 1068.

2013-11-14 06:28:08 # 12873

Comment by Rob Edwards

>I mention again that the PL20195 is a good choice for the inverted screw on filter.

In fact, that number is now what Purolator's website lists for MGBs with inverted filters.

I also spied this on Purolator's website, FWIW....
"Copyright © 2013 All Rights Reserved. MANN+HUMMEL Purolator Filters LLC"

2014-05-02 17:15:25 # 16530

Comment by Peter Shaw

For my 1969 B with inverted filter I had been using a Bosch 3402, and switched to the K&N HP-2004 because my local parts store stopped carrying the Bosch. I noticed delayed oil pressure, maybe 5 seconds on a cold startup with the K&N. After a few starts, I bought the Bosch again and replaced the K&N. On cold starts, I had instant oil pressure as in the past. Wrote to K&N and asked their opinion, but no answer.I'll stick with something other than the K&N.

2014-07-11 05:55:34 # 18745

Comment by Don van Riet

I miss the MANN 961/1, a wellknown type. Never heard of the MANN 917 ....

2014-07-18 21:54:28 # 18985

Comment by david thompson

I got the spin on adaptor for my 62 midget. Am I looking in the right place with this list? Thanks for helping.

2014-11-20 17:02:27 # 21779

Comment by Rick H

Thank you for the work on oil filters, here is some more info: I have just spoken to a R&D guy 'Pas' at Ryco in Australia about best oil filter for the inverted mounting. 1980 MGB. His recommendation was the Z38 because it has a STACK TUBE which prevents the filter draining through the outlet (crank). The ANTI DRAIN BACK valve prevents it draining through the inlet (oil pump). There are some filters as fitted to the Subaru that have an ANTI-SYPHON valve, however this requires oil pressure to activate the valve and so reduces oil pressure. Unfortunately the Z38 is a more expensive filter but if the oil pressure is reached faster as starting that means less wear on the engine.

2014-11-20 17:09:50 # 21780

Comment by Rick H

RYCO Z38 replacement oil filters:AC-Delco AC039Baldwin BT216Bosch 0986AF9023Donaldson P554403Fleetguard LF701FSA C5101Purolator L30137Repco ROF35Sakura C5101Wix 51806OE Part numbers matching this oil filter:OEM 2654403

2015-07-04 14:41:03 # 27229

Comment by Jeff K.

Rating: 8/10

The Purolator web sitehttp://www.purolatorautofilters.net/resources/Pages/ApplicationGuide.aspxcomes back with the PL20195 and the L20195. Considering the time I put in to the MGB, I go with the "better" one (PL). It is a little taller than the NAPA Gold 1068, but a little thinner.What I like about the Purolator is the grip surface, and the red gasket is easy to spot on my inverted (78) filter adapter. With the NAPA, the black rubber ring is covered with the pint of oil when you unscrew it, and you could miss it and have two rubber rings after you put the new one on, causing a leak I'd assume. As mentioned prior, the anti drain back lets loose some oil when you take it off, so you end up with a mess where the filter screws on, including on your hands, so the smooth black NAPA is hard reliably hand tighten when your hand in now lubricated. Much easier with the easy-grip PL surface and fluting.

2016-06-08 10:29:40 # 34975

Comment by Brian D

How remove a late model MGB oil filter, the one which has the mounting on the bottom, without oil spilling all over the place: 1. Drain the engine oil.2. Punch a few holes in the top of the filter. 3. Take a beer break. 4. When when you come back most of the oil will have drained out back into the engine.This seems to work only if you do not skip step 1 one (or step 3)Brian Dubin1953 MG TD1980 MGB

2016-11-05 18:58:21 # 38273

Comment by John Straight

My recently acquired 1975 MGB Roadster came with a NAPA Silver 21068 installed. It seems taller than any previously listed. Is there an issue with size that I'm not understanding? Thanks~The Newbie.

2017-05-12 12:35:54 # 42254

Comment by Leif Kirschenbaum

Rating: 8/10

As of 2017-05-12 the following filters appear to be obsolete (at least Google, O-Reilly, NAPA, Unipart, Ford Parts, etc. don't list them):Lee LF-42Moss 235-950Motorcraft FL-276Sears 45197STP SO-400Unipart GFE443Also, only the K&N HP-2009 appears to have a hex nut on the top. Not to be used for installation of the filter but useful for easier removal.

2017-05-19 17:11:56 # 42393

Comment by Bill Finger

I just acquired a 1974 MGB. Haven't had one in 30 years. It has a Mann W712/38 oil filter on it (inverted). The Napa 1068 seems huge in comparison. Is it a replacement?

2018-05-01 20:10:25 # 49967

Comment by Norm Leech

Just noticed that the Purolator L20195 is in both the hanging and inverted columns. ?

2020-07-25 10:54:13 # 64911

Comment by Aaron Greenberg

I use a MANN W719/12 with the Moss spin-on adapter on my 67 B/GT. No problems. Also use the same filter on my TC with Moss adapter and my TR6 with BPNW adapter. No leaks on any of them.

2024-02-25 11:01:53 # 89661

Comment by Tom Kottmeier

I was about to change the oil on my 1974 MGB GT, using Castrol 20/50 and WIX51374 filter, based on a recommendation which I now cannot find on the Forum! Any opinions??Thanks,Tom

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