Denno Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 I have a 1931 Pontiac 401 with a split 6 engine. I can not find the oil filter. Where is it please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Oil filters were very uncommon in 1931, are you sure your car has one? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denno Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 Not sure at all. Just bought this car and making sure we are up to snuff. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hook Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Denno said: I have a 1931 Pontiac 401 with a split 6 engine. I can not find the oil filter. Where is it please? Most all cars then did not have a filter. Some high end car manufacturers offered them as an extra. Otherwise it was an accessory your favorite mechanic would try to convince you to get. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32PONTIAC Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 no filters used til '32 as a dealer installed option , and only later # engine blocks that had plug on right side in front of starter filter was mounted on firewall above starter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) And even then, Pontiac wasn't committed to the idea. Some Pontiac sixes after 1939(?) had a sort of centrifugal filter in the oil pickup, meant to go 100,000 miles before cleanout. There was still no cartridge filter to change with the oil unless one was added. Edited January 17, 2022 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Oversized oil pans were settling ponds for solids to drop out in early cars & trucks. So, you will likely find oil sludge in the pan as intended by the early engineers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32Pontiac6 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 32 Pontiac is correct about the filter on 1932 Pontiacs. See the following from The Parts and Service Pointer from July 1, 1932 on Page 11. https://pontiacsplithead.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/servicenewsjuly1932low.pdf There were some add on, bypass filters, that I have seen on ‘32’s and I am sure they could have been mounted on a ‘31 also. However no filter was standard on the ‘31. The pan had a mesh screen that isolated the crankcase side of the engine from the suction side of the oil pump. The pan has baffles on the bottom to make the oil flow around them so that particles can settle out before reaching the pump. I have a website that I continue to build for splithead (1926-32) Pontiacs and try to regularly upload information there. The site is: www.pontiacsplithead.com Right now there is more information for ‘30 and ‘32 but much can be learned about your car from those two years. The Service Manual information that is uploaded will apply to your car although I have not scanned the entire manual yet. Good luck with the ‘31. Splithead Pontiacs are great driving cars. Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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