View single post by Esprit2
 Posted: 06-19-2017 04:47 am
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Esprit2

 

Joined: 05-01-2005
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
Posts: 572
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The following is probably more than you want to know, but...

Over the years, Lotus had three oil filters for the 9XX 4-cylinder. All had the same basic part number, but with A, B & C prefixes. The early A907E6000 filter was introduced with the 907, and used on the 912 and early 910 Turbo.

The Bosch injected 910 had unique filter needs, and the B907E6000 filter was introduced for it. The B-filter will not adequately engage the threaded spigot on an earlier 9XX engine (907), and may come loose. Never use a B-filter or an equivalent cross-ref filter on a pre-1986 9XX, including the 907.

Finally, Lotus introduced the universal C907E6000 filter that is compatible will all 9XX engines, from the 907 through the 1996 910S. That's all that is available from Lotus now... the A & B prefix filters have been discontinued.

Why does a JH owner care? Maybe you don't. But if you're looking for aftermarket cross-ref filters, there are lengthy lists in the Lotus community. You can use any of the A & C equivalents, but do not consider a B-equivalent cross-ref. Websites should just purge all B-prefix references, but the fact is that they're still out there. If you're shopping Lotus sites for 907 filter recommendations, know what the person is recommending the filter for. If he owns a 1986-88 Bosch injected Esprit, do NOT follow his lead without asking which prefix letter it's equivalent to.

A-Prefix alternatives: (Pre - 1986 9XX cars)
Chrysler............ 2.2 4-Cylinder
Ford V8 ............ 289/ 302/ 351 Windsor
Ford V6 ............ 2.8 (USA models, Mustang II etc)
Ford L4 ............ 1.6 / 2.0 / 2.3 (USA applications)
Ford / FoMoCo ... DIRY-6731A
MG.................... MGB / MGB-GT
SAAB................. 99 / 900 / 9000
Volvo ................ All Volvo gas engines (except 850?)
AC Delco............ PF-13* PF-20
Champion........... PH-228
Lee.................... LF-17HP LF-16 LF-16HP
Motorcraft .......... FL-300
Purolator ........... L10017* PER 17(old) PER-8100
Purolator............ L102421

FRAM filters are not the most highly regarded amongst Lotus owners, so use them at your own discretion... but here they are:
Fram ExtendGuard .. XG43 (modern line extension)
Fram X2 ................. XG43 Esprit / Elite / Eclat (name before ExtendGuard)
Fram ToughGuard .... TG43 Esprit / Elite / Eclat
Fram High Mileage ... HM43 (modern line extension)
Fram DoubleGuard ... DG43 Esprit / Elite / Eclat
Fram....................... PH-16, PH-3963, PH-43*
Fram ExtraGuard ..... PH43* Esprit / Elite / Eclat
Fram ExtraGuard ..... CH820PL 1973-74 Elite listing

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C-Prefix alternatives: (1989-Onward 9XX cars)
Coopers/Fiaam ......... FT4883
Baldwin ................... B163
K&N ........................ HP-2004 (K&N 2004) (It's a tight fit / made by Champion Labs)
Lucas ...................... F5534 (Tingles supplied for all 9XX)
Mann........................ W712/38
Mobil-1 .................... M1-204 (made by Champion Labs)
Purolator Pure-One.... PL20081 (3.77 OD x 3.75 Length – 8-16 psi Pressure Relief Valve)
Volvo OEM filter ....... 1950-present Volvo "gas" engines (except the 850)
............................... Good quality, proper anti-drainback valve, and aren't expensive.

**K&N oil filters have a 1 inch nut on the end to aid in removal. But that makes the filter longer and a difficult fit in some Lotus applications.

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In general, the more expensive filters have better filtration. Even if two different filters look identical on the outside, they very well may have different filtration media inside them. In broad strokes, there are really 4 quality levels of filters:

Dealer/Lube Shop Brands - Pennzoil, Valvoline, Quaker State
- These are generally lowest quality, capturing 40 micron sized particles.

Conventional
- Fram Extraguard, Purolator, ACDelco Duraguard, Wix
- These are around 25 micron filters.

Mid-grade
- PureOne, Fram Toughguard, AC Delco Duraguard Silver
- These are generally 10-20 micron filters.

Premium
- ACDelco Ultraguard Gold, 8-10microns,
- Mobil One, 10-12 microns.

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A fellow on the Turbo Esprit list used a Ford 90 Degree adapter from a 1994 4.0L V-6 SUV engine (also Ford Ranger). Adapters can be found in the $20 to $40 range on e-Bay or junk yards, or new from Ford parts. This turns the filter to a vertical position, hanging down. It's more easily accessible from below, and it doesn't spill oil when it's removed.

Cast in markings:
Ford
C9J1A
89TM6884AA

Some adapters have different casting numbers, so make sure it’s the one with INCH filter threads! (3/4"-16) If buying used, look for one that is complete with the special mounting bolt.

While at it, he also installed a Mocal Oil Cooler adapter with built in thermostat for faster warm-ups. He machined off the OD threaded portion on the Mocal adapter bolt and re-cut the thread all the way through.

If the factory oil cooler sandwich plate is retained, then a simple threaded adapter can be made. This adapter needs to be a little shorter to ensure full compression of both sandwich plate and adapter O-rings.

Use Permatex 56521 - High Performance Thread Sealant to seal/lock the adapter the same way the Lotus factory sealed the thread extension adapter (which, by the way, needs to be removed in order to mount the new threaded adapter piece).

If interested, I have a Word.doc article, complete with photos.

Regards,
Tim Engel

Last edited on 06-19-2017 05:02 am by Esprit2