Topic: Red vs. Gold oil filters

[YELLOWBOSS2]

Can anyone explain the time line when the Ford dealers used the red then the gold Rotunda oil filters and then the switch to Autolite.

Thanks

Dave

[CharlesTurner]

Generally, red for '65, gold for '66.  I'm sure there was overlap in usage, especially with dealers using them.

[Bob Gaines]

Generally, red for '65, gold for '66.  I'm sure there was overlap in usage, especially with dealers using them.

To add to Charles post generally Autolite was 67 up but I am sure there was some overrlap in late 66 too. Bob 

[YELLOWBOSS2]

Thanks for the info and the responses.

Dave

[C5ZZKGT]

Is there an "accepted" date to as to when the "switch" was made from Red to Gold at the dealers?

[CharlesTurner]

Is there an "accepted" date to as to when the "switch" was made from Red to Gold at the dealers?

Not really.  B. Perkins might know when the Gold ones were introduced.  Otherwise, would generalize and say red for '65 up through early '66 production and then Gold later.  I remember seeing some ads for either of them, maybe in some dealer mailings also.

[PerkinsRestoration]

 According to Ford Shop tips May 65 was the intro for the Gold 6000 mile Filter and Gold 6000 mile oil in quart and 5 quart Rotunda cans. I'm sure many dealers had a lot of old stock to use up before they received the Gold. I agree with Charles on application.

[autonomousbronco]

I'd run into a similar issue and had spoke with Bob Perkins. He mentioned that the '65 Mustang's would have the Rotunda red oil filter while the '66 Mustangs should have the "Gold" oil filters. However, he mentioned that the oil filter was painted on the engine block at the factory, so it should match the engine block color if it's thoroughbred. There currently are reproductions for 30 dollars that look very convincing. I recommend going with one of these rather than a decal because the have the "double ridges" on the bottom like the originals.

      Best of Luck in your restoration!

[autonomousbronco]

Just noticed Bob's comment above mine, He could let you know if I recalled correctly! 

[C5ZZKGT]

According to Ford Shop tips May 65 was the intro for the Gold 6000 mile Filter and Gold 6000 mile oil in quart and 5 quart Rotunda cans. I'm sure many dealers had a lot of old stock to use up before they received the Gold. I agree with Charles on application.

My '65 K code has a scheduled build date of July 27th, 1965 almost 3 months after the Gold filters were introduced, so IF the original owner drove the 6000 miles on the original oil then took it to a Ford dealer to be changed sometime in early 1966 then IT would have gotten a Gold filter IMO.

[carlite65]

could be. but if the dealer has any leftover red ones they too could have been used.

[NEFaurora]

I agree.  It all depends on whatever the dealer's stock was at the time..whatever the dealer.  I'm sure that many red filters even got installed on early '67's if the Ford Dealership was big enough..  The dealer was going to use up whatever they had in stock. If Joe Blow Ford Mechanic went into the stock room, and there was a filter sitting on a shelf that fit, He used it.
  Today's Ford actions at your local dealer would be no different.  The only exception to this rule would be if a TSB went out stating halting the use of a specific part in lieu of a newer, better part...which did not ever happen in the case of these Red vs. Gold filters that I have ever heard of.

[NEFaurora]

Basically, in a nutshell, The Red filters were used up until supply was exhausted.. no matter what the dealership was.. If there was a case found in the corner of a stock room in a dealership somewhere, I'm sure that it got used..no matter what the timeframe was...even if it was 2-3 years later. It would just be a "fluke", and I am sure they existed.  We've seen many Ford dealerships empty their stock rooms in the early to mid 90's and what was found was shocking....Many Shelby parts, cases of Red filters, stuff you would not believe was still in there after 30+ years.  Just ask Bob Perkins.

[C5ZZKGT]

I am reading all the opinions about the oil filters here and agree 100%.
That said I am going to repete MY opinion:
My car, a Dearborn, July 27th (scheduled) build date in 1965, most likely was delivered to the Original dealer, a very small one at that, (O'Neill Ford, Inc.) in Greenvale, New York, in the first week of August 1965, sold to a Charles P. Swanson on August 11, 1965, my senerio is that Mr.Swanson took until late March of 1966 to put his first 6k miles on the car, took it back to O'Neill Ford to have the oil and filter changed, and the (again) mechanic opened the first case of Gold filters and installed one onto the Hipo engine....

Are the MCA judges likely to deduct the 2 points from my car because I chose a Gold filter??

[CharlesTurner]

Are the MCA judges likely to deduct the 2 points from my car because I chose a Gold filter??

For MCA concours, your car should represent how it was delivered when it was new to the original owner.  Therefore, it really ought to have a block color oil filter.  You can install a red one and be fine, but I would think you would lose at least 1 point for a Gold one.