Would anyone know why an oil filter would be so difficult to get off.  I have been changing my own oil in all my vehicles for over 30 years now.  I put a new crate motor in the car.  I went to change out the filter at 50 miles and I had to cut it out, the filter crumpled like a cheap beer can.  I figured I might have had put it on too tight.  When I bought the motor, I installed an aftermarket oil filter adapter, but I put the OEM filter back on with the existing filter.

 sounds as if your oil filter adapter' threads are just a little out of round or not cut to specs,,if it ez to get off i would change it. it could cause your filter to crack and lose oil,,rd

That's a possibility, but...it would also make it hard to get the filter on, I would think. Sounds like the problem is just too tight on the filter("1/4 turn past contact"), no lube on the gasket, or...it is a cheap beer can!
You can check the thread on the adaptor you took off with a new filter to see if the threads are wrong/off. But if you put the original adaptor back on, and you think the filter is too tight with that one, then it's probably not the threads. I'm guessing you just don't know your own strength! That, and the new filters are made from wimpier metal.

Ditto on the TODAYS CHEAP FILTERS!!! More & more the metal is getting ever so thin. On the inside they are al virtually the same. A buddy of mine that works in a garage has been cutting them in half for years and doesn't see any real big differences to the elements.

I just removed one from my daughters Cam Ray (her version of the Stingray) It (a Fram) had started to suck the element out of the oil passage openings. Hopefully I caught this prior to to its entry into the engine. Time will tell.... I didn't see any come out of the pan. I change oil in it every 3000 mi or close.

If you don't pre-oil the gasket this can help aide your descriptive problem. Heat from the motor causes the gasket to expand against the outer filter band thus creating the tight fit you described. Oiling the gasket helps the filter slip away during removal.

Just an FYI to those unlucky souls who encounter a stuck filter. Cut the filter band and it will let the filter come off. This can be done with a long screwdriver. Placing it on the band (rolled filter lip) and lightly tapping the screwdriver handle with a hammer.

This is somewhat cleaner than totally destroying the top of the filter and oil leaking out everywhere.     

By the way Gurtz that is one fine looking engine!!!    Tuxblacray2007-01-14 20:08:55

Thanks for the replies.  I had to cut the filter out, a Fram TG, and once I got through the band, it came right off.  However, I brought Double T or Double Trouble as I call her to get the A/C evacuated, charged and fine tuned and my buddy who is a well known and great GM mechanic also stated it was a bitch removing as I watched him do it.  I always oil the gasket and put on 1/4 turn. 

I use Delco filters on the GM stuff cause my buddy sells em to me at dealer cost. Had been using Fram on the Camry & the Saturn. May rethink that based on this last experience with the Camry... Definately for the latter two it will be something that has a check valve in it to retain some oil in the filter @ start up. This is due to the filter laying on the side of the block in these applications.

Genuine AC/Delco parts on all my GM stuff. The Mercedes(Diesel) gets Fram, cause it gets changed more often anyway.

I've found they always come off easier when they're hot. Only once have I tried removing an oil filter that was cold and I mangled it up.

I only use Ac Delco filters on the Vettes but whatever is on sale on the wife's car or my work van. Been finding Quaker State filters cheap at Menards(kinda like Home Depot) for years now. Over 130K miles on both vehicles with no problems.  Mike

I use Fram on everything.  184k on the pickup (GMC w/5.7L 350).  I use the  Fram racing filter on the vettes new engine.

Never had a problem.  I've used Fram products since 1976 and only had to cut them off when I forget to be easy.

You can take a valve stem, cut the valve head off and grind the tip down.  Then you have a good punch to use if you have to tear off all the case.  You can put the tip into any of the flow holes and tap it aorund with a hammer.