AC Delco PF454 GM Short Spin-On Oil Filter | 3¼ in. Tall | 13/16-16 Thread | Anti-Drain-Back Valve | GM Inline 4-Cylinder, V8 Small Block & Big Block Marine Engines | Block-Mount & Remote Applications

AC Delco PF454 GM Short Spin-On Oil Filter — 3¼ in. Tall | 3¾ in. Diameter | 13/16-16 Thread | Anti-Drain-Back Check Valve | Fits GM Inline 4-Cylinder, V8 Small Block & Big Block Marine Engines | Block-Mount & Some Remote Filter Applications

AC Delco PF454 is a short spin-on oil filter for General Motors marine engines. Fits GM inline 4-cylinder engines and GM V8 small block and big block marine engines in block-mounted filter locations and some remote filter applications. 3¼ in. tall, 3¾ in. diameter, 13/16-16 thread. Incorporates an anti-drain-back check valve to maintain oil pressure at startup and prevent oil drain-down when the engine is not running.

Part Specifications

• Part Number: AC Delco PF454
• SKU: ACD-PF454
• Filter Type: Short spin-on oil filter
• Height: 3¼ in. (3.25 in.)
• Diameter: 3¾ in. (3.75 in.)
• Thread: 13/16-16
• Anti-Drain-Back Valve: Yes
• Filter Location: Block-mounted; some remote filter applications
• Compatible Engines: GM inline 4-cylinder marine engines; GM V8 small block marine engines; GM V8 big block marine engines
• Also Available: Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 GM Short Oil Filter (Quicksilver-branded alternative for the same application)

Compatible GM Marine Engine Applications

The PF454 short filter is the correct filter for block-mounted locations on a range of General Motors marine engine families. Confirm your engine’s filter thread and mounting location before ordering — some GM marine engine applications use a tall filter or a different thread specification:

• GM inline 4-cylinder marine engines: Including 2.5L (153 cid) and related 4-cylinder GM blocks used in stern drive and inboard applications
• GM V8 small block marine engines: Including 5.0L (305 cid) and 5.7L (350 cid) small block V8 engines used in MerCruiser, Volvo Penta, and other GM-based stern drive and inboard applications
• GM V8 big block marine engines: Including 7.4L (454 cid) and 8.2L (502 cid) big block V8 engines in applicable filter mounting configurations
• Block-mounted and some remote filter locations: Fits engines where the filter mounts directly to the engine block at the 13/16-16 threaded port, and some remote-mounted filter housings using the same thread specification
• Verify before ordering: Some GM marine engine variants and model years use a full-size (tall) filter rather than the short filter. Confirm your engine’s filter part number or measure the existing filter (height and thread) before ordering the PF454.

Anti-Drain-Back Check Valve

• The PF454 incorporates an anti-drain-back check valve in the filter assembly. This valve closes when the engine is shut down, preventing oil in the filter and oil gallery from draining back into the sump through the filter bypass circuit.
• Why it matters for marine engines: Marine engines frequently sit between uses — sometimes for weeks or months during layup. Without an anti-drain-back valve, oil drains from the filter during extended storage, and the engine runs dry for a brief period at the next startup while the pump re-pressurizes the filter and oil galleries. The anti-drain-back valve maintains oil in the filter element and galleries, reducing this dry-startup interval and protecting bearings and cam lobes during initial startup after storage.
• This is a standard feature on the PF454 — confirm that any replacement filter used in this application also includes an anti-drain-back valve.

Short vs Tall Filter — Which Do You Need?

• GM marine engines are used with either a short filter (like the PF454 — 3¼ in. tall) or a tall (full-size) filter depending on the engine model, year, and installation configuration
• The short filter is required when engine compartment clearance at the filter location is limited, or when the engine block’s filter mount is specified for the short filter format
• Do not substitute a tall filter for a short filter in an application where the short filter is specified — a tall filter may contact the engine block, accessory bracket, or engine compartment structure in a tight installation
• If you are unsure which filter your engine uses, check the existing filter height against the PF454 specs (3¼ in. tall, 3¾ in. diameter, 13/16-16 thread) or consult your engine service manual for the correct filter part number

Application Notes

• Change oil and filter at the interval specified in your engine service manual — marine engines operating in high-load or high-heat conditions (planing hull stern drives, high-RPM operation) may benefit from shorter intervals than the stated maximum
• Apply a light film of clean engine oil to the filter gasket before installation; hand-tighten only — do not use a filter wrench to install. Tighten an additional ¾ turn after the gasket contacts the sealing surface.
• Verify the old filter gasket has been removed from the engine block before installing the new filter — a double-gasketed filter will leak immediately at startup
• After starting the engine, check for leaks at the filter base before operating under load; shut down immediately if any oil leak is observed
• Dispose of used oil and filters per local regulations — many marinas and auto parts retailers accept used oil and filters for recycling

Additional Information

• Vendor: AC Delco
• SKU: ACD-PF454
• Part Number: PF454
• Product Type: Boat & Engine Maintenance / Oil Filters
• Thread: 13/16-16
• Height: 3¼ in.
• Diameter: 3¾ in.
• Country of Origin: USA
• HS Code: 8421.23 (oil or petrol-filters for internal combustion engines — verify for your import classification)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the PF454 fit my MerCruiser 5.7L (350 cid) stern drive?
A: The PF454 fits GM V8 small block marine engines including the 5.7L 350 cid block used in MerCruiser stern drives, provided the engine uses a short filter in the block-mounted location with 13/16-16 thread. Verify by comparing the PF454 specs (3¼ in. tall, 13/16-16 thread) to your existing filter before ordering.

Q: What is the difference between the PF454 and the Quicksilver 35-866340Q03?
A: Both are short spin-on GM marine oil filters for the same engine family applications. The PF454 is the AC Delco OEM-specification filter; the Quicksilver 35-866340Q03 is the Mercury/Quicksilver-branded equivalent. Either can be used in the same application — the choice typically comes down to brand preference or availability.

Q: Does the PF454 have an anti-drain-back valve?
A: Yes — the PF454 incorporates an anti-drain-back check valve that keeps oil in the filter and galleries when the engine is shut down, reducing the dry-startup interval at the next start, which is especially important after extended marine storage periods.

Q: Can I use the PF454 on a GM big block 454 or 502 marine engine?
A: The PF454 is listed for GM V8 big block marine engine applications. Verify the thread (13/16-16) and filter height against your engine’s existing filter specification before ordering, as some big block installations may use a different filter configuration.

Q: How do I install the PF454 correctly?
A: Apply a light film of clean engine oil to the filter gasket. Hand-tighten until the gasket contacts the sealing surface, then tighten an additional ¾ turn by hand — do not use a filter wrench to install. Verify the old gasket was removed from the block before installing. Start the engine and check for leaks before operating under load.