WIX Oil Filter 51061 – GM Tall Marine (MerCruiser, OMC, Crusader)

WIX Oil Filter 51061 – GM Tall Marine (MerCruiser, OMC, Crusader)

The WIX 51061 is a tall-body, full-flow spin-on oil filter commonly used on select older GM-based marine engines. Its enhanced-cellulose media removes abrasive contaminants from circulating engine oil while maintaining the flow required to protect bearings, journals, and other lubricated components.

The filter measures approximately 5.18 inches high by 3.66 inches in diameter and uses a 13/16"-16 mounting thread. WIX rates it at 21 microns nominal, 9–11 GPM maximum flow, and 285 psi burst pressure.

Important: This filter has no internal bypass valve and no anti-drainback valve. Confirm these specifications match your engine’s filter-head requirements before ordering.

Key Features

• Tall-format full-flow spin-on oil filter
• Enhanced-cellulose filtration media
• Nominal filtration rating: 21 microns
• Thread size: 13/16"-16
• Height: approximately 5.18 in / 132 mm
• Outside diameter: approximately 3.66 in / 93 mm
• Gasket outside diameter: approximately 3.44 in
• Gasket inside diameter: approximately 3.10 in
• Maximum rated flow: 9–11 GPM
• Burst-pressure rating: 285 psi
• No internal bypass valve
• No anti-drainback valve
• WIX Part Number: 51061
• UPC/GTIN: 765809510616

Engine Compatibility

WIX catalogues the 51061 for select older marine engines from MerCruiser, OMC, Crusader, and Chris-Craft, including many GM-based inline, V6, and V8 applications:

• Chris-Craft 305, 307, and 350-series marine engines
• Crusader 100, 120, 150, 160, 165, 170, 200, 210, 225, 240, 255, 260, and 350 models
• MerCruiser 110 through 198-series engines
• MerCruiser 200, 225, 228, 250, 255, 260, 280, 310, 320 EFI, 325, 330, 350 Magnum, 355, 370, 390, 400, 420 TRS, 454 Magnum, and 555 models
• OMC 100 through 260-series engines
• OMC Cobra 2.5L, 5.0L, and 5.7L applications

Compatibility varies by engine year, marinizer, filter-head design, and remote-filter arrangement.

Fitment Notice

Confirm the engine model, serial number, and number printed on the existing filter before ordering. Not every GM-based marine engine uses the same oil filter — later engines may require a similar-looking filter with an anti-drainback valve or a different internal specification. The 51061 has no internal bypass or anti-drainback valve; a filter that shares its 13/16"-16 thread and outside dimensions is not automatically an appropriate substitute. Also confirm the approximately 5.18-inch-tall filter body has adequate clearance from the engine mount, oil pan, bilge structure, and surrounding hoses.

When to Replace

Replace the oil filter whenever the engine oil is changed or at the service interval specified by the marine engine manufacturer. Earlier replacement may be appropriate following extended trolling or prolonged low-speed operation, heavy-load or high-temperature use, fuel, coolant, water or debris contamination, long periods of seasonal storage, internal engine repairs, abnormal oil pressure, or visible corrosion, denting, or leakage from the filter body.

Installation Notes

Remove the old filter and confirm its sealing gasket has not remained on the filter head. Clean the sealing surface and lightly coat the new gasket with clean engine oil. Install by hand to the manufacturer’s tightening specification — do not overtighten. After installation: refill with the specified oil, start the engine and verify normal oil pressure, inspect for leakage, shut down and allow oil to settle, then recheck and correct the oil level.

Cross-Reference Numbers

• MerCruiser 52-731 / 54-111
• Mercury 54-111
• OMC 173233
• Chris-Craft 0681-08130
• General Motors 5578052 / 5578085 / 5578108 / 6435679 / 6437055 / 6437946 / 6438384
• Sierra 18-7876
• ACDelco PF1218 / PF35
• NAPA Gold 1061
• FRAM PH5

WIX 51794 is the taller two-quart version associated with this filter family — only use it when the engine specification and available installation clearance permit the longer body.

Cross-reference numbers are comparison aids only. Confirm the original filter number and engine application before substituting brands.

Other WIX Filters

• WIX Oil Filter 51083 – Mercury & Mariner Outboards
• WIX Oil Filter 51515 – Ford Marine
• WIX Oil Filter 51806
• WIX Oil Filter 51361 – Nissan, Infiniti & Kubota
• WIX Hydraulic Filter 51551 – 10 Micron

Parts Desk Insights

The WIX 51061 is often described simply as the “GM tall” filter, but that description alone is not enough to confirm fitment. Its lack of both an internal bypass valve and an anti-drainback valve is the critical detail — these are not standard omissions on most modern filters, and installing the wrong filter on an engine that requires one or both of these features can result in oil pressure issues or dry starts. Match the existing filter number and confirm the marine engine application before ordering. The MerCruiser and OMC OEM cross-references above are the most reliable confirmation of fitment for GM-based marine engines.

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