Volvo 480 Club Europe

Starting to realize the difficulties I will face with owning a Volvo 480 Turbo in the USA as I look into normal maintenance and parts . My first issue is with finding an oil filter in the USA. I have found the following Mann oil filter W917/1 which fits the 480. However, I am unable to find this filter, or any other that interchange with it (Mahle OC 222, Filtron OP645, Champion COF100135S, Volvo 3467632, or Wix WL7207) in the USA.

I am able to find the Mann W917 filter in the USA. This is the same filter I use on my old Volvo 122. The specs look to be identical except for the thread. The 480 filter (W917/1) is M20x1.5 whereas the W917 is 3/4-16. I'm thinking my easiest fix would be to swap out the oil filter housing thread that screws into the block with an adapter that converts to 3/4-16 and then use the W917 filter. Does anyone have up close pictures of the oil filter housing and thread on the B18FT engine? Does the thread unscrew from the block? Do you know the thread size of the fitting on the block end and the overall dimensions of the fitting (most importantly length)?

Alternatively, if anyone has any other oil filter cross references that I might be able to locate more easily in the USA, please let me know. Obviously, the worst case solution is that I order a case of filters from Europe and just pay the tariff and shipping costs.

Remember that you have an oil cooler under it too

The Mahle OC 223 looks quite close to the same specs as the Mann W917/1 and is available in the USA. It looks to be a bit taller (96mm vs 85mm) and the bypass opening valve pressure 1.0 bar instead of 1.1 bar.

This Wix (Mann+Hummel) filter Wix 51381 also looks close. Again height is slightly different 80mm vs 85mm.

I could stuff a couple of oil filters in a parcel and mail it to you. Would be much safer bet than trying something with possible wrong threads, wrong sizes and/or no oil return valve. Shipment is € 18,20 untracked (€ 24,30 tracked) and the filters are approx. € 10 each, so if I send three, you'll be good for the next three years. Other parts you may find useful the coming years (and which are cheap to get hold of in this part of the world): tie rod ends, stabilizers and suspension bushes.
Engine gaskets, timing belts (need to be replaced every 6 years!) and alternator belts may be sourced in your country because the Renault Alliance shares the lower part of its engine with your car. Same 1721cc engine but obviously with a different cylinder head

Your call

Thank you Robert for the kind offer. I will definitely keep it in mind especially as I start to inventory other maintenance items I will need.