NAPA gold is a 20 micron filter and is 50% efficient at a single pass, so 1 out of 2, 20 micron particles are caught with first pass. Typical of a full flow filter and blocking the bypass valve doesn't make the media any more efficient. It's still only going to catch 1 out of 2, 20 micron particles at the first pass. The other particle is going to make more circuits in the oil system. Anything under 20 microns will circulate indefinitely until the oil is drained.
The majority of engine wear is caused by 5-10 micron particles which are free to roam with any full flow filters, and are only removed most times when oil is changed. Just keeping the facts straight here.
A by pass filter removes 100% particulate to 2 microns the first pass, I really have no idea if it would have saved the wear parts in this instance, but it at least would have a fighting chance as 100% of the oil runs through it every 5 minutes, even with the bushing deteriorating it would still only circulate in the engine for 5 minutes, not indefinitely.
After close to 50 years in the automotive field I have never seen this problem arise with a distributor bushing failing. Paul and Jeff in my estimation have gone over and above to stand behind their work, even though it was no fault of their own. This is how a business is judged when the job has a failure and they stand behind it, even though any profit they made initially was eaten up, they still hung in there until the problem was solved. This is exactly the formula that separates a good business from a great business. Business ethics like this are tough to find today and refreshing to see someone still has the foresight to keep their reputation intact because they intend to be around for many years.
Glad the problem has been solved, and the owner is going to be able to put some miles on his car this year. Good job to all who got their hands dirty trying to solve this elusive noise, I know you did it for the brotherhood of Pontiac owners out there.
