The only time I have read of someone cracking the Oil Filter Housing is when they were turning the Oil Cooler Hose Nut and the Fitting rotated with it and they had no backup wrench holding the already tightened Oil Filter Housing stationary.

Steel things tightened onto aluminum can often seal OK depending on the condition of the 2 surfaces. However, if you have to go with no crush Washers degrease the threads in the housing and the threads on the fittings and use Loctite or a something similar.

I had to thin the thickness of the head of a the wrench I used as a backup wrench on the Oil Filter Housing Fittings.

On the Oil Cooler Hose Nuts I used a large Crowsfoot on an extension. I can't remember for sure but I believe it was a 1-1/16 crows foot. It is mentioned in one of the Oil Cooler Hose threads and I believe I posted a pic.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel