Oil filer question

Interesting topic Lonn. I kinda had wondered about this myself. The other day I changed the oil in one of my 175's (diesel) and decided to use a motorcraft FL1-A filter I had laying around. Curious to see some input....

Cut open the Fram filter, then cut open a Wix or Motorcraft (Purolator) filter. Let your eyes tell you which one you want.
(No Fram for me)

Well I didn't have a Fram PH8A filter to take apart. The only other filter I have in that category is an AGCO but the D17 isn't ready for a change yet.

I did take apart one of the new CO-442/PH2850 filters......... here's what I found,sorry no pics...... It has 50 pleats of filter media, a leaf spring behind the element when you pulled the element out, metal caps on both ends, the pleat ends were glued together, a nice rubber seal between element and base plate with 6 holes in base plate, 5 of which were about 1/4" and 1 at slightly bigger than 9/32".

I did take apart an AGCO 74037047 (filter for 426 7000 series). It had 49 pleats, coil spring, metal caps, metal crimped pleat ends, hard plastic tapered seal between base plate and element. 8 holes about 9/32" diameter.

NAPA 1795 for 426.... 55 pleats, coil spring, metal caps, glued pleat ends, same hard plastic seal as AGCO, and 6 holes about 5/16".

Fram PH3689 for 426..... 55 pleats, leaf spring, metal caps, metal crimp on pleat ends, flat cardboard type seal, 8 holes 1/4".

...........................

Then 180/190 301 filters.

Fleet Guard LF682.... 64 pleats, coil spring, metal caps, metal crimp on pleat ends, nice large diameter rubber seal diameter of element (other seals on filters above were smaller. 8 holes 5/16".

Baldwin BT267.... 91 pleats! coil spring, metal caps, metal crimped pleat ends, large rubber seal along with the same type hard plastic tapered seal as AGCO & NAPA, 8 holes 5/16".

....................

Then a NAPA 1796 (short filter used on 200 with 301 and can be used on 426-7000 series) 80 pleats, coil spring, metal caps, glued pleat ends, same hard plastic seal as other NAPA 1795, 6 holes 5/16".

After all that (I should have put that info in a better format to read) I really only want to know if the Cenex CO-442/PH2850 is as good or better than AGCO's filter so if anyone has a used one and the time to take one apart, I'm all ears.

BTW the Baldwin filter I took apart is hard to beat as far as I can see.

The only new filter I took apart was the Cenex. The rest are used and black with dirty oil. I have no idea as to what the Cenex has for media but so far I'm inclined to say the filter seems better than I thought it would be.

Edited by Lonn - 26 Jun 2016 at 9:06pm

Play Farmer wrote: I'm not saying it is or it isn't, I'm asking. I'm just thinking if they were still junk, in today's world, they'd have a hard time staying in business.

The filter is going to meet "minimum manufacturer's specifications." You can go with that. As for what is junk? How would the average person know? Advertisements do not give you the technical specifications. Most people subscribe to the theory of "it's advertised a lot, therefor it must be good." What would you rather use: A filter that removes dirt down to 40 microns or a filter that removes down to 20 microns of dirt? You'll never find this in an advertisement. Certainly not in a Fram advertisement.

Back when I changed my own oil I used Fram with no issues. Now I have my local Ford dealer do it - I came to the conclusion I wasn't saving a nickle vs what they were doing it for, so let them do it.

Lon when I was in the fuel/oil business in the 1970\1980's it was recommended any filter over 10 years old be discarded. Use your oun judgement.

HD6GTOM wrote: Lon when I was in the fuel/oil business in the 1970\1980's it was recommended any filter over 10 years old be discarded. Use your oun judgement.

They give a reason? When I took this one apart it looked good. I wonder if the filter media breaks down?

One thing I've seen with Fram filters. A motor will use oil with them and not with other good filters.

LeonR2013 wrote: One thing I've seen with Fram filters. A motor will use oil with them and not with other good filters.

Any explanation of that?

David G. wrote: This is just my opinion, but if Fram wasn't sold at Walmart where the average Joe comes to buy oil and filters, it would be hard times for the company. Since Fram does advertise alot and makes their filters sound good, the average shade tree mechanic succumbs to the advertising and convenience of buying oil and filter while buying shampoo, light bulbs, tater chips, etc.....

Exactly! Why are they still in business building "junk"? Because they're cheap, and that's what the majority of the people buy!

Tbone95 wrote: I used to get a kick out John Force being the spokesman for Fram filters. Seriously? Your engine has to last 5 seconds! Hahaha...then you're going to rebuild it! I spent a summer assembling filters for AC (as in AC Delco). My God, what a crappy job!!!!!!!!!!!

Truth of the matter is: Why would you bother putting an oil filter on a dragster?

Edit: The same can be said for that K&N air filter commercial where they have the car stirring around in the dust. It doesn't prove anything to me.


Edited by DougS - 28 Jun 2016 at 9:15am