FRAN OIL FILTERS SUCK

[dantye]

Here is an interesting, OLDER study of oil filters. http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfil ... .html#fram
I think the anti-drain back valve problems it notes with some filters are pretty much irrelevant in Spiders because of the filter mounting position.

Perhaps some of the confusion over the Fram PH8A part # is OLD information, since the listed average retail price in this study is way too low. The Fram PF8A filter they show appears to be an older version. The later ones have the black grip material on the end. They may have made other improvements as well. One might expect that Honeywell is not a company that could afford to continue making products they know don't work. I won't run it for that long, since I expect it will collect a lot more crap out of this engine, which did not run for the better part of 22 years! I suspect the tiny filter on it now is already full of muck, with a hemoraging bypass valve.

[mfusaro]

If its not too late to leave a comment about Fram oil filters...They are horrible, horrible, horrible, stay away from them! I had several bad experiences with Fram. I once had an old Jeep that I installed a Fram oil filter on. At the same time I changed the filter, I also installed the oil pressure gauge. When the Jeep was at idle, I only had 1 or 2 psi! I thought for sure my engine was going to die. I had a similar problem with low oil pressure on a VW once before (it also had a Fram filter) so I decided to replace the oil filter and see if it made any difference. This time I used a Bosch filter. After just replacing the oil filter (using the same oil as before), my pressure gauge was reading 15 psi at idle. What a difference.

That wasn't the only time I had issues with Fram. I used one of their "tough guard" filters on a Mitsubishi Eclipse. After replacing the filter and driving down the highway for several miles, I started to smell oil burning. I looked around for the source of the leak noticed a pin hole size leak coming from the oil filter. There was a small hole somewhere between the filter housing and the outer edge of the filter where they use that black anti skid stuff. I don't over tighten the oil filter or abuse it in any way. It must have came out of the factory this way. I'm lucky I noticed the leak before the engine blew.

One thing I will say about oil pressure - the oil pump determines how much initial oil pressure you have but it can be reduced significantly by the filter. The oil pressure sender measures the pressure after it passes through the filter. So if you do have oil pressure problems check the filter first before assuming it's the engine.

Never buy Fram. I use Bosch but I heard Purolator is a good filter too. I'm sure there's plenty of other filters that are much better than Fram. If anyone doubts me, google Fram and see what information comes up. You'll never want to use Fram again.

[wikkid]

So, other than the ones available from vendors, what are some of the off-the-shelf filter numbers from different mfgr's that folks are using?
Bosch;
Purolator;
Wix;
Motorcraft;
others?

Also, need to note which of the above filter numbers will fit an A/C car or not.

[ga.spyder]

Read the thread from dcfiats and buy the Clean filter.It tested the best and isnt expensive.I know the man who took the time to do this(thanks Bernie),and I trust him completely.The Clean filter is huge to boot,for extra cooling.
http://www.dcfiats.org/tech/filter-B.pdf

[dantye]

I have NOT experienced problems with FRAM, but perhaps Purolator's recent ad program, attacking FRAM directly, is working.

I just finished a 1360 mile trip including over 500 Interstate highway miles in my 81 Spider, which had not run for years before I purchased it in 2009. Including the 7,500 miles I have put on it since, It now has over 85K miles, the oil pan has not even been off, and the car did just fine with the PH8A filter shown in this photo. I still believe that, at least on a Fiat Spider - although any product can have production flaws occasionally - filter size is generally more important than brand among the major brands, for general, non-racing use. Can't speak for other cars, since filters mount in different positions on different cars, which could mean quite different operating parameters.

[BEEK]

wix filters! the only way for quality oil filters. they have 2-3 times the filter material . wix makes the napa brand too. do your own search on filter media. i myself have used fram ph7 filters for years on my fiats. once i started to work in the racing industry thats where my eyes were opened about wix. we ran cup cars for years and the only filter that was used or even talked about in the circles from the people who know is wix. i have cut them open and seen it for myself

[Fi8spider]

The PH8A is a Ford filter, just because it fits I wouldn't be using it.

I've also experienced different oil pressure readings on the same vehicle with differing oil filters while maintaining the same brand of oil. I'm not game to go into the science behind why but it is what it is.

It might be a bit of an overkill but I use the same dual valve oil filter specified for the Delta Intergrale motor, I tried it once recommended by a fellow fiat buddy and I'm convinced. Brand is Technocar.

[dantye]

The PH8A is a Ford filter, just because it fits I wouldn't be using it....

...and is the filter for an Aston Martin, Triumph TR8 and a Toyota Truck, like do we really believe that filters are that application specific? If they were, the Quick Change stops would not be able to carry all the inventory.

[Fi8spider]

...and is the filter for an Aston Martin, Triumph TR8 and a Toyota Truck, like do we really believe that filters are that application specific?

I do.

If they were, the Quick Change stops would not be able to carry all the inventory.

It doesn't sound like they do, it's probably why they just screw on whatever fits both motor and price.

[RRoller123]

I would assume that the bypass pressure release point is something that would be application specific, even on similarly sized filters. That is an important variable.

[dantye]

I would assume that the bypass pressure release point is something that would be application specific, even on similarly sized filters. That is an important variable.

That makes sense. Does anyone publish those specific specs?

Even that seems it would be less critical where the filter is in this mounting position, which has gravity working for you every time you turn the engine off. But to confirm that, you would have to cut open a used filter while it still had oil in it, and that would be REALLY MESSY! Guess i will quit defending my Cousin's filters and just use up the two more I have on hand.

(That sound you heard was the Towel I threw in whizzing by!)

[baltobernie]

That makes sense. Does anyone publish those specific specs?

Yes. Read the article. http://dcfiats.org/tech/filter-B.pdf

Here's your short answer: It's tough to beat the filter which was designed and built in cooperation between the engine manufacturer and the filter manufacturer. If you have a Toyota, buy a Denso filter. If you drive a Ford, get a Motorcraft. If you have a Fiat Spider, get a Delgrosso or UFI.

[4uall]

how do I buy one? I visited their websites and the does not appear to be any North American locations

[baltobernie]

IAP sells the Delgrosso (Clean) filter, and Vick sells the UFI. Other vendors may also carry them.

When looking for vintage Spider parts, whether for restoration, repair, or maintenance, always start first at those vendors who specialize in such things. Without the support of these guys, our cars would be unaffordable and sitting outside to rust away. Many, many questions asked here can be answered by simply looking at the catalogs and online tech tips these vendors provide. Most of these guys have been supplying parts (and answering technical questions) longer than some of you have been alive. You don't have to hike thru the snow to the mountaintop. Just bookmark Allison, FUN, Vick, IAP, Performance, Midwest, Obert, AutoRicambi, Bruce and a few others I may have inadvertently omitted.

[timinator]

Read the article. http://dcfiats.org/tech/filter-B.pdf .

Yes I did read the article. This is the most interesting statement it made.

"You will also note that there is no mention in this comparison of the filtering ability of the various manufacturers’ media. I don’t have the ability to test this."

I'm not sure why there is any interest in an oil filter other than how well it filters oil. There are plenty of good filters. Oil filter companies will give you the filtering capabilities of their filters if you request it. A PureOne filter had these test results:
Standard Beta ratio

B2 below 5microns
B10 = 6.6
B20 => 8
B75 => 11
B100 => 11.42
B200 => 13
B1000 => 15

Most passenger car filters are spec'd to filter at 22-25 microns. You would have to find out whether that is at B2 or B1000 by asking. The difference is important.