Yes-----another oil filter thread! Sorry!

I'm applying experience and common sense. A lot has been said about oil filters. Opinions, I mean. I have read quite a bit including the "engine oil filter study" website. (Great site!) Engine Oil Filter Study

In thinking: I think I've put too much thinking into oil filters.
Modern day engine manufacturing/machining is more precise than it used to be. Fuel injection/ignition system/computer technology have changed the game. Engines are more clean and efficient.
Modern oil technology and formulation has changed quite a bit. I've read that regular dino oil today is better than synthetic oil 15 years ago thanks to refining technology and detergents.

Oil filters do not work as hard. I personally have used Fram oil filters most of my 30 years of driving and wrenching. The past 5 years I have used Motorcraft and Mopar filters. Mainly from fear-mongering in reading on various websites (including this one) On other sites like Dodge Truck sites there are debates that have gotten nasty! Not here: and this is what I like about this site!!! Y'all are rational and level-headed!!!!

I've NEVER had an oil filter failure. Lucky? I don't know? I used to change oil every 3k religiously. I've switched to every 5k. I use Dino oil (5w-30) and usually use Walmart Supertech brand. (It's actually the same as either Castrol or Valvoline) can't remember and too lazy to check.

Now on Anti-drain back valves: I don't believe they are necessary on our trucks. Why? Because the filters are mounted vertically. (At least it is on my 5.0 and on my 4.7 on my Dodge) Every truck I've owned the filter is mounted vertical.

On the amount of pleats and filtration. In my opinion; A filter doesn't need a lot of pleats and surface area to do the job. Modern engines are cleaner. Less filtering will still catch larger particles. If it filters too much, then the filter will become blocked anyway. But, As I said before modern engines are clean.

One thing that changed my attitude. My niece had a V6 camaro. She rear-ended someone and the hood became stuck shut. As a result the oil didn't get changed for 3 years! (Please don't ask about my brother!) (Picture Thor and Loki, with me being Thor) After 2 frustrating hours I got the hood open did some needed maintenance including oil and filter. She drove the car every day. The car was running fine. When draining the 3 year old oil: I noticed the oil didn't look as bad as I would've thought! The car had around 88k miles on it. Also, the oil level was within the hash marks on the dipstick!

Another scenario is my Ford Truck. I am the 6th owner. It has 180k miles. I was used as work truck for an HVAC guy for while and an electrician for a while. I bought it from an Airline Mechanic. The AC mechanic did not take good care of it! (The cooling system was so full of crud, I replaced the entire cooling system!) The heater hoses were solid blocked the entire length of the hoses! When peaking in my engine and oil pan; everything was pretty clean!

Putting all this together; In my opinion, all the thought I've given to oil filters has been convoluted. I like to get the best bang for my buck, and like to keep my vehicles running clean and smooth.
Having said that: I believe the Fram filters without the anti-drain back valve is more than adequate. If not, then one may have other engine issues that need to be fixed.

I didn't mention: My niece is/was an honor student who graduated number 7 in her class of a large high school and had 2 years of college out of the way while in high school. Yet she had NO clue what an odometer was!! I still Love my niece and this is what Uncles are for!
Also, My brother is not a bad person (never been to jail or drugs) and has done a lot of good things for me and is a good father. We are just different and we have different priorities.

Thank You for reading, and would enjoy level-headed opinions.

 

If you look at how Fram is constructed I think you'll see why they are not good. Their filtering isnt good at all either. I know the 2-3 times many years ago that my truck had one on it, the engine was more noisy on cold start up. I see no reason to give a company money for crap parts when others are more deserving. I'll stick with Motorcraft FL1A or Wix or Purolator.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop...gw4B7R-I&gl=US

 

Personally, I think if you want to pick the oil filter that is the best bang for the buck, you should use the Motorcraft FL1A. It's what Ford specified, and it takes all consideration of "better" or "worse" oil filters out of the equation.

 

I use Purolator. Never had a problem and are solid with good construction

 

^^I've seen listed multiple times that Purolator actually makes the aftermarket (replacement) Motorcraft filters...

 

Another good brand I've used. I prefer to keep my Ford all Ford when I can. Except I am a diehard Valvoline fan