are frams that bad?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
are frams that bad?
I use Motorcraft and Napa Gold filters depending on where I am when I need to make the purchase. They are both good quality filters. Now you can have peace of mind in your filter. 
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
From: York, NE
are frams that bad?
I've always been a fram user, usually the toughgaurd, but will probably switch as I've heard from other places that they are crap. I don't care about price so much as long as it is a better product, so do you think it would be woth the extra ca$h to get the mobil 1. By the way I've never had a problem with fram, but I'm mostly a light duty user, except come November.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 3
From: Oregon Coast
are frams that bad?
There is nothing fundamentally wrong with them. I cut them open all the time and have never seen any reason not to use them. The Ford ones have a nice rubber anti-drainback valve that works and the bypass is a nice plastic poppet riding in a steel housing with a fairly stiff spring to keep it sealed well. They are my second choice for my Fords and the Fram HP-4 goes on my 680 horse 357ci Chevy. And of course nothing but Mobil-1 10-30 going through them.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
are frams that bad?
Hard for me to believe that Frams are that bad. I use their air filters too. I've used them exclusively for years in several vehicles. I throw 'em away after 3 months though. I like the band of black stuff on the end ;-).....Van
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
are frams that bad?
Personally, I would never use anything but a Purolator filter on any vehicle. Filters are not an area where one should try to cut corners.
We don't have any NAPAs left in my area so I can't judge their Gold line. It's Purolator for me all the way.
We don't have any NAPAs left in my area so I can't judge their Gold line. It's Purolator for me all the way.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 1
From: Scenic Wisconsin
are frams that bad?
NAPA Gold is the same as Wix (or at least it was), which is a quality filter.
I have also used Fram oil filters over the years, and I haven't really had any problems with them. I did notice that the one for my Power Stroke is made a lot better than regular ones. It might have something to do with it being part of Fram's "fleet" product line.
I have also used Fram oil filters over the years, and I haven't really had any problems with them. I did notice that the one for my Power Stroke is made a lot better than regular ones. It might have something to do with it being part of Fram's "fleet" product line.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
are frams that bad?
Why on earth would a different brand oil filter increase oil pressure by 20#'s. Is that a good thing? Curious......Van
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
are frams that bad?
Hmmm. I thought oil flow and pressure was a function of the oil pump. Seriously I've never heard of this about oil filers. I've used Fram for many years and have never heard that they could reduce oil pressure 20#'s from specs. Are there some tests somewhere that indicate different oil filters produce different pressures?.....Van
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Central California
are frams that bad?
Another good one to try if you're not too worried about the price (hey its about 2$ more tightwad, thats alot better than a rebuild) is Carquest. I switched to these after a fateful incident with an orange turd on my engine. I've found its a lot easier to spend the money on the nice filter after you've been hosed by a cheaper one.
I also will preach the pressure complaint about the fram. I also gained about 15# after switching to a different filter. No I don't have a study, but the way my truck knoked before and no more after is good enough for me!
I also will preach the pressure complaint about the fram. I also gained about 15# after switching to a different filter. No I don't have a study, but the way my truck knoked before and no more after is good enough for me!
Last edited by 73tank; Jul 28, 2003 at 05:54 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, Colorado
are frams that bad?
The Napa by my joint has a cut-out cross-section view of a couple filters. They're comparing theirs two a couple of other brands. Fram's one of them...Go check it out, you'll see the media quality isn't as good as the NAPA Gold, also as stated above, you can tell it would have better oil flow...
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
are frams that bad?
You guys make a good argument against Fram 
. You've made me nervous enough to change. Guess I've just been lucky for the last 20 years. Sure gonna miss that black ring to get a grip on 
Used Purolator prior to that....Van
. You've made me nervous enough to change. Guess I've just been lucky for the last 20 years. Sure gonna miss that black ring to get a grip on Used Purolator prior to that....Van
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: MIAMI, FL
are frams that bad?
check out www.bobistheoilguy.com this site will tell you everthing you would ever want to know about oil, filters, grease, tranny fluid diff. fluid.. he has done a oil filter comparison.. motorcraft filters are made by purolator .. FRAM USE CARDBOARD ENDS INSTEAD OF METAL ...