Do any of you run an over sized oil filter? I have an 01 Ranger with the 4.0 SOHC engine. Would you run say an FL-1A instead of an FL-820s? I've heard of people doing this, and wonder what the benefits/risks are. If you do increase the filter size, do you need to add oil to compensate for the larger canister? I currently use a Mobil 1 M1 210, but wold switch to the M1 301 if it was beneficial. Thanks for any info!

 

If your engine is spec'd for the FL820S oil filter, as I believe it is, then it uses metric threads for the oil filter. The FL1A filter does not. You will screw up big time if you try to use the FL1A.

Whimsey

 

As whimsey said, the 820 is metric thread and the FL-1A is inch standard.

Why the bigger filter need to maybe gain .5 qt capacity? While I assume you maybe out of warranty but did you know if you put a non-application specific filter on your truck and have a filter related failure that does damage to your engine, the filter manufactuer will have ground to deny liability? Very few car applications benefit from a larger filter to replace the original called out by the manufactuer.

Hootbro

 

The Wix catalog only lists a handfull of filters with the same thread as your filter. I did find one that is the same diameter, same gasket size, and about 1.5 inches longer.
The FL820s translates to a Wix 51372:

Part Number: 51372
Principal Application: Ford/Lincoln/Mercury (91-06), Mazda (00-06), Cadillac STS-V, XLR-V (06)
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 4.167
Outer Diameter Top: 3.660
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 22X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 12-15
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=12/25
Burst Pressure-PSI: 275
Max Flow Rate: 11-13 GPM
Nominal Micro Rating: 19
Gasket Diameters
O.D. I.D. Thk.
2.834 2.462 0.200

The longer filter is a Wix 51087:

Part Number: 51087
Principal Application: Ford European-Dorset Engs.
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 5.477
Outer Diameter Top: 3.661
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 22X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 19
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Burst Pressure-PSI: 355
Max Flow Rate: 11-13 GPM
Nominal Micro Rating: 24
Gasket Diameters
O.D. I.D. Thk.
2.834 2.462 0.200

There was one other, but it had about the same bypass setting, was shorter, and had a thicker gasket.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that the setting for the pressure relief valve in a filter is designed for the engine it's suppose to be on. Putting the wrong filter on an engine could either put it into permanent bypass or rupture the filter media. The bypass, capacity, and flow specs should match the original.

 

Are you sure. The relief valve on the oil pump is designed for the engine, but the bypass valve in the filter is more likely designed for the filter. I have seen varying bypass valve pressures for the same application across different filter manufacturers.

 

Relief valve in the filter is for safety if the filter becomes plugged the relief valve opens and unfiltered oil bypasses the filter element and goes to the engine bearings. Without a relief valve in the oil filter if the filter becomes plugged the flow of oil back to the engine bearings will decrease and could result in engine failure. Some engines have the relief valve built into the mounting base that the filter screws onto and some are built into the filter.

 

Its almost impossible to clog an oil filter. And, if you do, you have other issues. The filter is the least of your worries.

The filter bypass serves to maintain oil flow. It is media type, media flow, media strength, oil weight, oil flow, oil temperature, and numerous other variables, dependent.

I see no reason why the 51087 can't be used in place of the 51372.
That 22mm thread size is pretty rare.
If you really want more oil capacity and filtration, consider using a single or dual remotely mounted filter using 51515 or 51773 sized filters.

 

Most remote filter bases are set up for the very popular Ford filter, there are some kits that use the Chevy. The main difference (other than thread size) is a by-pass in the Ford filter and none in the Chevy (theirs is in the block).

So anyone looking to add a remote filter, or filters, is going to use the same filter with a by-pass built in to it (Ford version). A very safe set-up. Some manufacturers sell a transmission fluid filter kit that uses the same base and Ford filter.

Ford trucks even show a two quart spin-on filter, so if you ran a dual remote base you could have as much oil in your filters as you still have in your pan...

 

No ill effects going to bigger filter as listed above?

 

Take a look at the Micron ratings (nominal micro) as listed for those two filters above. They are not the same. The large one doesn't filter out as small a particle.

How much does that concern you? For me, it would be a deal breaker unless I was running a secondary bypass filter as well to catch the smaller stuff.

 

77 250 there could be that much difference in 2 filters of the same sizes and brand.
Key words nominal micro.

 

I'll admit my ignorance here and say that my experience is with industrial filters, not automotive applications. Anytime I've seen nominal filter ratings, they have been a result of the deliberate differences in construction, not in normal variations between any two filters.

Put differently, it's been a rating, not a tested value.

The filter with the higher micron rating could be for an application where flow is more important than filtering. Since those two properties are related to each other, sometimes it's better to let the smaller particles past and keep your flow rate up.

Anyway, Not sure if I'm explaining myself very well. Soneone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

If the real concern is the micron rating you should add a by-pass filter to the system. That should alleviate some of the concern with the primary filter.

 

the taurus is supposed to run a 400-A, ive ran a FL-1A on it from the day ive owned it, and 6 years and 70,000 miles later have had no issues. its a little tight between the filter and radiator, but still manageable. plus now the capacity is 5 qts instead of 4-1/2