So last night I was in Wally World and stopped by the oil filter section for a side by side comparison. They had three filters that would fit the 6.0 liter.

• Fram CH9549 Standard filter offered by Fram
• Fram TG9549 Upgraded filter offered by Fram
• Motorcraft FL-2016 / Ford 3C3Z-6731-AB OEM filter

I compared Motorcraft to the ToughGuard, and they were identical. Same height, same end plates, identical numbers stamped on the endplates, except Fram had added their part number to the ToughGuard filter. There was no notible difference in the two filters.

Then I compared the Standard Fram CH9549 to the ToughGuard. There is a clear difference. The endcaps are different. The height isn't the same. And the standard Fram has no patent numbers on it anywhere. In the past, I've found genuine Racor filter in CH9549 boxes, clearly that is no longer the case.

 

Those filters are not identical, I'm guessing the filter with the flat plate redcaps is the fram? It seems to me there is more support for the ends of the pleats, and I speculate there is more adhesive in the cupped end caps on the left filter. Which one is which?

 

Fram has changed up. If the filter has the patent numbers it's an older one and will work just fine. If there's no patent numbers and there is a bag with a couple of adapter/spaces in the box it's the newer one, don't use it. Better yet, stick with the Motorcraft/Raycor.

 

I dont care who has been using them for years, if it says fram or allied signal anywhere on the package it will not be installed on any vehicle of mine I had 3 separate instances where they did cause a problem.
First case: 1984 ford thunderbird 5.0 I was driving home from work and the oil lite popped on so I pulled over, raised the hood and there was nothing left but the front threaded part and the gasket ruined a 44,000 original mile 5.0
Second case:
1981 ford bronco 400m bought for parts because it had no oil pressure so I assumed the engine was toast but out of curiosity I spun the fram off and replaced it with a cheap purolator fired it up and low and behold 60psi oil pressure drove that bronco for 2 years after that. The fram filter on that one was brand new.
Third case
1985 buick park avenue, oil and filter just changed yet every time my customer slowed down or stopped the oil lite would flicker and the engine would rattle slightly so I removed another brand new fram and replaced it with an oem ac/delco filter and no more problems.
I cannot however say they have always been crap, I seriosly think they did something to them when they put that grippy black stuff on them because I had used them before then problem free for many years.

 

Interesting....

The old Fram box has a new hybrid style filter? The updated Fram box has the filter that requires the adaptor.

The Tough Guard Filter is an overpriced Racor.

Here is a pic comparing the old and new style Frams:



My local Walmart still carries the old OEM patent style in the old box.

Josh

 

That does it.
I'll stick with Ford or my local IH parts dept.

Sean