Oil Filters

[SantaFe66]

Seems I have created a bit of controversy by including the oil filter evaluations done by Mr. Knize. Of course, he bought and disassembled all the major filters and researched the history of them thoroughly. I doubt anybody on this forum has done that kind of exhaustive evaluation.

So, you can argue with the fact that they are his "opinions" but you can't argue with what he found objectively. Filter media attached with glued paperboard vs. metal, string binding the media so the glue can dry, all the other parts that make up the invisible insides of a filter. He exposed it for us to evaluate. My bet is most folks didn't read the whole eval. I learned some things I didn't know, among which was that a small group of manufacturers makes most all the filters. For instance, I didn't know that the Motorcraft FL-1 is made by Purolator and Fram's aren't made by Fram, they're made by Honeywell. I've been using the Wix 51515 on my car since I got it and it looks like a good filter from his eval.

I was concerned that most all filters by-pass filtration on startup of the engine when you need filtration the most (draindown, pickup from bottom of the sump where particles settle). Especially when you are using 20W50 oil. I was using Amsoil 10W40 in my 390 FE and it always made those dry noises at startup so now I am going to put a preoiler on my newly built 428 to prevent this. (Thanks Rick, I appreciate your persistence)

I think I will also look into the SS screen, reusable oil filters as well. They cost a bunch, but flow better and don't by-pass filtration at startup. Aircraft engine mfgs have been using an oil screen, not a filter, for years with the ability to check the screen for contaminants like metal particles to determe if you have something bad happening inside; so I would assume these reusables for cars have that additional benefit. Flow rates of the reusables are equivalent to the paper racing filters but still filter better.

I think the filter evaluation that Knize did was very informative, even though others here think the keyword "opinion" is a reason to dismiss it all. I sure as he11 wouldn't want to buy all those filters, cut them up, and write such an exhaustive article on that subject. I'm glad he did it and I enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot.

Paul