Motorcraft FL 1A oil filter cut apart

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I always notice that people refer to a brand and it's quality, but nobody acknowledges there are different levels of filters withing each brand. For instance, Fram Drive = cheapest to make and buy, Fram Force = one level up in quality and price, Fram Titanium = better quality, higher price, Fram Race - well, you get the idea. Same with Purolator, regular and "boss". Even the store brands have an economy filter and a "quality" filter. It's easy to see the difference if you compare the cartridge filters (they claim the filter material is the same within each "level"). The economy filter will be very thin and light paper, next level a little thicker and the high end filters seem to be more of a cloth type material (naked eye comparison = visual observation only). I didn't see anyone mention the real price king in any of this discussion either, the ulta expensive and evil K&N!
 
Big Red Mach 1 said:
While we're on the subject of oil, can I break forum etiquette and politely hijack for a moment?

Am I the only one who when he shuts down his Cleveland it sounds like there's a dang rainstorm going on in the oil pan? I've never had a car that is so loud with oil returning to the pan. I don't know how long it lasts, but it seriously sounds like it's raining in there. I've just never heard that on any other car I've owned, driven or worked on. It's pretty dang loud.
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That sounds a bit scary to me. If you hear the oil raining down like that it would indicate that your oil is staying in the top side of the engine, and draining down when you shut it off. If that is the case, you may be starving the pan of oil needed to splash on the lower end and cool the bottom end of the engine.

1) Are you sure it is oil, and not the radiator gurgling? Is yours an automatic, could it be the transmission instead?

2) If you are sure it is oil, I would try pulling the valve covers to make sure the rear oil return hole is not blocked by a gasket or a piece of oil seal from the valves. Possibly pull the intake to make sure there is no blockage in the lifter valley.

kcmash
 
kcmash said:
That sounds a bit scary to me. If you hear the oil raining down like that it would indicate that your oil is staying in the top side of the engine, and draining down when you shut it off. If that is the case, you may be starving the pan of oil needed to splash on the lower end and cool the bottom end of the engine.

1) Are you sure it is oil, and not the radiator gurgling? Is yours an automatic, could it be the transmission instead?

2) If you are sure it is oil, I would try pulling the valve covers to make sure the rear oil return hole is not blocked by a gasket or a piece of oil seal from the valves. Possibly pull the intake to make sure there is no blockage in the lifter valley.

kcmash
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Oh man. I posted that 2.5 years ago. Can't say I've heard or noticed that in ages. At some point after I joked that I hear it less now that there's less gas in my oil. But since then I've redone the intake, later swapped the intake, and went to the 15-40 that I've always used in every V8 I've ever owned. I just don't hear it anymore, but I certinly did right when I brought the car home.
 
Stanglover said:
So, I was going over some of the many articles online about oil filters. Most really do not relate to the equivalent of the Motorcraft FL1A or similar, but the information may be useful. There is so much that seems to contradict one from another and that just adds to the confusion. I guess it's take what is relevant to out cars needs and dump the rest except maybe for your daily driver.

Here are some links to articles I found interesting, but like I said, there is so much out there, you may want to look through for yourself.

10 Best Oil Filters (June. 2020) - Buyer's Guide and Reviews

Engine Oil Filter Study

3 Best Oil Filters (2020) - The Drive

The Best Oil Filters For Your Car (Buying Guide) 2020



Please add to or post your opinions.
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I like how he chose the high end filters for NAPA and WIX and the economy level on the others. I'd like to see a comparison of the "performance" levels of each brand along side the manufacture branded filters.
 
LloydB said:
I like how he chose the high end filters for NAPA and WIX and the economy level on the others. I'd like to see a comparison of the "performance" levels of each brand along side the manufacture branded filters.
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It's good to see newer members on the forum are using the search features.
This thread start as quick look inside a filter I had been using, just to see if any signs of contamination were getting through the filter medium. Fortunately there were no signs of any, but that was with only about 1500 miles of normal recreational driving over a one summer period.
Then of course members chimed in with their own opinions and thoughts, which is great and welcomed, after all, it's what makes us tick.
Without doubt there are better oil filters on the market. There are also some that are sold on hype alone, slick advertising, with no real substance behind their claims.
To this, I agree with you, a straight honest comparison at each level of performance would be most useful. Just because it cost more, doesn't mean it is better than lower cost alternatives.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal choice, what that person is comfortable with relative to the type of driving they do.
Thank you for your input.
 
Stanglover said:
It's good to see newer members on the forum are using the search features.
This thread start as quick look inside a filter I had been using, just to see if any signs of contamination were getting through the filter medium. Fortunately there were no signs of any, but that was with only about 1500 miles of normal recreational driving over a one summer period.
Then of course members chimed in with their own opinions and thoughts, which is great and welcomed, after all, it's what makes us tick.
Without doubt there are better oil filters on the market. There are also some that are sold on hype alone, slick advertising, with no real substance behind their claims.
To this, I agree with you, a straight honest comparison at each level of performance would be most useful. Just because it cost more, doesn't mean it is better than lower cost alternatives.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal choice, what that person is comfortable with relative to the type of driving they do.
Thank you for your input.
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My comment was directed at the embedded video. I'd hate to see what the store brands look like inside! We sell the local shops lots of store brand filters. Even they have two levels! None of the shops will risk putting the lowest rung oil filters on any diesel engines so that tells you something right there. (P.S. I'm not new, just had my previous ID banned for spam when I changed my password so I had to start over).
 
LloydB said:
My comment was directed at the embedded video. I'd hate to see what the store brands look like inside! We sell the local shops lots of store brand filters. Even they have two levels! None of the shops will risk putting the lowest rung oil filters on any diesel engines so that tells you something right there. (P.S. I'm not new, just had my previous ID banned for spam when I changed my password so I had to start over).
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Ah, I see regards being not new, so I guess welcome back.
It also seem like you are connected with the filter business, so your knowledge and input is valuable for sure.
What you say about that video pretty much sums up my thoughts too.
 
Stanglover said:
Ah, I see regards being not new, so I guess welcome back.
It also seem like you are connected with the filter business, so your knowledge and input is valuable for sure.
What you say about that video pretty much sums up my thoughts too.
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I've changed a bunch over the years LOL. I've been working part time at an auto parts store since I retired. You can literally feel the difference in weight of spin on filters and in the materials of the cartridge type. Most of the brands have a cheap crappy line, intermediate line and performance line. I'm one of those factory filter fans myself so I run Denso in the Yota, AC Delco in the Chevy and Motorcraft in the Ford. I do remove my Jeep from this line as I find that Chrysler makes some suspect junk so, it gets a WIX.
 
I used to work at a place called "Nick's T-Birds", where we did Ford Thunderbird restorations and repairs. One day, after work, I put my Mustang up on a rack to change my oil. Now, at the shop, we used only Ford Motorcraft filters, and here I was about to install a Fram. The Boss ( Nick ), gave me a bunch of grief about using a Fram filter. I said, "..what are you, some kind of a filter snob, 'cause it's not a Ford made part ?" He said , if you had Fram filter on there, before you throw it away, lets cut it open..., and lets cut open a used Motorcraft oil filter, I'll show you. Well, I played his game...not only was the Motorcraft filter better built, but I really remember measuring the filter's media paper. We cut the filtering paper out of both, and the Motorcraft had a good 30% more filtering area than the fram. Well, I appologised for my comment to him as, he proved his point. The Motorcraft oil filter is a better oil filter than what I was going to use. I have used a Motorcraft oil filter ever since. There may be better, or just as good out there, but the Motorcraft is pretty good.
 
Spike Morelli said:
I used to work at a place called "Nick's T-Birds", where we did Ford Thunderbird restorations and repairs. One day, after work, I put my Mustang up on a rack to change my oil. Now, at the shop, we used only Ford Motorcraft filters, and here I was about to install a Fram. The Boss ( Nick ), gave me a bunch of grief about using a Fram filter. I said, "..what are you, some kind of a filter snob, 'cause it's not a Ford made part ?" He said , if you had Fram filter on there, before you throw it away, lets cut it open..., and lets cut open a used Motorcraft oil filter, I'll show you. Well, I played his game...not only was the Motorcraft filter better built, but I really remember measuring the filter's media paper. We cut the filtering paper out of both, and the Motorcraft had a good 30% more filtering area than the fram. Well, I appologised for my comment to him as, he proved his point. The Motorcraft oil filter is a better oil filter than what I was going to use. I have used a Motorcraft oil filter ever since. There may be better, or just as good out there, but the Motorcraft is pretty good.
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same to me. 👍
 
ponypastor said:
Do the Motor-craft Oil Filters like this one, FL1 High Performance, fit most Ford motors?
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FL1HP is a direct replacement for the FL1A application.

When my distributor gear failed, I credit the Wix Racing 51515R with keeping the trash out of the oil galleys. I cut apart several filters during the flushing process and the Wix filters were by far much better constructed than the Motorcraft and the K&N I used. I currently have a Baldwin B2 on there, so it'll be cut open as well sometime this spring.
 
What are you cutting the filters open with? I've used an abrasive cutoff wheel. I have a exhaust tube cutter that loosely resembles the small tubing cutters commonly used for copper smaller steel lines. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite open large enough for the filter size we use.
 
basstrix said:
What are you cutting the filters open with? I've used an abrasive cutoff wheel. I have a exhaust tube cutter that loosely resembles the small tubing cutters commonly used for copper smaller steel lines. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite open large enough for the filter size we use.
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Obviously using anything that causes debris, like a cut-off wheel, can contaminate your findings. When I did my original "test", I simply punched a hole large enough to get the nose of my snips in, then hacked away. You need to cut rather than grind your way through the canister. Beware of very sharp edges!!
 
basstrix said:
What are you cutting the filters open with? I've used an abrasive cutoff wheel. I have a exhaust tube cutter that loosely resembles the small tubing cutters commonly used for copper smaller steel lines. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite open large enough for the filter size we use.
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I borrowed a Goodson filter cutter from work. It pilots off the center hole of the threaded cap. You can get cutters on Amazon for around $20.

https://goodson.com/products/fit-1-g-oil-filter-inspection-tool?variant=29264077254
 

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