Mythbuster #777 Fram Oil Filters

Posted by fred kanter On 2011/6/20 16:23:00

In the Prewar forum there were several entries about the poor quality of Fram filters. I'm one who likes to get the REAL story so I do basic fact-finding and thinking on my own.

I also looked at the internet and found that in 2007 or so Fram did a small recall of some GM application filters. The general automotive knowlege of the posters left much to be desired as did their common sense. I'd put them in the class of members of the Flat Earth Society..

Wes and Randy, we do disagree. You "heard" of problems, I did research and also saw there were thousands of posts on the subject of Fram failures. Also saw a video of someone urinating on a Fram filter, obviously emanating from his brain.

There were hundreds if not thousands of posts lamenting the fact that Fram filters use paper end caps since being bought by Allied Signal thus the quality has gone downhill.

I researched and found that that Allied-SIGNAL bought BENDIX/Fram in 1983, almost 30 years ago. I just cut apart a NOS 1970's Fram filter AND IT HAS PAPER END CAPS, so the oft repeated statement that Allied cheapend the filters with paper end caps is FALSE.

I also have in stock a Fram Filter from the '50 which I can date as the box has an address of Fram Co, Providence 16, RI. Zones were dropped and Zip codes started in about 1960.
IT TOO HAS PAPER END CAPS.

So the issue of paper end caps is a red herring, or in the case of Fram Filters, an orange herring.

The paper end caps which overhang the OD of the pleated filter media were pointed out as the reason for "failure" of the pleated media when it "collapsed". NOte that the media collapses inwards. Metal end cap such as some other brands might help the media from going outwards but the only pressure is inwards. Metal end caps will do nothing to prevent inwards collapse.

On one of the videos I watched the presenter pointed out that the Fram filter was bad because it had aluminum chips deep in the pleats. The purpose of a filter is to catch the junk, this engine was in the process of disintegrating and the filter did its job. He does not know what he's talking about bu the does sound VERY serious.

In 2000 consumer Reports reviewed oil filters and found Fram to be the best brand. I'm sure there are better and I'm sure there are worse. Just like presidential candidates, none of them will cause the country to fail.

If you think I'm an idiot, I hope you didn't rely on someone else's opinion. Read my posts and get it from the horse's mouth...or the other end.

PS
Yes, Fram was owned by Bendix, the same Bendix that made the BTV. My 734 Speedster was owned from 1947-52 by the future Pres of Allied Bendix. The plot thickens...