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Hi

I'm planning crank case oil change on my 745. I dismantled the Purolator case and found that the conversion has been done inside to accept a modern filter.

The filter fitted at the moment is a Fram PH43 unit. This is not readily avaiable in the UK and I've seen very bad reports over the quality of these units.

It occurs to me that most filters for automotive use are 3/4" x 16 UNF thread with 2 1/2" diameter so in theory I could buy any brand from my local motor shop.

However, it does depend on filtration rates, capacity (the Fram unit seems much smaller than original) and bypass pressure setting.

The Fram unit is much smaller than the original Purolator in terms of volume. Presumably this would affect crank case pressure? The pressure is a healthy 40lb. Is this related?

So what would you recommend?

Thanks

There are more differences between oil filters than the thread size, do not interchange just on that spec. YOur car has 3 1/2" pistons ans so do 53 Packards, they do not interchange.

Fram brand PH43 problems?? Fram is a premium brand , has been in business 60+ years,, internet search show not problems.

Suggestion, buy and install a PH43 or interchange equivalent, reward yourself with a few pints sober up nad go for a ride in the country.

Well Fred, you and I disagree. I have read several reports of Fram filters failing. It seems they have gone cheap in the last decade. Purolator is generally considered to be a better filter as far as materials and construction. As kts68 has already had his filter modified to accept a more modern filter, I would go with a modern Purolater or other brand.
I can recommend Royal Purple also. I am not sure of Motorcraft. If a Honda would fit, I wouldn't be afraid of it either.
But we can agree to disagree - civilly.

I've also been discouraging the use of Fram, they are no longer the product they once were. Wix comes highly recommended.

I have no axe to grind personally with Fram. I only asked for alternatives because they are hard to get hold of here in the UK. I've never heard of Royal Purple or Wix either. Honda dont supply filters in the UK either, neither do Purolator.

The point of my post was to get advice on what alternatives are best. I know they are not automatically interchangable just because the thread is the same size - thats why I'm asking.

I can get Motorcraft filters - I will look to see which one is similar to the Fram unit. Others might be K&N, Bosch, Coopers.

As I said, I know nothing of Fram. In searching for a UK supplier I found the following post on another forum.....

"I worked for two years as the oil-filter production line engineer in
an Allied-Signal FRAM facility and I can confirm every bad thing you
have said about FRAM automotive filters. That's from the horse's
mouth, as it were.

I'm also a quality engineer and can confirm that FRAM applies no
quality control whatsoever to any of the characteristics for which we
buy oil filters. I frequently saw filter designs which were barely
capable of meeting J806. Many of FRAM's designs will block and go to
bypass after trying to filter very little contamination. There were
often leakage paths at the paper end discs when these were not
properly centered on the elements. Some designs had the pleats so
tightly packed against the center tube that they would block off in no
time. I had discovered that the FRAM HP1 that I had been buying for
about $20 Cdn was EXACTLY the same as a PH8 inside - the only
difference being a heavier can - no advantages in flow capacity. The
paper filtration media was of apparently poor quality and the process
of curing the paper resin was very inconsistent - elements would range
from visibly burnt to white. FRAM's marketers admitted that there was
just about no way the public could ever prove that an oil filter
contributed, or did not prevent, engine damage. The only thing FRAM
tested for was can burst strength. Another problem that they have from
time to time is in threading the filter base - often there are strands
of metal left behind on a poorly formed thread.

I have not used a FRAM filter since I started working there. Their
claims are entirely and completely marketing bullshit.

If people really want to protect their engines, a good air filter is
vital (which excludes FRAM from that list as well) and a combination
of one depth and one full-flow hydraulic filter, together in parallel,
will do the job of filtration to perfection.

Thanks for doing a great job in trying to get the truth out! You can
quote me anytime. "

Wow. Interesting post.

Here's a link to Wix.
http://www.wixfilters.com/

WIX is a well-known brand here with a good reputation. They use the same numbering system as NAPA.

I have no way of knowing if FRAM has improved their quality, but they were historically thought of as very poor filters, I'd never use one.

I've been looking some more online and it seems Fram gets a thumbs down from most quarters!

The MG crowd having nothing good to say about the Fram PH43 which is commonly fitted to the Rover V8 engine (Buick unit). They say the pressure valves are nearly always faulty and cause odd oil pressure readings.

So I still need an alternative. Could anyone tell me the corresponding references for other brands.

Ideally I'd like Champion or Bosch - the best European brands

As O-D has written, WIX makes filters for NAPA. Have been buying NAPA filters for the Packard for quite some time. Easy to get and WIX is among the best.

NAPA must be something American. I dont even know who or what it is or what it stands for. It doesn't exist in the UK.

I have no idea what NAPA references are.

I have never heard of Wix either.