FRAM

Knowing that this is one of Petes favorite topics I thought I would add some insight.   The age old controversy of what oil filter to run brings to mind a story I will share. My first Lycoming airplane engine, a 290 c.i. flat opposed air cooled four cylinder, had NO oil filter at all. It came with a screen strainer that you would rinse out at every oil change Guess it was supposed to catch the bigger chunks. I replaced the strainer with a filter adapter. Airplanes can't just pull over if there is an engine failure. Kinda makes ya think. If we change our oil and filters in the boats at 50 hour intervals (some a lot less) then that equates to about around 1500 miles if we figure 30 mph. Is the brand really that important?? I know I try to buy the best filter I can but in reality is it that important in our environment?   
Too much to think about when I can't spend all my spare time on the water.   Come on spring.    

Pete, Also before detergent type oil too. The old oils did not suspend the gunk. It just settled into all the low points. Now it suspends and gets trapped in the filter. Or at least that is the theory.

My take on this is the short change interval that most of us use on our boats does not relate to the quality of oil filter we use. I don't see it as clean oil being filtered for the first 30-50 hours then oil becomes dirty and needs a better quality filter with higher hours. To me, from first startup after an oil change, I want a high quality filter with uniform filter media, flow, proper construction to prevent any collapse of media, etc.

I'm not saying we have to use Mobil 1 or K&N or Baldwins to have success, but if I question a brand's construction quality, or don't know who makes a no-name brand, I stay away from them.

Ahhhhhhhh the old reliable oil Filter discussion..... Winter has definitely set in. Come on Spring!!

Morfoot wrote: Ahhhhhhhh the old reliable oil Filter discussion..... Winter has definitely set in. Come on Spring!!

Haha! Bingo!
I may be mistaken, but I recall someone saying that they liked the orange color of the FRAM, matched his PROMO.

I used a purolator on MILs riding lawn mower (Kohler engine). The next change I noticed it was empty inside! The bypass valve must have been stuck open the whole time.

I think it's rather amusing that Fram (gets bad mouthed all the time on CCF) and Autolite (gets good press all the time on CCF) are both part of the Fram Group.

I used Fram filters for years until NAPA started putting theirs and Fram's dissected filters on their counters. Can't say I ever had a problem with a Fram filter though and some of my trucks went well over 200k and still had strong engines when I got rid of them. Great marketing on NAPA's part to steer people away from Fram.

Wait, engines have oil filters?

Ginger

KENO wrote: I The old Ginger or Mary Ann argument Somebody like Pete would probably have to be different and vote for Mrs. Howell

I too vote Mrs. Howell. She is old and rich. If you can hang in there a few years, Mr. Howell's Millions is now yours.

Jbear - Just leave it in he engine & it will change itself - into black goo!

I knew a guy that always bought new cars, ever 20K miles. Never changed the oil in any of them. He said they were running fine when he traded them in . . .

Amsoil is good 25,000 miles, not sure about that with a paper Fram filter though. NAPA gold is same as WIX. Amsoil filter is really soild metal casing in comparison you can wrench the hec out of it and never ever put a dent in it if your worried about a puncture ( I've tried) . Most of the better ones also have a anti drain back feature that does help on start up. Its all just $.

Not exactly, you don't change it or are in an extreme environment where you introduce dust or alot of moisture and/ or take it to periscope depth wear won't matter a bit. The quality of the oil and detergent qualities of it do help. But wear doesn't really come into play unless you let it run low or contaminate it(fuel or water) or run it hard on start up. Ring lands will probably wear out before the bearings so you won't see a ton of wear, unless it craps a lifter or valve then you'll be wishing you put that paddle in the boat. You can send in your own snake oil and have it analyzed for metals its pretty interesting what they find.

Many of the gas station private label oils are total junk and I wouldn't oil an irrigation sprinkler with them.