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I am about to change the oil in my '66 and came across a Fram Filter (paper element) in my garage. I have read a number of articles about oil filters and it seems that the Fram oil filters are not highly regarded. Is there any reason I should not use this filter and instead get an AC Delco? Thanks
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I use Mobil1-302;excellent! NM *NM*
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Re: C2 Oil Filters
Depends on how old it is as construction has changed over the years - mostly for the worst. Most of the current oil filter construction evaluations (including a well known one on the Web) refer specifically to spin-on type filters.
My choice for PF-141 cartridge replacement is the Baldwin P18.
Baldwin is a high quality manufacturer of filters for the medium/HD truck trade and industrial applications. They have an excellent reputation for quality. Their HQ and main manufacturing plant is in Kearney, Nebraska, but I believe they now have a plant in Mexico, too.
The best source is a parts house that caters to this trade. Buy a case. They are not expensive.
Wix is a quality brand (Dana bougth them in 1979) . AC-Delco purchases their filters from outside suppliers, and their quality is no better than than filters made by the vendor and sold under different brands, but I don't know who the current vendor is for the PF-141.
If you obtain examples of various PF-141 replacements you can get a pretty good idea of construction quality by just visually comparing them. Most probably have similar filtration performance since modern filter papers are pretty much a generic item, and little cost saving is possible by using "cheap paper", but you don't know for sure unless you run it through all the SAE tests.
Bottom line is that if you buy a filter brand that is known for quality, and you know who actually manufacturers the filter, it's probably a good bet. Baldwin is a quality brand (though not well known among car enthusiasts) and they manufacture all their own brand products.
About ten years ago when Cosworth Vega air filters were getting difficult to find and AC changed the number, I obtained examples of Fram, AC-Delco, and Baldwin replacements. Being as how the same filter element is common to Clark Equipment forklifts going back to the 1940s, it's a commonly available part through retailer/distributors for the medium/HD truck/industrial equipment trade.
A simple visual inspection showed the Baldwin to be of more robust construction. In addition it fit the filter housing better than the Fram or AC.
It was a no-brainer.
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Oil Filters
Fleeguard is also a very good quality filter. The company is owned by Cummins Engine co.I have been to the factory and it is a top notch product. Even they do not manufacture all of thier part numbers though, they trade with Baldwin, Wix,Farr, Donaldson and yes even Fram.I know that a few years ago there were only 4 or 5 major filter companys and they all traded part numbers, no one tooled up for an entire product line, to expensive. They just trade with the competition! TomComment
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