WTF oil filters?

[cdotson86]

I have a weird question. My father was changing the oil in my moms 07 ranger sport 3.0L. After he changed the filters, he noticed the old filter would not fit into the new box. After looking, the new filter is about a 1/2in shorter than the old one. All part numbers on the box, and on the filter matches up. The new, shorter oil filter fits on the truck, and everything seems well. Any ideas why the new Motocraft FL-400S would be shorter than the old one? This is perplexing. Is Ford doing this to save money?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

That's odd....

Of course, I haven't bought any new filters for awhile... Couple years ago I heard a rumor that wal-mart was going to stop carrying Motorcraft filters so I went an stocked up, lol. I probably have a 6-8 filters still sitting in my shed (FL-400s) and another 4-8 FL-1A....

 

[nitrofan1]

Diameter and length do not matter as long as the filter spins on and the flow ports are the same. Manufacturers go by their own specs with filter media, case size etc.... As long as you use a quality filter and do regular changes you'll be fine.

 

[exbass94]

Motorcraft recently changed the length of the FL-820S, and I believe they also changed the FL-400S too. I don't remember the reason, it may be cost-cutting, making the filter fit in new applications, or making it easier to fit in old applications, or a combination of the three.

 

[94STXRanger]

A lot of companies have been changing the size of their filters. I work at oreillys and we got info on it to tell the customers. Some lengths and widths have changed, which as stated above doesnt make any difference in their performance. A lot of the reason is fitment issues, like some chevys where a filter will fit on a two wheel drive but not a four, so thats why i suppose.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Alot of filters can be crossed used. (In Fram sizes), a 3614, 3600, 16, & 8 can be used on the same threads. And a 10060 can be used in a 2 thread. 3593, 7317, & 6607 in the same threads. So changing a filter size is not really a problem. It is just the room for it to fit thats the problem.

As for those Chevys. Always had problems with filters for those. But pretty much, you can always use a 3675 or 3506 for most of their Silverado & Colorado. Except the new ones that require 10060.

 

[babytruck]

i had the same thing happen. ford cut the size of the filters i dont know why maybe to cut costs and the older filters were plenty??? Anyway i went ahead and bought the last 2 tall ones at the parts store just so i had them on hand.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yeup, the FL 400S is a bout an inch shorter than the previous ones. I have not seen any difference in the FL 820S yet.

 

[adsm08]

Yeup, the FL 400S is a bout an inch shorter than the previous ones. I have not seen any difference in the FL 820S yet.

No, they changed the 820s too. I think they were changed mostly to fit new applications, but they seem to fit in to some older ones a bit better too now.

Its still the same old 400-s that it's always been though.

Also, for those who are interested, if you are in a pinch, you can put a 400-s in place of an FL-1-A.

 

[kunar]

i noticed this too, when i was looking for a filter for my g/f's car. they had both on the shelf, the taller ones and the shorter ones. also, the FL2005 was replaced by the FL400S, but thats been probably a year ago now...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

We just haven't used up our old stock FL820S's then. I'm betting they are shorter to better clear the lower rad hoses on the 09 and 2010 f150's (they rub on the rad hose)