orange3.9stang

In my opinion, the std. FL-500S filter is just too tiny for a 10,000 mile oil change interval.

I had previously adapted the full 1-qt size FL-1A filter to fit my '98 & '04 3.8/3.9L engines using a custom made spacer so I studied this new 3.7L filter mounting arangement to see what could be done.

The main issue is that the new Ford filters are using a metric 22MM thread and the old school filters are 3/4-16. Found an hydraulic adapter that had 3/4-16 on one end and 22MM on the other with a large hex in between so I bought one to see if I could modify it to work.

Test fit fitting "as is" to check clearance between the larger filter and everything around it and there is plenty of room. Closest thing is the alternator belt that is just over 3/4" away from the side of the can which should be fine.

To make it work, the large hex of this hydraulic adapter needed to be removed ... a little back-n-forth between turning the hex down on a lathe / test fitting on the car and I got it just right.

I've been using Purolator Pure One # PL30001 (FL-1A equiv.) for years and it has the same by-pass pressure as the FL500S (8 PSI), and probably has double the filtration capacity if not more.

Here are some pics ...

Ltngdrvr

Bigger filter can does not necessarily mean that the filter has a higher capacity. The newer filters use different media to increase capacity while making the filter more compact. Filtration capacity doesn't mean how much oil the filter holds, it means how much dirt the filter can trap before it becomes so clogged up that it forces the oil to bypass the media. The filter media in the newer style filter actually has more capacity than the older style filter.

Trust that Ford engineers have designed the filter to match the recommended change interval. They wouldn't spec a filter that wasn't up to the task.

orange3.9stang

I've already got a FL500S cut apart ... they've got as much media in there as possible, very tight pleats as Motorcraft filters always have had. I'll cut open a PL30001 when I change the oil at 20k and I'll let you know how much more media is in there.

As far as quality of filtration, the Pure One is right up there with the best and Mortorcraft is usually pretty high as well ... from what I remember, I think they are made in the same plant.

Doug

Ltngdrvr

There again, it isn't how much filter media there is inside, it's the type of material and how it is treated that makes the capacity to catch and retain the trash higher.

I took a very in depth training class presented by wix filters a while back, very enlightening to me.

SD CALSPCL

My question, on the 5.0, was why the filter that came with the engine, from the factory, was bigger then the Motorcraft replacement? I have decided to change the filter (FL500S) at 5000 miles or when the monitor tells me 50% of oil life is remaining. Probably a little ****, but the filter is cheap insurance.

orange3.9stang

I did my last oil change with over 11k on the odo and re-set the oil-life monitor for the 1st time and was still at 57% life. First change was at 1.5k, 2nd at 5k so this was really my 3rd change, but did not re-set it as I was curious as to what it would actually display once past 10k.

Doug

orange3.9stang

I'm in the hydraulics industry, so I understrand filtration pretty well myself.

From the limited specs available for the FL-500S, it has "paper media" but no mention of filtration ability. The FL820S (used on earlier 3.7L engines), also has paper media and is rated at 19 micron "nominal" with a beta ratio 2/20=12/25. Paper media is capable of better filtration than this, but not much.

The PL30001 element I'm using is 99.9% Efficient (absolute) at 20 microns ... an MSOE oil filter study done back in 1996-2000 stated the Pure One uses Synthetic Fiber media, however I have not seen this in writing anywhere else since. It would make sense though as I believe this level of filtration is un-obtainable with "paper" media.

As far as capacity, the 1996-2000 vintage PL30001 had 64 pleats and 400 sq-in of media. In a more recent you-tube video, the current gold textured PL30001 has 63 pleats and around 350 sq-in of media.

Anyway, I'm pretty confident that the Pure One PL30001 filter surpasses the FL500S in both filtration efficency and contaminant holding capacity.

I'll count the pleats and get an estimated sq-in of media on an FL500S when I get back to work next Monday.

Doug

orange3.9stang

I noticed my O.E. "factory" filter was bigger and construction was way different than the Motorcraft FL-500S replacement too.

According to this thread ...
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...1250005&page=1
... Champion Labs makes the filters used on the assembly line and Purolator makes the Motorcraft replacement filters.

Doug

orange3.9stang

Just realized I never tossed the assembly line filter, so I lined it up with an FL-500S and the PL30001 to show the size differences ...

FL-500S: 4.090" H x 2.942" Dia.
Assy Line: 4.550" H x 2.970" Dia.
PL30001: 5.140" H x 3.780" Dia.

Ltngdrvr

I just don't think you are really gaining anything after going to the trouble of making the thread adapter and all, just not worth fooling with IMO.

orange3.9stang

All the mods you've done to your '04, I'd think YOU would be one to appreciate this sort of thing more than others.

It was actually quite easy compared to making the spacer & Male-FM adapter to mount this same filter on the old 3.8L (see pics). I ended up making only 3 of these and my '98 & '04 still have them installed with no problems in over 350k of driving (both still on the road).

This spacer was orginally "dual purpose". Not only did it allow the bigger dia. element to clear the 3.8L pump housing, but the added gauge port "before" the filter allowed me to check the pressure drop across the filter (there is a 3/4-16 mfg. port in the pump housing for the after filter PSI).

I added a 12VDC hydraulic 3-way solenoid poppet valve and ran this to a mechanical pressure gauge mounted in an a-pillar gauge pod. Next to the gauge I installed a momentary push button so I could energize the solenoid to read before & after filter pressure on the SAME gauge. What I found out was some filters had such high pressure differential (PSID) that even a clean element by-passed during cold start (FRAM was one). Once I figured out the best filter to run (Pure One, Mobil 1, K&N, & Wix were all good), a push of the button every so often would show me the PSID across the filter ... as long as it was less than 75% of the By-Pass when warmed up I was comfortable running longer on an oil change.

Never bothered swapping all the plumbing & gauge into the '04, as having the set up on the '98 for 100k+ miles I now knew the Pure One filter was no problem up to 10k miles on an oil change.

Doug

Ltngdrvr

No, perfectly satisfied with the filter recommended for my car, have no interest in going to any trouble of changing it over for no real benefit that I can see. I keep the oil changed with Mobil1 and motorcraft filters at about 7500-8000 with a filter only change in the middle of that interval and the inside of my motor is plenty clean after almost 105K miles.

But hey, if this is what trips your trigger then have fun!

One other thing, looking at the pics of the different filters, it does look like the small filters have the synthetic anti-drainback but the big one doesn't, is that the case?

orange3.9stang

They are all silicone ... just more reddish than the orange of the other two.

Doug

Glenn

Well I like the idea of more oil capacity. Nice work!

orange3.9stang

Just a re-hash ...

Have been running the big Pure One PL30001 element for 4 weeks / 1640 miles and all is well.

Benefits from this big filter vs. FL500S:

1) Holds 1/2 qt. more oil

2) Has 2.5 times the filter area (350 vs. 136 sq-in of filter surface area)

3) Has "Synthetic Fiber Media" that is 99.9% efficient @ 20 microns
vs. "Paper Media" which at best is 75% efficient @ 20 microns

4) As the Motorcraft FL-1A filter is one of the most common elements out there, there are MANY quality filters much more readily available that interchange with it (vs. the new FL-500S):
Amsoil # EaO15
Royal Purple # 30-8A
K&N # HP-3001
Mobil 1 # M1-301
WIX # 51515

Anyone interested in one of these adapter fittings send me a PM.

Guessing I can make them for $20~25 each delivered.

Doug

3Mach1

57 percent left with 11k miles? I understand how the olm works but I thought it would trip at 10K or 1 year as a maximum situation. Keep us updated as to when this thing actually tells you to change the oil. Where are you at miles wise now and what is the olm saying? If I remember correctly you do a lot of road driving because you get excellent gas mileage.

Sooner or later somebody is going to run the olm down to zero and get a analysis done and then we will see just how good it really is. Out of curiosity how much do you pay for the purlator filters? I think its a bit of over kill personally but I can understand a man trying to protect his engine the best he can. Filters keep getting smaller for what ever reason.
By the way I think Champion is who makes Ac Delco filters. My car came with the gray one but it was the same size as the Fl820 but its an older Mustang.

jlc41

Hey Doug, nice work. When I get my stang I will definetly see if I can get your adaptor. Clean oil is the life blood of any engine.

Joe

orange3.9stang

Just made a batch of FIVE of these adapters.

$29.00 each including USPS shipping in a padded mailer to the 48 states.

Anyone interested in one send me a PM.

Doug

vector006

Ford Service has a threaded nipple adapter for going from 22mm to 3/4": XL2Z-6890-AA $15

David Young

Maybe now, but not 5 years ago