I'm new to this forum, and just picked up a beautiful 05' F150 5.4 3V. I've been pouring over this forum and notices some mention of "don't use this oil filter or use ONLY this one". I ran an auto parts store for 10 years in the 80's and sold mostly Fram and Wix filters. I was always told to stay away from the cheap filters regardless of how often you changed your oil. Some here have mentioned no Fram filters and I'd like to why, and what has changed if anything over the years? I know the Champ brand sold for about $1 each and that was what they were worth, nothing. Is the Motorcraft filter the choice now?

Brian

 

Yeah I dont know why not to use Fram ones but the popular choice is definitely the Wix or the Motorcraft FL-820S for our 5.4's.

 

I could be wrong so don't hold me to this, but I thought I read somewhere that the fram filters don't have a. Anti-drainback valve unlike the motorcraft to prevent oil from drain out of the top of the engine. I will only use motorcraft, I have heard good things about k&n filters and I used Mobil 1 filters on my jeep after I heard don't use fram...

 

the fram allows the oil to drain back down into the pan, so when you start up the truck it runs dry until the oil pump can get the oil back up there. the motorcraft has an anti drainback valve to prevent this. plus the fram filters use cardboard as some sort of anti drainback prevention but cardboard isnt going to do much. i read that ford recommends using the fl-820s because it has this feature to prevent damaging the cam phasers.

 

Fram as a cardboard Anti drain back valve.

I use K&N filter... Its like 13 bucks.. And has a nut on the bottom built in No need for a oil filter wrench taking the filter off...

 

The fram 'tough guard' filters have a silicon anti-drain.
I use Motorcraft in mine, next to the fram at walmart and same price, can't really go wrong there.
If you do a YouTube search you can find videos of guys cutting every oil filter known to man apart and showing you how there built and out of what and so on. I know fram has developed a bad name, and if i remember right Pureolator brand and Motorcraft were nearly identical.

 

fram is nono

 

Motorcraft. And motorcraft oil. Why pay more for amsoil or k&n when what it comes with and is supposed to have is cheaper anyways. Friends truck is over 225k still going strong. Just changed it every 3k like your supposed to.

 

motorcraft filter with motorcraft semi-synthetic is what i run, cant go wrong.

 

Thanks guys, maybe I'll stop in at the local dealer and have them do the oil change and take a look around a bit. I enjoy doing most of the work on my trucks, but I also don't mind a Ford tech's take on what he sees and hears.