Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth Oil Filters |
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The starting point - oil filter discussion
A mailing list member asked whether long oil filters, such as the AC PF2 or Fram PH-8A, could be used on a 2.5 liter engine.
Dan Stern's Response (Condensed) |
The long filter has the same internal valving as the short filter. The only restricting factor is that on some applications with the Chrysler 40/90 or 50/120 alternators, the long filter may not quite fit.
It's a "try it and see" operation.
The PH-16 is the "mid" filter. The PH-8a is the long filter.
Everyone has an opinion on who makes the best <insert name of part>, but the real-world evidence of the potential danger to your engine from using Fram (and, to a lesser extent, AC) filters is sufficient that you won't find such a filter within 10 feet of any of my cars.
After reading Matt Joseph's excellent article "Inside Oil Filters" in Skinned Knuckles magazine some years back, I bought and cut open several oil filters. Both he and I found some pretty nasty stuff inside Frams. He found twist-ties around the filter element (which under the pulsating pressure and heat, would almost certainly saw through the element in short order). He and I both found flaky rust inside the unplated filter "can". I found a cigarette butt in a place where it was evident it had gotten in there during filter manufacture! He and I both found sloppy glue jobs between the filter and its end caps, with gaps in the glue that would clearly allow unfiltered oil to bypass the filter....[more problems listed but cut]
The best-built filters I found were the [endorsement of Mopar Severe Duty removed due to changes in the filter since this was written] Hastings LifeGuard, and Wix premium (also sold as NAPA Gold). I will use any of these filters...
Important Update |
According to a recent, illustrated article at http://xoom.com/minimopars/ , the Mopar Severe Duty filter is now made by Fram, rather than by Wix. There was also a note on that page that Pennzoil filters may be Frams in yellow cans. It may be safest to stick to Wix, which manufactures their own filters, or Mobil 1 filters, which again are made by Mobil, rather than buying from a company (such as Chrysler!) that sticks their own name onto someone else's filter, and may change suppliers at any time.
At this time there is mounting evidence, based on comparisons by several people in both the US and Canada, that the Mopar Severe Duty filter - and other Mopar filters - are made by Fram and are not of high quality.
Note from S. Benson, ASE Master Tech |
I would like offer a comment to people asking about oil filters on Chrysler engines For those wanting to use a bigger oil filter then the standard small filter{NAPA # 1348} I suggest using the larger NAPA # 1085.
Webmaster note |
Those who do not have access to the filters mentioned here may wish to go with AC.
