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Author
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Topic: Oil Filter
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FiveLiterDreamer
Journeyman Posts: 99
From: Conway, AR
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-29-2002 02:54 PM
   
Can someone explain to me why it is that 302's use different oil filter sizes. I rebuilt a '78 302 using an 80 truck block. The oil filters recommended for each engine differed. ('78 vs. '80) I wound up getting a filter for a '78. Also, the motorcraft filter for a '78 mustang 302 is a lot bigger than a bosch filter for the same '78 302 mustang. Anyone got any answers??
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IIGood
Moderator Posts: 2605
From: Arnold, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-29-2002 06:55 PM
I wonder this myself.I guess the thread hole, and the actual diameter is really the only "set" size for the filter. How long the filter is must be another story. Case in point: My '77 V6 filters. I used to use Fram (PH16), then decided one day to use the Ford Motorcraft filter (forget the size). So I bought the Motorcraft, and tried to put it on, but it wouldn't fit between the frame rail and the filter thread-on. So, I ended up using a Purolator. In comparing the 3 filters, the Motorcraft had about a half an inch more at the bottom than the Fram and the Purolator. I couldn't believe it...
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Frank S.----MCA Member 40390
'99 Mustang coupe
'77 Ghia--"II Good"
'76 Cobra--project
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The Cobraman
Gearhead Posts: 154
From: Edmond, OK USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-30-2002 02:12 AM
The II is supposed to take the FL300 Motorcraft filter, but the FL1A will fit if you hold your mouth just right.Size diff is probably like the bellhousing thing, all about speed and ease of assembly/installation.
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LXXVICOBRA
Gearhead Posts: 95
From: Central NY state
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-30-2002 10:18 PM
I don't ever recall the overall oil capacities on any of the 302's ever being less than 5 quarts. So, it always made perfect sense to me, to use the longer (and more readily available and cheaper) FL1A filter from the first time I ever changed the oil...and something I've continued to do for 25 years with no ill effect.
I guess I just figured the more surface area of filtration available the better. When the engine is running, it certainly doesn't care where the extra half quart is, as its always being circulated under pressure.
Always seemed to me, the use of a shorter filter was only a factory ploy to encourage owners to take their cars back to the dealer for routine service during the initial warranty period...perhaps implying the consumer had to use this specific "dealer" part to protect against voiding it. Perhaps too, it was in part some sort of cost cutting measure...and also because it was designed to facilitate the tight clearances found in the II's engine bay for future maintainence reasons(as Cobraman stated)
By the way...the long filter can be installed from either the top or the bottom on the 8..just takes a little practice either way!
Cobraman...my memory has faded, but for some reason I recall the short filter number possibly being 13, 16 or 17 (like the Fram #)???
II Good...maybe the reason you stated about the filter hitting the frame rail on the V6 was the reason all models ended up getting the shortie, even tho the V8 didnt have the same problem.. probobly a production and ease of assembly line issue (again as Cobraman stated)
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The Cobraman
Gearhead Posts: 154
From: Edmond, OK USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-31-2002 12:12 AM
Now I feel stupid...Just checked my '76 and '77 owner's manuals and they call for the FL1 on the 2.3 and 5.0.
FL300 on the 2.8. I swear the '78 o/m said FL300 on the 302, but it's gone and I don't have a '78 manual anymore  I've used the FL1(A) as long as I've had my '77 as well.
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FiveLiterDreamer
Journeyman Posts: 99
From: Conway, AR
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-05-2002 02:22 AM
I wound up buying the bosch filter over the motorcraft for 2 reasons. First, the motorcraft filter still had metal sliver/shavings where they cut the threads and secondly, b/c the bosch filter was heavier than the motorcraft even though it was alot smaller. I figured it had a denser filtration media and therefore filtered the particles out better.
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