I had read somewhere that people use a fuel filter from a Navigator.
Is this worth doing? or do I just go with the stock replacement?

Thanks, doing my first plug, oil, fuel filter change here soon.

 

98 Navi....you will need to open up the mounting bracket some because this filter plugs right in and is at least twice the size...

 

Why is the stock L one so small? It reminds me of my v6 camaro fuel filter...

 

Ok, thanks.
So, does it flow any better or is it that it is just bigger so that it theoretically will not clog as soon?

 

Don't think it flows any better but like you said will not clog as soon with more filtering media...

 

Don't know..have to ask the bean counters at Ford...

 

I have a feeling that if the filter is different than a regular f-150 then you should replece it with the original style. Bigger isnt always better, sure it may hold more junk, but it may not support the flow volume necessary for the larger injectors in the lightning. just a thought, not for sure. One thing Ford has always been good at is making something that works for the application it was intended, they dont just make one-fit-all, like Generic, I mean General Motors.

 

This one:

It is a bit of a pain to get in and out. I assume it would not clog up as quickly.

 

When it comes to fuel filters, bigger is always better.

 

the L fuel filter is not a high flow filter. i am pretty sure it is no different than the reg f150 filter. i would even confidently presume that thye navi filter flows better due to a larger filter media surface area. the main reason is to prevent the filter from being clogged easily. with that little filter, all it takes is one bad tank of gas.

 

...Just my two cents here, but I've seen different filter media material flow fuel at different rates and volumes. I'd seriously check and see if it is different from the regular F-150 filter just to prove if it is SPECIFIC to the Lightning. ..example, ever seen one of those little clear filters for a volkswagen? those things might flow more volume than one twice its size due to the type of material it is made of internally. bigger is NOT necessarilly better if it blocks flow rate due to a thicker filter material. I'd leave well enough alone, and replace the factory filter when it says to in the manual. It's up to you guys, but to me, it's more important to not COOK my engine by running it lean from installing a filter that doesn't belong in my fuel system just because its bigger and you THINK it will work better. Not really worth the few bucks difference. I say just replace the smaller one when it says to and you will be fine, and/or safer. BK, ..Ford and ASE Certified Technician

 

Just checked Advance's website part search and the search showed the same Purolator and Motorcraft fuel filters for the:

-5.4 S/C SVT Supercharged Lightning
-3 different 5.4 non-supercharged engines
-Lincoln Navigator

Purolator #F64711 (pictured in the post)
Motorcraft #FG986B

.........just an observation.......

 

the bigger one is for a 98 navi.

bwkelley,

i lost my stock motor to a fuel filter that only had 9,000 miles on it. it was clogged to ****, and the motor leaned out without warning on a wot run and popped. fyi, the service interval for a fuel filter is like 30,000 miles.

bigger is better if it is the same filtering media. if not, then it is really not a direct comparison.

 

Thats my point with the media issue. If the media is different then we are comparing apples to oranges. Sorry to hear that you lost one at 9k miles due to a clogged filter. I wonder if bad gas or maybe something else contributed to that because if it were a common occurance we'd hear about it on here for sure. I have 16K on my 2004 L, and have had numerous WOT passes without problems. I am definitely wondering how common this problem is, and if Ford has done anything to correct it if its common. I think I already know the answer to that though...LOL

 

the truck had 38K on it, the filter had 9K on it. it was probably dirty gas.

and some people have had problems on here, but mainly burning plugs and stuff like that. i know rob roasted a set from some dirty gas.