I went to my local Walmart today to buy some MotorCraft FL-820-S flters, & I see this new filter Box, & inside of it is a shortened MotorCraft FL-820-S filter? It's not alot shorter, but visibly shorter! It also does not have the Vintage "Ford Motor Company" writing on the side! I ended up grabbing the last 3 Old Bigger Style filters stuffed in the rear of the rack! I then also went to several auto parts stores, & stocked up on more of the old style 820-S sized filters, that were mixed in with this new sized FL-820-S filter?.....What gives? At least I have 20 of the old style "bigger" filters in my stash!.....

 

I'm surprised you aren't using Mobil 1 filters.........never mind, I forgot you are a cheap bastard..........

Maybe Motorcraft changed suppliers. I just hope it's not Fram now.

 

MOTORCRAFT OIL FILTER PRODUCT CHANGE FOR THE FL820S

The length of Motorcraft oil filter FL-820S (F1AZ-6731-BD) is being reduced, allowing for easier removal and installation.

There are no changes to the performance attributes of the oil filter.

The smaller filter size will also result in the pallet quantity being increased by one layer or 120 pieces.

The chart below provides a summary of the changes:

Motorcraft 820S

"Filter Specifications"

Current & New

Filter Diameter (in.)
3.78
3.78
Filter Length (in.)
4.04 OLD
3.72 NEW
Thread Size (mm / in.)
22 / 1.5
22 / 1.5
Anti Drain Back Valve Material
Silicone
Silicone
Efficiency @ 20 Microns (%)
80%
80%
Capacity (grams)
8
8
Burst Pressure (PSI)
200
200

 

The box says " New size, same performance".......

 

Reading the title I instantly thought the reduced size would be for ease of removal and installation, since it's a bitch!

 

. I literally almost pee'd in my pants!! Now that was funny.

I bet the Amsoil EaO11 ain't getting any smaller.

 

I'll bet the Wix isn't smaller either

 

What the heck?

Why would you make a filter smaller?!

Changing the size of the filter greatly affects filtering performance!

Personally, I've been wanting to do a filter conversion and run a larger filter on an extension adapter.

 

no if the filter material is still the same or more then you are getting better filtering.

 

As far as I know, all Purolator filters in the 24651 size (and some others) got smaller across all their lines. We use a rebranded Purolator at work and I noticed the change about 4-5 months ago. We also sell the Purolator brand up front to customers and I noticed the same change around the same time. Every Purolator made filter I've taken off a customer's car in the past few months is also smaller.

The Motorcraft filter is built and supplied by Purolator.

 

By the way, I haven't seen any customer's cars self-destruct yet using the new smaller size filter. I think everyone on this site (and several others I've been to) put WAY too much thought into what type of oil and filter they're using. Can't say that I blame you, I used to be the same way.

Once I started working in a shop and seeing people use el cheapo oil and filters and going 10k miles between changes with cars over 200k miles, I started using whatever oil and filter I could find on sale (as long as it meets proper specs), changed at the proper interval as stated in the owners manual. Of the 6 cars and trucks I personally maintain (family and friends) using this plan, we have a combined over 1 million miles and they all run the same as they did the day we bought them.

 

ive been buying from a local supplier.. harlow filter. they ones that make have the anti drain back valve but they are shorter and fatter so hold same capacity but they are easier to get off an on.

 

I see Ford's plan... they want everyone's engine to self-destruct for them to buy a new Ford. Generating insane amounts of cash. Since everyone's truck is running this filter, they figured it out that by making it smaller, it will clog quicker, thus inhibiting oil to flow properly and cause mass engine wear. Then the engine will self-destruct.

You see the plan? I'm a good psychic...

But on the lighter side...

I think it *might* not hurt anything, but I don't see how it makes it easier getting off. For me, the bigger the filter, the much easier it is to take it off.

 

In all honesty, I think the "easier to remove" is all a bunch of crap. If anything, it's now a bit harder to move cause you have to shove your arm or your filter wrench further up toward the engine to grab onto it.

I think the real reason they shortened it (and this is just speculation) is manufacturing costs. If they can make the same quality filter using less metal for the casing, that turns into more profit.

 

A shorter filter does not necessarily mean less filtering. As long as they can shove the same amount of filter media into the can, it doesn't really matter what size the can is, all other things being equal.