mat in tn Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 I have read a comment here and there about whether motorcraft still makes the fl1a. but I have noticed that the last dozen or so I have received do not have the signature ribbing at the end yet have the series of flats like the Fram ph8a. I have been a stickler for using them for many years and I'm doubting their worth now. the main issue I have been having is failure of the anti-drain back. repeatedly on my flareside which I find interesting in itself. but also, on my 4.9. now the flareside gets the most miles by far. and in preparing for a road trip, I changed the oil last night. I did not spill a drop removing the filter. but that was only because in the half hour from getting home the filter was empty. not low, empty. this has happened numerous times and I can tell its failing when I start cold and lifters rattle till oil pressure is up. now I fill the filter, install, then fill engine. same last night. I DID NOT START IT. started this morning with zero rocker noise. this is how it seems to go. we will see how long this takes to start leaking down again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ifitaintbroke Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 I know at work I carry the fl1a, but maybe they're being made somewhere else now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salans7 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Last I heard, Mann-Hummel makes Motorcraft oil filters. I have also heard mention of runs of defective Motorcraft filters, like incompatible anti-drainback seals (too small) and missing bypass valves. I personally picked up a Purolator Air Filter for my Ranger, which was made by Mann-Hummel, and supposedly in the USA. Stamped into the side of the filter media was "Made In The UAS". If they can't even get the printing on the filter right, I'm not sure they can get assembling filters right either. I too have been a stickler for Motorcraft for the entire 13 years I've owned my Ranger but am weary of their future when it comes to quality filters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Interesting! Purolator makes, or use to make Motorcraft filters from what I've read. I've always liked Purolator and Motorcraft filters. Edit, that's right Shawn, I think I read Mann and Hummel were now making them. Disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 Interesting! Purolator makes, or use to make Motorcraft filters from what I've read. I've always liked Purolator and Motorcraft filters. Edit, that's right Shawn, I think I read Mann and Hummel were now making them. Disappointing. well, I am aware of the drain back issue. and it bothers me when I start my engine and it rattles. does not look good for the engine builder(me). but this time removing an empty filter after just driving into the garage 30 minutes prior is very bothersome. new ones have worked so far. but at this rate i may have do change it annually:nabble_head-rotfl-57x22_orig: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viven44 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 All I know is that the price of FL-1A tripled this past year at Walmart. Used to be $3, went to $9 overnight. Shelf sticker $3, it rang up as $9 at the register. They let me take a couple more at $3 when this happened. Just checked its over $12 now!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ifitaintbroke Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 All I know is that the price of FL-1A tripled this past year at Walmart. Used to be $3, went to $9 overnight. Shelf sticker $3, it rang up as $9 at the register. They let me take a couple more at $3 when this happened. Just checked its over $12 now!! Sounds about right. How long has it been since you bought a battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viven44 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Sounds about right. How long has it been since you bought a battery? I usually get my batteries at Costco, and Yes the price gouging is ridiculous. Fortunately, Size 65 is on the cheaper side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 All I know is that the price of FL-1A tripled this past year at Walmart. Used to be $3, went to $9 overnight. Shelf sticker $3, it rang up as $9 at the register. They let me take a couple more at $3 when this happened. Just checked its over $12 now!! I remember that... and the same day bulk-ordered Wix filters for $6 a pop (still burning through them, but I have two trucks and a boat that use the FL-1A size filter). Before that though, they were pretty much unobtainium at Walmart (when I found a couple in stock while out-of-state, I nabbed them!)... I guess Ford's supplier couldn't keep up and they had to change suppliers (and justify a jacked up price too apparently). No thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85pig Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 I remember that... and the same day bulk-ordered Wix filters for $6 a pop (still burning through them, but I have two trucks and a boat that use the FL-1A size filter). Before that though, they were pretty much unobtainium at Walmart (when I found a couple in stock while out-of-state, I nabbed them!)... I guess Ford's supplier couldn't keep up and they had to change suppliers (and justify a jacked up price too apparently). No thanks! I pretty much just use Wix 51515 now (Napa 1515), but was a die-hard FL1A guy for most of my life. I still have at least one full case of FL1As I got back in the mid-90s on the garage shelf. I'm loathe to use them, though, as I'm not sure how much they'd break down in a burning hot and freezing cold shop over 25+ years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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