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This is interesting. Perhaps Ford and Subaru know what they're doing when it comes to filter design. My Explorer mounts with the OF base up and the Subaru filter mounts with the base down. The Motorcraft filter has the bypass at the base and the Subaru bypass is opposite the base.

So, it seems that other than certain Ford vehicles it doesn't matter much. My Ford Explorer also uses the FL-500S and my Subaru Crosstrek uses a filter with the bypass valve opposite the base plate.

My basic question is - are oil filters with the bypass valve at the base plate a better design than oil filters with the bypass valve opposite the base plate? My Ford F150 uses the Motorcraft FL-500S filter and it has the bypass valve at the base plate end. The majority of other filters I have...