AC Delco Ultragard UPF2 Cut Open (PH8A equiv)

[92saturnsl2]

This filter was used for about 4-5k miles (about 1 year of usage) on my 1985 Ford F-250 with 460 V8 engine. I picked these up at Rockauto on clearance, I believe they were made in the late 1997-1998, so it's old stock to say the least. I cut a new one open (they were only about $1, after all) and everything looked good, so I'll continue using them. I have about 14 left. Oil used was Chevron Delo 15w30, with various top-up oils used after the initial fill (truck leaks about 1qt./800mi. from the rear main seal).

Looks like a champ labs filter with a 100% synthetic element. Everything looked okay on inspection, but I'm no filter expert. What do you all think?

 

[Farmer]

I would totally run that in my '01 Dodge Grand Caravan, since that size is the oversize Ph16. Looks great. Is it wire backed?

 

[dishdude]

I remember these being nice filters back in the day.

 

[Run]

They certainly don't make them like that anymore. That is fine old stock.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: Farmer
I would totally run that in my '01 Dodge Grand Caravan, since that size is the oversize Ph16. Looks great. Is it wire backed?


Nope, no wire backing on this one. The filter media is the thickest stuff I've ever seen. In the new one I cut open, it looked like fiberglass. Probably no need for wire backing due to the stiffness of the media.

 

[ZeeOSix]

The AC Delco UPF filters are very good.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
I picked these up at Rockauto on clearance, I believe they were made in the late 1997-1998, so it's old stock to say the least. I cut a new one open (they were only about $1, after all) and everything looked good, so I'll continue using them. I have about 14 left.


You have 14 left ? That thing looks like it's been through a nuclear war.

 

[nwjones18]

I picked up one of these with one of my last Rockauto orders just out of curiosity. Thanks for the cut and post. I'll run with confidence.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
Originally Posted By: Farmer
I would totally run that in my '01 Dodge Grand Caravan, since that size is the oversize Ph16. Looks great. Is it wire backed?


Nope, no wire backing on this one.


Hummm ... I thought the UPF filters did have a wire backing ...

Here's what AC Delco shows of today on the Ultra Guard
http://www.acdelco.com/auto-parts/filters/speciality-ultra-guard-oil-filter.html

Says "Patented cellulose media" ... but thought when these first came out they were full synthetic, which I think then has a wire mesh backing.

 

[InvalidUserID]

I've got about 20-30 of these left that I run on my Camaro.

 

[dailydriver]

Does anyone have a current source for these in the longer 4.8/5.3 'truck' size vs. the shorter 5.7/6.0 LS1/2 size??

 

[Hessam]

I tried to sell some of these UPF2 filters for about $6 each on the board, and people said I was asking too much for them... now that someone does a cut and post, everyone is in love with these.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
Originally Posted By: Farmer
I would totally run that in my '01 Dodge Grand Caravan, since that size is the oversize Ph16. Looks great. Is it wire backed?
Nope, no wire backing on this one.
Hummm ... I thought the UPF filters did have a wire backing ...

Here's what AC Delco shows of today on the Ultra Guard
http://www.acdelco.com/auto-parts/filters/speciality-ultra-guard-oil-filter.html. Says "Patented cellulose media" ... but thought when these first came out they were full synthetic, which I think then has a wire mesh backing.
It certainly **looks** like wire backing and if memory serves these were synthetic media which would need wire backing.

OP - can you cut the media and see if there is wire backing to satisfy our curiosity?

 

[Hessam]

rest assured, these are wire-backed medium filters. it says so right on the box... but I'm not opposed to the idea of the OP going to work and tearing up the sythetic filtering media to satisfy the board's curiosity.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9592432@N02/16196548733/in/album-72157651360702355/

 

[ZeeOSix]

^^^ Looks like the older UPFs where full synthetic with wire backing, but the new ones of today are not full synthetic anymore (per my previous link) and not wire backed.

 

[Hessam]

I didn't know there were new UPF2's . I thought they stopped making these around 2008

 

[slacktide_bitog]

It looks good! I didn't know they made wire-backed synthetic filters 20 years ago! I like the red gasket, but too bad the ADBV wasn't silicone.

 

[901Memphis]

As long as the baseplate gasket isn't dry rotted they will last a long time since the synthetic media doesn't deteriorate