Filter for 2002 Taurus w/Vulcan V-6

[Mike242GT]

Can someone confirm for me that a Motorcraft FL-400 is the correct filter for a 2002 Ford Taurus with the Vulcan engine? Is the equivalent Wix filter a 51516? Thanks for any input.

 

[Raven18940]

Is that the DOHC or the SOHC engine?

 

[Mike242GT]

Thanks for the info, Gary. Raven, I'm thinking it's neither; I believe the Vulcan is a pushrod engine, but I could be wrong - I'm a Volvo guy and know nothing about Fords, which is why I asked the question!

 

[Raven18940]

*shrugs* I know one takes a short and fat filter while the other calls for a tall and skinny one.

 

[dkcase]

When my daughter was shopping for a pickup, and we looked at a '99 Ford Ranger with that engine it looked like the oil filter was visible and accessible, no problem.

No problem until I tried to reach down and change it -- To reach it, my arm needed to be about 18" longer... What I have found is needed is to remove the filter from below; there is a funnel to catch the drainage that it can rest in while I return to the top and snake it around past the steering column.

THe FL400S is what it takes. I haven't tried to fit the FL1A in there; it's tight enough with the skinny can.

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, if it's a Vulcan you can tell by the conventional valve covers. Flat mating surface ..no cam sprocket hump. The 24v Duratec doesn't use a FL400S. The filter is easy to get to on a Taurus from underneith ..at least with the Vulcan.

Oil Filter 51516 V6 3.0L 183 CID TAURUS
Oil Filter 51372 V6 3.0L 183 CID TAURUS DURATEC

The Duratec uses this thread ..there can be no confusion.

Part Number: 51372
UPC Number: 765809513723
Principal Application: Ford Cars & Trucks (91-05), Mazda (00-05)
All Applications
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 4.167
Outer Diameter Top: 3.660
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 22X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 12-15
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes

Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.834 2.462 0.200

 

[thrace]

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15039

2000-2003
(182) 3.0 Vulcan (VIN: U)
OIL: FL-400S
AIR: FA-1630
FUEL: FG-1012 (With flex fuel, [Methanol fuel] FG-877)
POLLEN AIR FILTER: LEFT: FP-14; RIGHT: FP-17
PCV VALVE: EV-228B
TRANS: FT-130

2000-2003
(182) 3.0 Duratec (VIN: S)
OIL: FL-820S
AIR: FA-1630
FUEL: FG-1012
POLLEN AIR FILTER: LEFT: FP-14; RIGHT: FP-17
PCV VALVE: EV-243A
TRANS: FT-130

As to the FL-1A in the Vulcan, it would not fit in my '89.

 

[Gary Allan]

Yes, according to Wix the 51516 is your filter of spec. You should be able to fit a 51515 (FL1A) on it as well. That's what I do with my daughter's 91 Taurus with the Vulcan 3.0. The gasket and thread are the same ..just the can is bigger/smaller.

 

[Gary Allan]

As to the FL-1A in the Vulcan, it would not fit in my '89.


Was that in a Taurus? It didn't appear to fit in my daughter's 91, at first, but it does fit without any clearance issues

I have to thank an infrequent member, FL400S (his user name), for pointing out that they have the same size gasket and thread. I tried it, it worked. Greatly reduced my filter inventory.