Motorcraft filter....maf was dirty.

[97tbird]

I use a Motorcraft air filter in my 97 T-bird(4.6L), and the other day, I was trying to clean the Mass Airflow sensor(maf-sensor), and I noticed that the maf was quite dirty...
My air filter is about 1 year old; didn't look very dirty, just brownish.

[after I cleaned the dirty MAF with electrical cleaner, I noticed an immediate performance improvement, and it also got rid of the pinging that the car had, but if the air filter is not good, the maf can get dirty again...]

So, I'm wondering if this is a good air filter; what're your opinions about Motorcraft air filters?
are there better alternatives for this application?(I don't want K&N: makes the MAF dirty with its oil)

what can I do to improve the "seal" around the filter better, so that it sits better in the housing?

Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

 

[JohnBrowning]

When talking aftermarket air filters I like Puralator.To improve sealing you can use weather striping or grease.

 

[jsharp]

I bet it's a sealing problem, not a problem with the filter itself. As JB said, grease and or foam tape should cure it...