Old FRAM on Shelf in Ace Hardware?

[CaptainBiggles]

I was at a christmas fundraising event and I was browsing through aisles and noticed an auto section. Naturally, mostly because of you guys, I figured I'd take a minute to see what they stocked out of idle curiosity. I didn't realize Ace had a house brand of oil - they do - and some mixed Pennzoil standard and synthetic options. Some Quaker State. And on the top shelf, a line of FRAM oil filters. But one stood out compared to the others.....I took a picture for, well, you guys. The one on the right of it didn't look like a spring chicken either. Not judging, just noticed the logos were different, if not appearing older. First time in my life I saw or experienced something that made me think "huh, the Bob forum dudes may get a kick out of this." It was dated 1991 on the back.

 

[fenixguy]

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that does that sort of thing. Now if you were a real trooper, you'd buy all three in that picture and cut them open to compare build quality through the years. JK of course, but that's a neat find. And

 

[JC1]

They obviously don't check their inventory and sell off the old stuff. You should point it out and buy it for cheap and cut it open to see what it looks like.

 

[benjy]

fram filters are not so good new, so older is not better!!

 

[CaptainBiggles]

Oh I have no intention of buying. Just thought it was interesting.

Originally Posted By: JC1

They obviously don't check their inventory and sell off the old stuff. You should point it out and buy it for cheap and cut it open to see what it looks like.

I was tempted to do THAT though.

Originally Posted By: fenixguy

And

Thank you!

 

[Nyogtha]

Thanks for the post & pic. Reminds me of the days when a O/FCI meant getting cardboard cans of SAE 30 and a filter with a clear plastic wi dow from Dad's stash in the garage growing up. Definitely before the days of Sure Grip coating, did you look to see if the case was smooth or had flutes at the dome end on that filter and the one beside it showing Allied Signal?

 

[PandaBear]

The store shelf cost is probably $200 from 91 to 17.

 

[SirTanon]

In my experience, the automotive stuff sitting on the shelf in most Ace Hardware stores tends to be pretty old. I don't think they sell much.

 

[CaptainBiggles]

Originally Posted By: Nyogtha

Thanks for the post & pic. Reminds me of the days when a O/FCI meant getting cardboard cans of SAE 30 and a filter with a clear plastic wi dow from Dad's stash in the garage growing up. Definitely before the days of Sure Grip coating, did you look to see if the case was smooth or had flutes at the dome end on that filter and the one beside it showing Allied Signal?

Cool memory. Neither had suregrip coating. Smooth dome.

 

[bullwinkle]

I cut open a PH8A from this era (actually slightly older) that had sat in my unheated/non-A/C garage for 20 years-it looked surprisingly good, could probably have been used.

 

[Kestas]

I've used a couple 20 year old Sears Spectrum filters my neighbor gave me. What's the worst that could have happened?

 

[HonorAndHonesty]

Our Walmart has an allied signal Fram in the clearance section, There was no price on it and I didnt want to be bothered to try to get one otherwise I would have got it.

 

[Lubener]

I would see if they would reduce the PH25 and put it in my old stuff collection.Those were from the days when nobody questioned the quality of a Fram filter.

 

[dlundblad]

Wasn't the paint a lot like the Fram racing filters? Nice and glossy. I barely remember them when I was a kid being a very deep orange. I always wondered why they were taken off, but didn't understand a new one went on either. Good memories. I realize they are just oil filters, but Fram uses a much more utilitarian looking paint nowadays. It protects the can for however long it was designed to be used.