PH16 alternatives - 07 Chrysler Pacifica 4.0L

[92saturnsl2]

Hi folks, my wife and I recently purchased an '07 Chrysler Pacifica with the 4.0L SOHC engine in it. We love the car, I'm about to embark on the first oil change. First order of business was to go through my filter stash and see if I had something comparable to the OEM PH16 (sorry, I know Fram numbers best, even though I avoid them like the plague). Turns out another vehicle, my pickup, uses the PH8A with is a substantially longer filter, same diameter, gasket, et al. I have a bunch of these. The only issue I can see, is that the filter on this car is completely vertical (a good thing for pre-filling), but I'm afraid a longer filter will jut down too far beneath the engine subframe, so as to present a road debris hazard.

Oddly enough the current filter on there is a PH3600 derivative (it's a Purolator, whatever that number might be). This is a skinnier filter than the PH16, but almost as long as the PH8A. No idea why that incorrect filter is on the vehicle, but it meets the specs, just looks awkward on the engine, I noticed it right away.

Should I give the PH8A a shot? I know it will fit, just sticks down there aways. Is there another filter that might be a happy medium between the PH16 and PH8A in height? I probably have some room for increased width if such a filter were available. I noticed a Ford FL-400S I have in the stash fits, but though it's longer (not as long as a PH8A) it has a smaller width. Curious to see what your thoughts are on this, I would prefer to use a larger filter than stock.

 

[mrsilv04]

2007 4.0 ... does that have a timing belt? Better check.

 

[goodtimes]

Mopar and Motorcraft have base end bypass valves. I would use one of those in the correct size. Makes sense to have base end bypass, not dome end, with your filter orientation.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
2007 4.0 ... does that have a timing belt? Better check.


Indeed it does, but I knew that going in and was able to lowball the price a bit further because the dealer had no service history. I found an old registration card in the glove-box and was able to look up previous owner on Facebook. Timing belt never changed (it has 130k presently), just as I figured. People are morons when it comes to maintaining vehicles-- when they're traded around 100k I assume the timing belt has never been done unless I can have certain proof/verification. I'm actually on Rockauto ordering t-belt, tensioner, water pump, etc. when I read your post.

 

[Chris142]

Ph8a,PH43,Ph16,Ph3600 and Ph3614 will all work.

 

[92saturnsl2]

The PH43 is a tad longer with the same width-- perfect happy medium between the stock filter and PH8A. Thanks for the help.