Undersized Ford 4.6 filters

[gfh77665]

I learned something new today. Doing the first change on my sons 2001 Grand Marquis, I had a MC 820 on hand ready to go. Then I saw a small filter on the underside of the engine. Confused, I did a net search, and found this: http://www.f150forum.com/f6/oil-filter-question-190022/ (see pics) Apparently quick lube places will sometimes use undersized filters for the 4.6's, but the 820 IS correct. Maybe this is common knowledge to many here, but it was a surprise to me.

 

[bullwinkle]

Yeah, the VIOC guys use that VO-105 on my '12 E-250 in my sig. ADBVs on them are garbage, too-use the MC.

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665

the 820 IS correct.

The MC FL820S is not only correct, it's the best value-for-money for a Ford modular motor...

 

[DSparks]

Most oil change places you will find the smaller filter...same thing just smaller and if it means less to stock the better....do i like it no...its just a space thing on certain applications but its the same engines so i wouldnt worry much..i bought a used 07 f150 5.4 about a month ago...opened hood and it had the little one on it..less than 20 miles on it going by the window sticker....kinda cringed but its still on it and i sleep at night....its a pz-173..think the newer cross is a fl-500...

 

[Colt45ws]

Yeah they do that so they don't have to stock as many filters. They whittle their filter stock down to bare minimum, using the smallest filter in a given filter series for everything.

 

[javacontour]

If you have a Thunderbird with the 4.6, that smaller filter might be a better choice. The FL820S was a bear to get in and out of there in that car.

 

[MNgopher]

Ran into that when I bought my used 04 F150 with the 5.4. Had the PZ-173 on it. A trick by the oil change places to reduce their needed inventory. How having the FL-820s size wouldn't make sense is beyond me - not like its an uncommon filter, but what do I know...

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher

Ran into that when I bought my used 04 F150 with the 5.4. Had the PZ-173 on it. A trick by the oil change places to reduce their needed inventory. How having the FL-820s size wouldn't make sense is beyond me - not like its an uncommon filter, but what do I know...

How many non Ford vehicles actually spec the equivalent of the FL820S to make a small universal fit filter worthwhile. I think it's that the small filters can be installed in Ford's tight filter area faster than the FL820S can. Time is money to quick lube places. And less media is usually less expensive, more money saved. If you can't do it yourself bring it to a facility that will use your supplied oil and filter or go to the Ford dealer, they're usually cheaper compared to fast lube places. Whimsey

 

[itguy08]

According to Fram, the FL820s crosses to these: Competitor Cross Reference Competitor Name Competitor Part AC-DELCO PF1250 AC-DELCO PF1250CL AC-DELCO PF1250FCL AC-DELCO PF26 ALLIANCE ABP/N10G-LF3681 AMSOIL ASF11 AMSOIL EAO11 ATLAS F-20 AUTOEDGE AL2 Autolite for Oil FIlters AL2 AUTOPAR FE336 BALDWIN B329 BIG A 92372 BOSCH 3410 BOSCH 72212 CAM2 C4651 CANADIAN TIRE 17-1738-2 CARCARE IOF2 CARQUEST 84899 CARQUEST 85372 CARQUEST B4651 CASITE CF110 CASTROL CAS2 CENEX CO820 CHAMP PH26 CHAMP PH820 CHRYSLER 4884899AB CHRYSLER 5038041AA CITGO C4651 CROSLAND 2010 DEFENSE DL2 DELPHI FX1008 DENSO 150-1014 DEUTSCH D407 DONALDSON P550965 ECONO LUBE L24651 EVERGARD E4651 FILTERS INCORPORATED OF2 FIRESTONE TF4651 FIRESTONE TF-4651 FLAG C-2 FLEETGUARD LF16002 FLEETGUARD LF16214 FLEETGUARD LF3681 Flying F PH2AZ FORD F1AZ-6731-A FORD F1AZ-6731-BD FORD FL 820 GENERAL MOTORS 19160693 GENERAL MOTORS 19160696 GENERAL MOTORS 89017527 GONHER GP68 GOODYEAR L4651 GRAND PRIX PH820 GREASE MONKEY GM24651 GREASE MONKEY GM4651 GROUP 7 V4651 HASTINGS B329 HASTINGS LF110 HASTINGS LF110F HASTINGS LF612 HAVOLINE T-36 HENGST H10W18 JIFFY LUBE HL2 JIFFY LUBE JL4651 JIFFY LUBE L24651 K & N HP-2010 KENDALL K29 KRALINATOR L320 LEE LF-820 LUBER-FINER PH26 LUBER-FINER PH820 MANN & HUMMEL ML 1006 MANN & HUMMEL W920/16 MAZDA AJ04-14-302B MAZDA AJ57-14-302 MAZDA AJTM-14-302 MAZDA GY01-14-302B MECHANICS CIRCLE MOF 2 MERCURY 35-877761K01 MICROGARD MGL2 MIGHTY M4651 MILEGUARD MO2 MOBIL M1-210 MOBIL MO4651 MOPAR FE00336 MOPAR MO-899 MOTOR TREND ML2 MOTORCRAFT FL 820 MOTORCRAFT FL 820S NAPA 1372 NAPA 7899 PARTS MASTER 61372 PARTS MASTER 67899 PARTS PLUS PH820 PENNZOIL PZ-42 PERFORMAX PO-42 PERFORMAX PO-42 PHILLIPS 66 PO1372 POWER FLO SL24651 PRO/GAUGE PGO-4651 PROMOTIVE PH2500 PRONTO PO-2 PRO-TEC 159 PUROLATOR L24651 QUAKER STATE QS2 ROCKHILL 61372 ROVER 4137784 SECURITY SO-820 SERVICE 1 OF4651 SERVICE PRO M4651 SHELL SH36 SILVERLINE 21372 STP S2 SUNOCO O-35 SUPERTECH ST2 TRUST PH820 UNOCAL PF820 VALVOLINE VO105 VALVOLINE VO47 WALMI WS-2 WARNER PH820 WIX 51372 WIX 57063 WIX 57899

 

[gfh77665]

The one I took off was a "M500", whatever that is, LOL.