I couldn't find anything much about alternate filters for OPE, EXCEPT that you can use almost anything that fits. Well, I dunno, and I'm certainly no expert, but here goes some questions. I couldn't find the specs on a typical B&S filter, but if you cross reference it, you get a Wix 57035, for which specs are readily available. Ok, here we go
Wix 57035 Wix 51348
Full Flow
height 2.305
Outer dia 2.923
Thread 3/4-16
Bypass setting 8 PSI By-Pass 8-11 PSI
Anti-Drainback yes
Beta ratio 2/20=20/41 Beta ratio 2/20=6/20
Burst 275 PSI
Max Flow 7-9 GPM Max Flow 7-9 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating 32 Nominal Micron rating 15
OK, now a short explaination. None of these specs are all that different from the much cheaper Wix 51348, Fram PH3614, etc EXCEPT nominal micron rating, and whatever Beta Ration means. Turns out nominal micron rating means the filter can trap 50% of particles 32 microns in size (there is also an absolute micron rating which would mean it could trap 99% of a certain size particle, but I'm confusing the issue).
The Beta ration 2/20=20/42 is a rediculous code for saying 2 micron is caught 20% of the time, and 20 micron is caught 42% of the time. Why didn't they just say that???
Now, to save money, most of us use a Wix 51348 or Fram PH3614 or similar filter, with pertinent specs to the right of the 57035 above. Everything else being the same, we can see that both filters are operating around 8 GPM @ 8 PSI, the only real difference is the filter efficiency. The larger filter would have more surface area of filter paper, and we can say that it is less efficient at filtering small particles, even though it has a nominal 15 micron rating. Now that's the part that's hard to understand, it catches 20 micron particles 20% of the time, but it catches it's nominal rating of 15 microns 50% of the time, go figure?? By the way, I double checked those numbers.
So, the argument that some make to only stick with the original equipment filters doesn't seem to hold any water at all in terms of filtration. You're not over working your oil pump in a small engine, and you're not really getting any better filtration efficiency either, so it's a wash. I'd use whatever is cheaper.
Anyone see any error in my judgement? Am I misunderstanding some of these specs?
Your thought?
Wix 57035 Wix 51348
Full Flow
height 2.305
Outer dia 2.923
Thread 3/4-16
Bypass setting 8 PSI By-Pass 8-11 PSI
Anti-Drainback yes
Beta ratio 2/20=20/41 Beta ratio 2/20=6/20
Burst 275 PSI
Max Flow 7-9 GPM Max Flow 7-9 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating 32 Nominal Micron rating 15
OK, now a short explaination. None of these specs are all that different from the much cheaper Wix 51348, Fram PH3614, etc EXCEPT nominal micron rating, and whatever Beta Ration means. Turns out nominal micron rating means the filter can trap 50% of particles 32 microns in size (there is also an absolute micron rating which would mean it could trap 99% of a certain size particle, but I'm confusing the issue).
The Beta ration 2/20=20/42 is a rediculous code for saying 2 micron is caught 20% of the time, and 20 micron is caught 42% of the time. Why didn't they just say that???
Now, to save money, most of us use a Wix 51348 or Fram PH3614 or similar filter, with pertinent specs to the right of the 57035 above. Everything else being the same, we can see that both filters are operating around 8 GPM @ 8 PSI, the only real difference is the filter efficiency. The larger filter would have more surface area of filter paper, and we can say that it is less efficient at filtering small particles, even though it has a nominal 15 micron rating. Now that's the part that's hard to understand, it catches 20 micron particles 20% of the time, but it catches it's nominal rating of 15 microns 50% of the time, go figure?? By the way, I double checked those numbers.
So, the argument that some make to only stick with the original equipment filters doesn't seem to hold any water at all in terms of filtration. You're not over working your oil pump in a small engine, and you're not really getting any better filtration efficiency either, so it's a wash. I'd use whatever is cheaper.
Anyone see any error in my judgement? Am I misunderstanding some of these specs?
Your thought?