Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Jim, not to start an argument or to hijack this thread (thanks for the disassemble and pics, BTW), but I have to ask: if the bypass valve location is not important, why then does Ford continue to specify thread-end when it's likely more expensive to manufacture?
Good question. No hijack, since I mentioned it. The only immediate answer I can offer is,"That's the way they want it. That's the way they've done it for the past 40 years."
In and of itself, Ford wanting it that way doesn't mean it's the best thing. Among the three filter engineers I've spoken with, it's a non-issue. None would give me any insight as to why Ford specs this feature. It's been that way a very long time over a wide variety of engine types. Being a "Ford guy" more or less, I once gave this feature a good deal of weight in my filter evaluations but I've been moving away from it the past few years because my research shows it's a non-critical choice for the most part... and my recent discussions have cemented it. I'm open to being convinced otherwise, but I have banished the specter of "washed" media as a worthwhile reason. That's the only reason that ever comes up. Would like to hear a better one... if it exists.
If I REALLY stretch my imagination, I can come up with one and only one scenario where base-end bypass really might make a difference.
Conditions:
1) Base-up filter mounting with dome-end bypass
2) Surface-loading media (cellulse or equivalent)
3) some dirt "sloughs" off media after engine shut-down
4) Sloughed dirt pools in the dome-end
5) Start engine cold and immediately rev over 3000 RPM
IF that event kicks the filter into bypass before the "sloughed" dirt can swirl up and stick back onto the filter, then I can see some excess dirt getting into the engine.
But are 5 randomly flipped dimes REALLY going to stand on edge in a row often enough to make me lose sleep? Nah.
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Jim, not to start an argument or to hijack this thread (thanks for the disassemble and pics, BTW), but I have to ask: if the bypass valve location is not important, why then does Ford continue to specify thread-end when it's likely more expensive to manufacture?
Good question. No hijack, since I mentioned it. The only immediate answer I can offer is,"That's the way they want it. That's the way they've done it for the past 40 years."
In and of itself, Ford wanting it that way doesn't mean it's the best thing. Among the three filter engineers I've spoken with, it's a non-issue. None would give me any insight as to why Ford specs this feature. It's been that way a very long time over a wide variety of engine types. Being a "Ford guy" more or less, I once gave this feature a good deal of weight in my filter evaluations but I've been moving away from it the past few years because my research shows it's a non-critical choice for the most part... and my recent discussions have cemented it. I'm open to being convinced otherwise, but I have banished the specter of "washed" media as a worthwhile reason. That's the only reason that ever comes up. Would like to hear a better one... if it exists.
If I REALLY stretch my imagination, I can come up with one and only one scenario where base-end bypass really might make a difference.
Conditions:
1) Base-up filter mounting with dome-end bypass
2) Surface-loading media (cellulse or equivalent)
3) some dirt "sloughs" off media after engine shut-down
4) Sloughed dirt pools in the dome-end
5) Start engine cold and immediately rev over 3000 RPM
IF that event kicks the filter into bypass before the "sloughed" dirt can swirl up and stick back onto the filter, then I can see some excess dirt getting into the engine.
But are 5 randomly flipped dimes REALLY going to stand on edge in a row often enough to make me lose sleep? Nah.
