Anybody else notice this?

[DrFishbone]

Motorcraft has changed our oil filter size! Same PN, same model number, still works, but the newer one is taller! At least I assume it's the newer one....

I thought the box wasn't shaped just right (that's how I would always find the right filter, since I can't ever remember the number. )

 

[DrFishbone]

Maybe it's so that you can still change the oil if your motor mounts are beyond "shot".

I remember not being able to remove the filter several years ago because the motor mounts were so bad.

 

[BLOWN38]

Yup got one a few weeks ago. The new one is shorter not taller.
Kinda sucked cause the old filter wouldn't fit in the box.

 

[rzimmerl]

I think Motorcraft shortened all their filters across the board. The 820 that is our 500 and Explorer have both shrunk also. My guess has to due the cost of steel.

 

[Ddubb]

I stocked up on the last of the FL-400's a few months ago at the local auto store when I saw they went to a *NEW SIZE SAME PERFORMANCE* ...

I havent seen any shorter 820's yet .. but that might help make the oil change a bit easier on the 4.6 Tbird if they made them a little skinnier..

- Dan

 

[DrFishbone]

Kinda sucked cause the old filter wouldn't fit in the box.

That also bothered me.

 

[Jimmy 2Coupes]

I purchased two Motorcraft FL 400s filters about a month ago for my spring oil change on both of my SC's and when I actually got around to it a couple weeks ago I noticed the same thing. I went to Advanced Auto and bought two Purolator Pureone oil filters and used those on the SC's instead. I use the Motorcraft FL 400s filter on my wifes Jeep Liberty also so that's where the Motorcraft filters are going when the time comes.

 

[DrFishbone]

Hmm...maybe this was why I had trouble gripping the filter at my previous oil change.

I thought my hand was just fatter.