Re: oil filter
Easy to answer this question yourself with the proper tools.
Every mechanic or DIY'er must have a filter cutter or you are not doing the job properly IMO:
We get our students at the school where I work to cut EVERY filter that comes off every engine, transmission, and hydraulic system. Both to inspect for metal, dirt and other indicators of problems developing in a machine and out of environmental responsibility (we recycle the steel and crush the oil out of the media with a press). I couldn't sleep nights throwing filters in the landfill full of oil.
After you cut a few, you'll see why Fram, and most other auto parts store products are inferior.
As far as automotive/marine engine oil filters, this is the best of all the brands we've ever cut open. Pleat count, pleat separators glued on, spiral roving, steel dipped and glued end caps, cast aluminum head, inertia welded can seam..... nice filter! and the threads are clean! On a lot of store bought filters, if you take a white cloth, and wipe the threads....ugh... dirt.
All that said: My boat has a Fram filter on it.
It's a boat engine, who cares...
We have some diesels worth $75,000 at work.... we take filtration seriously there
I buy the Donaldson's when it occurs to me but the only place to get them is at a Caterpillar dealer..not real handy for me... oddly the Donaldson is about the same price as the Fram
