Fram C31PL for Military Senior oil filter

[pfarber]

Seems like the FRAM C31PL is a good match for the WIX 51503 filter:

Fram C31PL	WIX 51503
Product Height 7.98" Product I.D. .56" Product O.D. 4.5"	Height: 8.039 I.D.: 0.567 O.D.: 4.092

Amazon lists them for $9.44 and while this might seem high compared to other online sources, if you have Amazon Prime they are shipped free.

While the C31PL is slightly wider (4.5 vs 4.0) measuring an Military Senior oil filter can's diameter will accept the 4.5in filter with about 1/16th on the sides. The only other issue is that the lid gasket with the new filter may not fit... but lid gaskets really don't go bad unless you over torque the lid.

The real savings is the Prime Shipping. 4 53503's from fleetfilter.com shipped is $52.78 while 4 C31PLs from Amazon Prime is $37.76 saving $15.00

And before anyone says that fram filters suck because of some idiotic web site had a 'review' of them don't even start... the idiots that do those 'cut apart' reviews have no idea what they are talking about. PERIOD.

[pfarber]

Got some photos of the C31PL next to a WIX 51503

As of 11/2015

WIX 51503 lists for $9.55 at Fleetfilter (shipping is $9)
FRAM C31PL lists $12.02 at Amazon

At a case (qty 12) the price difference is less than $2. But you will spend $130+ for them. If you want one-two the C31PL is a good buy. If you can do a case the WIX is a better deal.

The Fram filter fits... my only concern is that WHEN DRY the silicon seals are very tight and the molded in 'handle' may rip if SIGNIFICANT force is needed to pull of off the center column. You can clearly see that the WIX filter has a stamped metal handle and the bottom seal is spot welded in place.. the Fram filter may pull the bottom seal out of the filter if it is very tight.

I am not going to get into filter media... as I'm sure both will filter fine.

The FRAM does come with a lid seal and it does fit the filter housing lid.

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I would use them both... but the silicon seals and how they are attached to the filter worry me. It obvious that the WIX filter is constructed much better.

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Here are the two filters in the can

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[pfarber]

Opps, was listing the wrong WIX filter. Proper WIX filter is 51503