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Oil Filters

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paul2748
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What is the go to oil filters now.  Have been using WIX, are they still the best ones to use ?

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

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Paul, there are almost as many opinions regarding oil filters as there are for engine oil. I just bought a Wix 51515 from Amazon. You probably know that Wix was sold years ago to an international company. Mine has a label that says "Engineered and Assembled in The U.S.A." I paid less than $6. Summit has them for the same price. 
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READ THIS (2021) - https://www.speed-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63818

The PUROLATOR results are scary as they vendor MOTORCRAFT.


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For me I would choose depending on whether the engine is near stock or is built with higher oil flow or pressure.
Here is a in-depth testing of many popular ones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbzE1C-FPs



There are previous tests, just look at thier main page for the list of each test video.



1936 Ford 3W Coupe : 56 T-Bird 312, 47 Packard 3 speed, 40 juice brakes.
1968 Merc Cyclone FB GT 390, Getting a better front clip!
1977 Ford F-250 Supercab RWD Explorer Long box.
1976 Chev Camaro RS LT
Future rebuild : 1949 Ford F-1

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WIX has had some failures in days of late. I'm still a Motorcraft guy, but they are quite expensive these days. 
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Has anyone used the Baldwin B2 oil filter? 
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Three topics that are almost guaranteed to bring up a spirited discussion would be religion, politics, and the brand of oil and/or filter being used in your vehicle.

My three filters of choice are Wix, Motorcraft, and Purolator.  Have not had a Baldwin filter on an engine in the shop so cannot comment on that one.  Having cut a lot of different filters apart, the two things I watch for are the size of the holes in the inner liner and if the filter cartridge itself has metal ends or not.  The filters using cardboard as part of the media construction do tend to fail earlier than those that use metal.

Many of the name brand filters are made by companies unrelated to the name on the filter.  Because many of those companies also make filters for the rest of the world, it’s best to check the packaging for where the filter is actually being produced.  For the U.S.A., Champion, First Brands Group, Mann+Hummel, Parker Hannifin Corp, and Purolator are just some of the major U.S. filter manufacturers.  Private label filters can be very easily made to a different specification (better or worse) than other filters being made by the same company for other retailers.  For this reason, just looking at a particular filter manufacturer may be misleading when picking out a filter.

Here’s a link showing which companies make the current crop of oil filters.
Which oil filters are made in the United States? - Alt Car news

What was true five years ago may not be the same today (2026) and likewise, five years from now may see shifts in who makes a particular oil filter for your application.  Always check the packaging for where the filter is being manufactured.


Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)


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Interesting review Ted, I asked AI to summarize with latest info :

They are mostly still at least partly made in the USA, but you now have to check each specific filter or box, because several brands on that list also produce some filters in Mexico, China, or other countries.  1

What the article actually claims


The Tire Meets Road page says the following about “made in USA” status, as of late 2021  1

ACDelco – Made in the United States via Champion Laboratories plants in Illinois and South Carolina.  1
Amsoil – Made in the United States via Champion Laboratories IL and SC .  1  Baldwin – Majority made in the United States since acquiring Hastings.  1  Bosch – Majority made in the United States by Purolator in North Carolina.  1
Carquest – Majority made in the United States by Champion Labs, but Champ also has a Shanghai plant and some filters are made there.  1
Donaldson – Some made in the United States; 3 3.5 inch cans built in Mexico, others private‑label via Champion.  1
Fleetguard – Majority made in the United States (plants in Tennessee and Wisconsin), but they also produce in Mexico and Australia.  1
FRAM – Majority made in the United States; FRAM said over 90% of Ultra Synthetic filters are “developed, engineered, and made” in the USA, implying about 10% are not.  1
MicroGard OʼReilly) – Some made in the United States (standard MicroGard likely from Wix/Purolator US plants); many MicroGard Select may be foreign‑made.  1
Motorcraft – Made in the United States by Purolator in North Carolina.  1
Purolator – Majority made in the United States but, as part of Mann+Hummel, some filters are made in other countries.  1
Royal Purple – Made in the United States via Champion Labs IL, SC .  1
Supertech (Walmart) – Described there as 100% made in the USA by Champion Labs in South Carolina and Illinois. A current Walmart listing still calls SuperTech “made in USA by Champion Labs.”  2 1
STP – Made in the United States via Champion Labs IL, SC , though at least one recent buyer reports seeing “Made in China” on a specific STP filter.  1
WIX – Some made in the United States; many others are not, and you must check the box and can.  1

What has changed since then


Newer info shows that production has shifted for at least some part numbers or lines:

Wix XP – Users report some Wix XP part numbers that used to be USA‑made are now made in Mexico and built differently internally. At the same time, other Wix XP filters are still labeled “Made in USA by Mann+Hummel.”  3 4
FRAM Ultra Synthetic – FRAMʼs own announcement still states that over 90% of Ultra Synthetic filters are made in the USA, so a large majority of that line remains US‑made, not all.  1
SuperTech – A recent product description still states SuperTech oil filters “are made in USA by Champion Labs of nearly all USA materials,” suggesting most of that line is still US‑made, though it does not guarantee every single part number.  2
STP / others from Champion Labs – At least one STP spin‑on sold at retail is labeled “Made in China,” showing that even brands described as “made in USA” can have individual part numbers from other countries now.  1

What this means for you

The brands listed on that page are still the best candidates if you want USA‑made filters, and many of their filters and lines continue to be manufactured in US plants.  2 1
However, by 2024 2025 it is no longer safe to assume every filter under those brand names is US‑made. Wix XP and some STP examples show that certain part numbers have moved to Mexico or China.  4 3 1
The only reliable way to be sure for a specific filter is to read the “Made in …” marking on the individual box and can/cartridge at purchase time, since country of origin can vary within the same brand and even within the same product line.  4 1


If you tell me which exact brand and part number youʼre considering (e.g., “Wix 57055XP” or “Fram XG9688”), I can help look up recent reports for that specific filter.


ok considering, Wix 51515 and 51515XP, Fram PH8A, ACDELCO PFL400A, MOTORCRAFT FL1A, MOBIL M1301A;


Here is the best available, part‑specific info for those filters; in all cases you should still confirm on the box/can at purchase because country of origin can vary by batch.

Wix 51515 and 51515XP


Wix 51515 A current catalog listing shows “Country of Origin Primary): US” for the 51515. Another supplier specifically lists “Origin Country: US” for this part. There are also older listings that show some 51515 stock as “Country of Origin: China,” so there may be mixed or legacy inventory.  20 21 22
Wix 51515XP A recent catalog entry for 51515XP lists “Country of Origin Primary): US.” However, users have reported some Wix XP part numbers coming from Mexico, so checking the box is still important.  23 24

Fram PH8A

A Canadian distributor lists PH8A as “Made in USA,” with matching dimensions for the standard spin‑on filter.  25
Framʼs own plant footprint is heavily US‑based, but they do not guarantee every part number is always US‑made; you still need to verify the “Made in …” marking on a given PH8A.  26

ACDelco PFL400A


Multiple current parts catalogs describe specifications and features for PFL400A but do not explicitly list the country of origin in the public spec block.  27 28
ACDelco often sources Gold Professional) filters from US plants but also uses non‑US plants; without an explicit COO line for PFL400A, you must rely on the box/can label for this one.  29

Motorcraft FL‑1A


FL‑1A is still a current Motorcraft filter with multiple modern variants; recent discussions and reviews focus on design and media differences but do not clearly state a single, consistent country of origin.  30 31
Historically many FL‑1A filters were made in USA by Purolator, but there are also examples from other countries; again, the physical filter/box is the only reliable way to confirm COO for your specific FL‑1A.  32 33

Mobil M1301A

A recent catalog entry for Mobil M1301A explicitly lists “Country of Origin Primary): US.”  34
Mobil 1ʼs extended‑performance filters (like M1‑301A) are premium line products, and while they are often US‑made, Mobil does not promise that all filter part numbers or production runs are exclusively US‑sourced, so verify the label when you buy.  35  36

Baldwin B2


Primarily manufactured in the United States, with production facilities located in Gothenburg, NE, Kearney, NE, and Yankton, SD. While they are known as US-made products, some products may be produced internationally, though this is more common for air filters rather than oil filters.

  Manufacturer: Baldwin Filters (a brand of the Parker Engine Mobile Aftermarket Division)


Practical takeaway for your list

Most likely USmade right now, per catalog COO lines: Wix 51515, Wix 51515XP, Fram PH8A (at least from some distributors), Baldwin B2, Mobil M1301A.  20 25 23 34
Unclear / mixed history, label check essential: ACDelco PFL400A and Motorcraft FL‑1A (no recent, explicit COO in public specs).  31 28 30 27
Because production can and does move between plants US, Mexico, China), the only way to be 100% sure for any of these filters is to look for “Made in USA” printed on the specific box and on the metal can or cartridge you purchase.

1.  https://www.fram.eom/news/post/fram@-announces-new-ultra-synthetic-oil-filter-design
2.  https://www. walmart.com/ip/Suoer-Tech-ST3614-10K-mile-Soin-on-Reolacement-Oil-Filter-for-select- Ford-Vehicles/998699547
3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiPuhmNc2No
4.  https://bobistheoilquv.com/forums/threads/wix-57055-xp-usa-vs-mexico-unused-cut-open.399947/
5.  https://www.facebook.com/qrouPs/subarumechanics/posts/3766952246927366/
6.  https://www.champlabs.com/brands/
7.  https://www.bcdiesel.ca/en/motorcraft-oil-filter-ford-67l-oowerstroke-2011-2024
8.  https://licensinqinternational.orq/news/vp-racinq-fuels-introduces-premium-performance-oil-filters-in- licensinq-agreement-with-champion-laboratories/
9.  https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/super-tech-oil-filter-ouality.395257/
10.  https://www.reddit.eom/r/Ford/comments/1aful97/who makes ford oem oil filters the motorcraft/
11.  https://www.chamolabs.com
12.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3irv74WJXkE
13.  ttps://www.dirtydieselcustom.ca/products/2011-2019-powerstroke-oem-motorcraft-oil-filter-fl2051s
14.  https://www.champlabs.com/brands/champ/
15.  https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/30697/choose-oil-filter
16.  https://www.fram.com/oroducts/oil-filters/ultra-svnthetic
17.  https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/1i0fwb8/oil filter truth or lie/
18.  https://www.fram.com/fram-ultra-svnthetic-oil-filter-SDin-on-xg9688
19.  https://www.wixfilters.com/en-us/Droducts/Dassenger-car-light-truck/oil-filters/wix-XD-oil-filters.html
20.  https://www.finditparts.com/products/2523598/wix-filters-51515
21.  https://www.beachaudio.com/wix-filtr-ld-51515-lube/
22.  https://www.thewrenchmonkey.ca/brands/wix/51515
23.  https://www.finditDarts.com/products/20399563/wix-filters-51515xp
24.  https://bobistheoilquy.com/forums/threads/wix-57055-xp-usa-vs-mexico-unused-cut-open.399947/
25.  https://www.thewrenchmonkey.ca/brands/fram/ph8a
26.  https://partsavatar.ca/fram-oil-filter-ph8a
27.  https://www.finditparts.com/products/3862570/acdelco-pfl400a
28.  https://partshawk.com/acdelco-pfl400a-enqine-oil-filter.html
29.  https://oartsavatar.ca/acdelco-professional-oil-filter-pfl400a
30.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEMn6YVWA-Y
31.  https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/we-bouqht-all-the-motorcraft-fl-1a-oil-filter-variants-we-could-find-take-a-look.1218729/
32.  https://bobistheoilquy.com/forums/threads/motorcraft-fl1a-who-makes-them.58739/
33.  https://www.fram.eom/news/post/fram@-announces-new-ultra-synthetic-oil-filter-desiqn
34.  https://www.finditoarts.com/oroducts/13635120/mobil-oil-m1301a
35.  httos://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-Dersonal-vehicles/our-Droducts/oil-filter-oroducts/mobil-1-ext ended-oerformance-oil-filter-m1-301a
36.  https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mobil-1-m1-301-extended-Derformance-oil-filter-0171647o.html
37.  https://www.facebook.com/qrouDs/483964356970950/oosts/1024948769539170/
38.  https://www.fram.com/fram-extra-quard-oil-filter-Spin-on-Ph8a
39.  https://newDarts.com/wix-51515-enqine-oil-filter
40.  https://www.knfilters.ca/cross-reference/ac-delco/of I400a-oil-filter



1936 Ford 3W Coupe : 56 T-Bird 312, 47 Packard 3 speed, 40 juice brakes.
1968 Merc Cyclone FB GT 390, Getting a better front clip!
1977 Ford F-250 Supercab RWD Explorer Long box.
1976 Chev Camaro RS LT
Future rebuild : 1949 Ford F-1

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Thanks Robs36

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ



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