No one seems to have mentioned the UFI 191993 oil filter
Actually, that would be UFI 2316202 (191993 is the corresponding Ferrari part number). Nothing wrong with the UFI 2316202 for the F inverted oil filter applications AFAIK -- but it's kind of pricey in the US (compared to the Baldwin B253).
Very interesting. Would you care to share how exactly did you determined each case being caused specifically by a Fram filter (which number and which engines) and ruled out any other potential, underlying contributor, i.e. perhaps incorrect mounting or insufficient tightening causing o-ring blow outs or defective/inaccurately adjusted oil pressure relief, etc ? You’re welcome to call, email or PM me if you prefer discretion.
I recall that one car was a 330 GTC, and the Fram 3804 split where the cannister connected with the base. It blew out there. There was also a situation with the UFI filters supplied by Ferrari as well, where they blew out the base rubber gasket in the early 1980's, and the filter base or rubber gasket was redesigned. If I remember correctly, there was also a technical bulletin stating that the UFI filters would not be available for a while, until the redesign was released. Gary Bobileff
I had some of those defective UFI filters. Blew the gasket out on my road Stratos and had hot engine oil all over my hot exhaust pipes. I thought maybe I didn't tighten it down enough and so used another and the same thing happened. Fortunately, the car didn't catch fire but it sure could have.
That was the UFI 2316201 where they put some spotwelds under the rubber gasket in the gasket channel (to replace some rivets that they were using there -- an idea to reduce manufacturing costs that also reduced sealing reliability). On the 2316202, UFI went to a "smooth" gasket channel for the rubber gasket (like virtually all other oil filter manufacturers).
They also had a shollower groove for the seal and had trouble with that. They put a deeper groove and a different rubber seal.
How long ago? There was a design change. Did you torque them in place? There is a spec right on the side. They are not supposed to be hand tightened. The updated design is at least 20 years old. I have installed many hundreds.
Thank you Gary, for expanding, but with all due respect, none of this seems directly applicable to old style PH2804-1s I've been (successfully) using for years in several Daytonas* and in case of only one Fram 3804 in a 330 GTC, rest of your references appear to be for UFI filters. *Ever since I heard of Fram failures years ago, I've had a habit to cut and inspect each one after use for signs of potential failures, but so far haven't seen any. The ones I have in stock were probably manufactured at least 15-20 years ago.
Also, reading several comments here, it appears Fram is not the only filter manufacturer with failures possibly related to manufacturing defects/deficiencies, so who knows, maybe some day someone will make similar claims on Baldwins.
Baldwins are extremely well built, and have superior filtration. I've never heard of any one using a Baldwin who suffered a failure. Gary Bobileff
Mr Baldwin owned Ferraris. He also made filters for the TR but that was discontinued long ago when he sold the company.
Was over ten years ago and they may have been old stock. I tightened even more by hand the second one that blew. I might still have one on my spare engine just to seal the filter opening. I will take a look.
I my 50 years+ of car mongering, I have never seen an oil filter blow up. Yet I have seen dead people sweeping the street at night... and more airplane crashes here, than I have cared to have seen.
The UFI filter I have is all blue. Pulled this up from a post by 355spyder from 2008: (3) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) PUBLISHES RECALL AFFECTING FERRARI NORTH AMERICA OIL FILTER 111782 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a recall affecting the Ferrari North America Oil Filter 111782. Some replacement oil filters (Ferrari Part No. 111782) were made in a different manner from the original version. As a result, the oil filter may leak engine oil from the seal ring area. In the presence of an ignition source, the engine oil could be ignited, causing a vehicle fire, possibly resulting in personal injury or death. These oil filters can be used on Ferrari model vehicles dating back to the 1960s. The model vehicles these filters can be used on are: Dino 206 GT, Dino 246 GT/GTS, Dino 308 GT4, 208 GTB/GTS turbo, 208 GT4, 208 GTB/GTS turbo intercooler, GTB/GTS turbo, 275 GTB4, 308 GT4, 308 GTB/GTS, 308i GTB/GTS, 328 GTB/GTS, 330 GT, 330 GTC, 365 GT, 365 GT4, 365 GT4BB, 365 GTC (1970), 365 GTC/GTS, 365 GTC4, 365 GTS4, 400I GT/GTA, 4000 GT/GTA, 412 GT/GTA, 512BB, 512i BB, Mondial 3.2, Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet, Mondial 8, Mondial 9 Cabriolet, Mondial 4V, 288 GTO. Dealers will replace the oil filters with a new style of oil filter having a Ferrari part number of 191993, free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that notification began Oct. 12, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2600. The National Highway Safety Admin
So, all these accusations, claims, conjectures, recollections, along with enthusiastically supportive cheerleading about good vs. bad oil filter brands & models made this shade tree mechanic wonder if anyone has documented evidence of any filter having been clearly & consistently proven as the main and/or sole cause for catastrophic engine failures (destruction ?) in vintage Ferraris, including Dinos ?
Timo: The NHSA recall is pretty good evidence there were problems with some UFI filters. Personally, I used the old style 2804-1 filters for years with no problems at all. When I ran out, I switched to the B253 units.
You don't consider the photo in post #19 to be evidence? I'd suggest that you cut apart a Fram PH2804-1 and a Baldwin B253 to compare the internal construction and features. No one is forcing you buy any particular brand oil filter -- do as you please.
Could you please re-read my question: Not that I wish to doubt Brians claim, but no, I do not consider "the photo in post 19 to be (documented ) evidence", especially without supporting (clear) proof the filter shown in it having been "the main/sole cause for catastrophic engine failure in a vintage Ferrari". Could you also please: And no, I haven't yet had a chance nor a need to cut a Baldwin B253 apart, but once I've exhausted my current stock and switch to them I likely will.
You should. The resettable 19 psi bypass valve in the Baldwin that DWR46 mentioned is something that you won't find in the Fram, and the cardboard end caps on the Fram filter element are particularly craptastic as is the thick rubber anti-drainback valve flap in the Fram -- often doesn't work at all (which also renders the standpipe completely ineffective).
