I buy mine from a dumpy little truck repair place on the northwest side of Houston. Go to Baldwins site and look at the list of distributors in your area and call them all. Ask them for a deal on 6 at a time and tell them you don't need them right away so they can order them on their next stock order. You'll get a much better deal and won't have to pay shipping.
I have gotten them from Grainger as been noted as well as a local Catapillar equipment dealer.Most any heavy equipment outfits have or can get Baldwin's,it's the best out there. B.
Just an FYI...my local Fleet Pride distributor is still passing along the same false information. Checked my local Grainger dealer and they've got plenty in stock.
The 252's INTENDED application is Allison transmissions. It is a spin on filter with same specs as the 253 but without a standpipe. As SteveM has stated, just fine for applications with gasket facing up. Here is a link to a source for the B253 @ $9.92 ea. http://www.zorotools.com/g/00044243/k-G2476415?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed
There's a place right down the street from my house that can get both balwin filters - Oil ~$9, Air ~$30. There are several places in town. Most do not have it in stock, but if you call they will order it with a CC and IIRC, there was no or very little shipping charges. From the Baldwin site; HATFIELD AND CO INC 11922 CUTTEN RD HOUSTON TX 77066 281-893-8870 Place is litterly 10min from my house. Got 2 of each from them last spring no problems. Now that I've found Valvolin Synthetic 20w50 at Autozone, all my oil/air sources are now close. Hell, FOH had my WP/Alt belt IN STOCK for $25!!!!
Grainger's always got B253s for a decent price. You can order online and either have them delivered to you or to your local Grainger shop. With the latter, you save shipping. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BALDWIN-FILTERS-FullFlow-Lube-Filter-2KZG4?Pid=search
Surprised to find no filter tfor the Mondial T listed on their web site. Did I miss something? Does anyone know what filter fits the T?
$8.31 https://truckhelp.com/shop/category_search/?search_with_change_category_ability=yes&categoryID=571¶m_16=b253&advanced_search_in_category=Find&search_in_subcategory=1
fyi http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrari-246-Engine-Oil-Filter-Baldwin-B-253-Pair-OEM-/160561671127?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item256238abd7#ht_3115wt_1165
The Purflux (Ferrari) 197654 is it, no cross-reference to Baldwin, Fram or anywhere else. Same goes for 348 and 355.
I'd give Baldwin a call, with all of the specs on your current filter. They'd probably be great about trying to find you a more reasonably priced alternative.....with good quality. Once the cross-reference here fails, you'll be taken to a contact form: http://www.baldwinfiltersrus.com/baldwin_filters/OEM-Part-Number-Lookup/