Hi Guys: I am currently running Fram Filters on my 330, but my mechanic is recommending the Ferrari filters. They used to be red with the prancing horse...anyone else remember? I called Algar yesterday and he tells me they have been replaced with UMI filters which are blue and white. They are a little cheaper than Frams. Anybody know where to get the old red ones? anyone know if the white ones are comprable?
I also had a 330 GTC. I used Fram filters and found them to have serious internal problems. Beware. I switched to Balwin filters and had no further problems.
Baldwin B253. Buy them from a truck place, save money. http://www.adiesel.com/baldwinfilters/B253.html
when sourcing filters make sure the filters have and internal by pass valve... this will prevent the filters going into orbit... other than that any quality filter can work... there is no Ferrari only spec... there is a minimum spec / features that a filter should have... using Ferrari branded filter says that filter is meets the requirement without looking further
Roger that! The Baldwin Filters are excellent. I've also used the NAPA 1622 (made by Gard) with good results, also.
I was going to stay out of the oil filter argument, but a few things need to be clarified: 1. There are specific specifications for a 330 GTC style oil filter. 2. A Correct oil filter for a Type 209/66 engine (330 GTC) should NOT have a Bypass valve. The bypass valve is located in the chaincase on these engines. 3. The correct filter for these engines should have a case burst strength of 300-500 psi. 4. The correct filter for this engine should have a Anti-Drain Back valve. I can confirm the Fram Ph 2804-1 filter meets these specs. I believe the Baldwin B253 does also, but I am not totally sure about the anti-drain back valve. I have never been able to secure adequate technical specs for the UFI filters to verify they actually meet the required specs. As to stories about the Fram filters, I, like others have heard them for years. However, in over 40 years, I have never actually seen a failed Fram PH 2804-1 filter. Everybody can make their own choice. Please be careful, the 3/4 x 16 thread pitch of this filter is quite common. Many manufacturer's make filters that will fit the 330 GTC engine, but very few filters, to my knowledge, are actually designed for its oil flow characteristics.
All good information. Algae has UFI and I think I always used to run the red Baldwins. Just can't seem to find them in red. Hate the color white
Some examples of Fram PH2804-1 failures posted here over the last few years: Fram PH2804-1 with a collapsed filter element: Image Unavailable, Please Login Another PH2804-1 with a collapsed filter element: Image Unavailable, Please Login Fram PH2804-1 with a defective anti-drainback valve that is not sealing properly: Image Unavailable, Please Login I can confirm that the Baldwin B252 (for gasket end up applications without internal standpipe) and the Baldwin B253 (for gasket end down applications with internal standpipe) have: 1. an anti-drainback valve 2. a 600 psi outer case burst strength
I do not believe the Baldwin Filters with the Ferrari logo have been made for quite a while. They were B253 and I used to get them at GT Car Parts in Phoenix. Might be worth a call to them.
Steve: Thanks for the clarification of the Baldwin units. I was very sure they were constructed with the correct specs, but just did not want to state that without a valid source. As to the photos of the Frams, I just said that I had, personally, never seen or experienced a failure. Fram, in the 1950s and 1960s was a respected manufacturer of high quality filters. However, with the advent of the "discount store" that handled auto supplies, Fram made a decision in the late 1970s-early 1980s to persue that market. They lowered the quality of the internal components in their regular mass marketed filters and the rest, as some say, is history. As to their speciality filters, each to his own, and his own experiences.
yep, use the Baldwin 253. As noted, they're readily available. I got a case of them from Baldwin...figured I'd have the car for a long time. steve
Steve Magnusson: I was thinking more about the photos of the failed Fram filters you posted. Are these filters you actually experienced, or are they photos from other sources? Let me be clear that I am not attempting to defend the Fram filter in this application. I believe the Baldwin to be the superior unit. However, unless we know exactly how the failed filter was used, and what car it was used on, we reallly do not know the whole story. Was the failure a design or manufacturing defect, was the engine revved too high when cold, what weight oil was in the engine at the time, how much "trash" is in the failed filter, etc. Just trying to be open minded and not condem without adequate proof.
Thanks guys. I got them at GT Car parts. Ordered 6. So should be good for a while. Thanks again very much. This has been super helpful!
Do the ones from GT Car Parts have the Ferrari logo and Luigi Chinetti Motors stamped on them similar to the photos above from 375+?
I understand your point, and don't know all the exact details of each failure, but don't believe that they were a result of abuse or misuse. We have some FChatters who have used the Fram, and, out of that population, they've reported these failures; other FChatters use the Baldwin and we've never had a failure reported from that population. Actually, the biggest complaint about the Fram was that many 308/328 Owners reported the PH2804-1 being completely empty when removed -- which implies that the anti-drainback valve wasn't working well on many units. One thing for sure is that it's crazy to pay 3~5X times the cost of the Baldwin for the UFI. The Fram and the Baldwin are about the same price (in the US), but the Fram has a couple of negatives IMO compared to the Baldwin. Here's my 2 cents on the Fram PH2804-1: Outer Case = excellent, just as good as the Baldwin Seal = excellent, just as good as the Baldwin Standpipe = OK, same as the Baldwin Filter Cartridge = a little cheap with the "cardboard" endcaps (but agee with your assessment that the Frams were better made years ago). Relief Valve = none (so the Filter Cartridge is more likely to collapse). The Baldwin has a resettable, spring-loaded relief valve so this is a plus for the Baldwin. Anti-drainback valve = OKish, but more reports of removing "empty" filters (indicating that the ADV is not sealing well in some cases). At equal price, it's a no-brainer to select the Baldwin over the Fram (today) -- JMO...
To Steve Magnesson: Excellent assessment and Baldwin/Fram comparison. Nice to see people make comments without lots of excessive hyperbole. I agree totally with your conclusion as to the UFI units.
Interesting. I have a NOS Ferrari/Chinetti version of the B253 which is a deep red, almost maroon, with silver printing. I've had it on my parts shelf for around 20 years, and I think it was on another old parts shelf for a decade or more before that. Were there multiple versions of the B253 produced for Chinetti?
The guys at Radcliffe just installed the Baldwin 253 on my 308QV. Will let you know how it performs. Regards, MB
Hi, Matt. Combining the mileage on a 330 GTC (150,000 miles), 2 308s (65,000 miles), and a FIAT 124 (144,000 miles), I have well over 355,000 miles using the Baldwin filters. NEVER A PROBLEM!!! I would not even consider using any other brand. Bob Z.
