I did. I said I use STP with no issues and am very satisfied. That sorta answers the question. Clear implication here that, IMO, you do NOT have to use Motocraft.

 

There is not a "direct" fit unit.

What I had to do was track down a new block adaptor for the standard Ford 2.3L "Duratec" engine block and a standard spin on type filter base. This is the same block that the FEH uses so the filter adaptor attachment is the same..

Changing the stock filter adaptor for the replacement unit was not difficult, four bolts and the low oil pressure light fitting.

I'll have to retrace my steps and part number for the adaptor. Once I got a standard, spin on filter adaptor then I purchased the Canton Racing Products 8µ filter. The 4" unit fits nicely and is about the same length as the OEM filter unit, so it doesn't hang down too far.

I mounted the bypass filter on the firewall, pax side, up high. The source for the bypass filter is a tee at the oil pressure fitting and I used a special thread into the side of the oil filler neck for the return oil into the engine.

It may take a me a few days.

 

yea i just went to auto zone and you can get a STP filter and 5 quarts of some oil i cannot remember which for like $14, that is a hell of a deal. **** wallmart charges you like 25-30 for a oilchange.

 

I got my oil filter adaptor from British American Transfer (www.batinc.net)

The website Remote Oil Filters section leads to item number Fh-4, the one I got. It gets you to a spin on filter base. Then I put on the Canton Racing Products canister filter, the shorter one.

 

Thanks Bill.

http://www.batinc.net/

 

Just picked up a filter at O'Reilly's. They had a Microguard filter for $4.99. That's the cheapest I've seen. To make things better, the larger o-ring is made of a slightly different material. This one is green. Hopefully it won't be so prone to leaking as the Fram was. Oh, and it does have the little cage inside it.

 

WallyWorld now sells the Motorcraft filter, at least in Oregon and Washington, for very cheap price (on the order of $3).

However it appears Motorcraft has changed suppliers and the filter element now looks more like the low-end Purolator filter. I'm wondering if the Mazda part is still the same as the original Ford part?

 

I believe that the baffle inside the standard filter is there to ensure the filter retains its shape and doesn't collapse with oil flow.