"Makes one wonder if using an open can style filter
without the valving and with more filter media might not be a better
idea. "

Ok, with all this discussion of oil filters it seems to me this point has
not been made:  Fram's and many of "cheap" oil filters list the same part
for the VW I4's (Golf, Jetta, Fox...) as for the Vanagon WBX.  However if
you look at a Mahle or a Mann filter there are two separate filters.  The
difference being a valve located near the base (end that screws onto the oil
cooler).  With all of the Mann filters I get the Vanagon filter lacks this
valve, I believe the Mahle does too, but I haven't used one of these in a
while.  I.e. you can see into the can almost to the bottom.  The "cheap"
filters, like the Fram has this valve.  This would lead me to believe that
the Fram and like filters are incorrect.  BTW I only use Mann and Mahle
filters in my Vanagon and my Fox, different filters in each.

dave
www.251.org