Hi Budd and all,

I have an electric oil pressure gauge on the 87 Van.  I don't see any
difference in pressure between the German or the cheapes on sale of
whatever brand.   For Fram to list the VW as an applicable user, thier
filter would have to meet VW specs.  I currently have a fram on <<SNIP>>>
For what its worth,
Larry
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Larry, Budd and all-

Again, for what it is worth, I have never used anything but FRAM, and have
logged many hundreds of thousands of miles without oil-related failure.
I've kept a PH8A on every van and 914 I've had, unless we are going
off-road, then I switch to a 2844. True, Fram's backflow prevention is not
metal, but silicone. But for me, no problems.

As far as the filter affecting oil pressure, I strongly doubt it. The oil
filter is not in any arrangement to affect the oil pressure. You could
remove the filter element from inside the filter can, or block the element
completely and your oil pressure would remain about the same. The oil
circuit has a bypass valve (directly above the filter, looks like a big
ball bearing) which (as it is named) BYPASSes the filter if the filter
presents too much back pressure. If you are bursting oil filters, make sure
this bypass valve isn't stuck closed.

As the filter lies prior to the primary pressure regulator in the oil
circuit, is doesn't have any affect on the pressure going to the bearings.
Don't sweat the details. Change your oil frequently, and use a filter.
Hell, VW went without filtering the oil for years without any big
dependability problems...

G. Matthew Bulley
Principal
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Communications for Organizational Development
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free