Last year I built a new 502 for my Baja, I still have a Mercruiser 35-866340K01 filter on it, is their a larger capacity filter I could run on it? Its a lake boat they does not see long hard blast at all so I might be overthinking this but figured I would see what you guys are running on the Mercruiser big blocks.

how big you want to go?
heres a 2qt filter oil filter
Just do a search for 13/16x16 oil filter and you'll get all kinds of listings. May be easier to go to NAPA and have the guys do a search for ya

Not sure just I thought the filter on it is kinda small for 509 Cid engine but maybe not. Im sure I am overthinking this.

If you want a 2qt with a bypass valve and anti drainback valve, then the Moroso 22461 is good.

If you want a 2qt without the bypass or anti drainback, then the AC Delco PF932 is good.

Both filters are in the high 20s for micron rating and flow well.

If your filter is mounted with the flange down, then I'd go with a filter that has an anti drainback.

What do you think about WIX filters?

Wix are good I think. I run a Wix 33405 fuel filter on my own boat.

The thing that I don't like about the Wix oil filters are the racing ones that have a 61 micron rating and people use them on their non racing engines. I feel you need more filtration than that on an engine that isn't getting the oil changed between motos etc. Not the filter's fault, just the application people choose to use it in I don't think is right often times.

I like the WIX but now a days its like anything else...depends on where its made.
Buddy of mine sent me a pic the other day of his NAPA gold filter...one was made in the US the other in China!
I know Wix makes the NAPA gold filters so it kinda surprised me...i went home and looked at my stash of filters for my truck...all WIX...half made in US the other half made in Mexico! .....you just cant win now a days!

I would assume if I buy it off Amazon it wont be the US made that's for sure. Unreal that we cant get anything of quality anymore! I should just put the mercruiser 866340K01 back on, I never had an issue and its not a race boat.

Ok lets change the subject since this is also on my mind, spark plugs. I have AC MR43TS plugs in it now but I read the AC Rapid-fire #1 platinum plugs are better. What are your thoughts on going to a platinum plug?

I used those Wix racing filters for a long time and my bearings never looked very good .. is it becaus it`s a "racing filter" with 61 microns? Maybe, maybe not.
Engine masters did an episode and the K&N had best flow and filtration, they stopped making it in my size.

New engines get 20 micron filters.. I found one that is quite long lol

If I remember correctly on that episode none of the filters were really worth a dam they all bypass to quickly. I never had an issue with the factory mercruiser filter.