Abstract: A fluid filter assembly includes a filter housing, a filter media positioned to lie in a filter chamber provided in the filter housing, and a filter media end cap including an end plate coupled to the filter media and a bypass valve assembly clamped to the end plate without using any weldment. The end cap further includes a spring housing appended to the end plate, a piston closure seat clamped to the end plate and formed to include a bypass inlet aperture, and a piston closure biased by a spring normally to close the bypass inlet aperture to block flow of unfiltered fluid extant in the filter chamber through the bypass inlet aperture.