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1978 Fuel Filter

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Old May 25, 2010 | 09:38 PM
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Default 1978 Fuel Filter

On a 78, is the fuel filter inline or on the carburetor. If inline is near the motor or on the frame rail? Thanks
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Old May 25, 2010 | 09:48 PM
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If stock Q-jet it will be in the fuel inlet on front of the carb. mike...
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Old May 26, 2010 | 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by mds3013
If stock Q-jet it will be in the fuel inlet on front of the carb. mike...
When you take the line off, be sure to use a backup wrench on the carb nut, and be careful when you put it back that you don't overtighten it.
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Old May 26, 2010 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by markdtn
When you take the line off, be sure to use a backup wrench on the carb nut, and be careful when you put it back that you don't overtighten it.

if not, i'm sure the little kids in the neighborhood will hear some really cool words because you either took the boss fitting out of the carb or craked the housing! lol
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Old Oct 15, 2019 | 11:22 AM
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So i have the same question. From the reply, is the carb filter the only (besides the sock in the tank) the only filter in the system. IE: nothing under the vehicle?
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Old Oct 15, 2019 | 12:47 PM
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There is only one filter in the system, and it's the filter in the carb. You do not want to add any in-line filter in addition to the in-carb filter. NAPA Gold part number 3052 for the "long" filter used 1975+, and part number 3051 for the "short" filter used 1966 through 1974.

Once you get the filter out, using a 1" backup wrench on the inlet nut and a flarenut wrench on the line tube nut, be sure to lubricate the tube nut threads and the back side of the tube flare with some bearing grease. This will assure proper re-torque and a leak-free connection without over-tightening the parts.

Lars

Last edited by lars; Oct 15, 2019 at 12:49 PM.
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Old Oct 15, 2019 | 09:32 PM
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Thanks Lars
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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by lars
There is only one filter in the system, and it's the filter in the carb. You do not want to add any in-line filter in addition to the in-carb filter. NAPA Gold part number 3052 for the "long" filter used 1975+, and part number 3051 for the "short" filter used 1966 through 1974.

Once you get the filter out, using a 1" backup wrench on the inlet nut and a flarenut wrench on the line tube nut, be sure to lubricate the tube nut threads and the back side of the tube flare with some bearing grease. This will assure proper re-torque and a leak-free connection without over-tightening the parts.

Lars
Lars,

I see you stated not to have an additional in-line filter along with the in-carb filter, is it due to restricting fuel flow or a drop in pressure ?

Curious as my 72 has a clear aftermarket fuel filter attached to the fuel line before the carb filter.

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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 04:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Fudster
From the reply, is the carb filter the only (besides the sock in the tank) the only filter in the system. IE: nothing under the vehicle?
Not sure if this is technically a filter but a fuel sock is located in the tank on the fuel gauge arm that sucks fuel through the fuel lines via the fuel pump enroute to the carb.
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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by SoFL
Lars,
I see you stated not to have an additional in-line filter along with the in-carb filter, is it due to restricting fuel flow or a drop in pressure ? Curious as my 72 has a clear aftermarket fuel filter attached to the fuel line before the carb filter.
There are 3 reasons:
  1. There is simply no need for two filters. Why install unnecessary parts?
  2. Yes, I have seen multiple instances where high rpm fuel starvation problems have been caused by 2 filters having been installed in the system. The worst offenders are in-line filters installed on the suction side of the mechanical engine-driven fuel pump - these will cause problems even if there is no in-carb filter.
  3. Aftermarket in-line fuel filters installed between the pump and the carb usually involve cutting the stock steel fuel line and installing rubber fuel hoses on the pressure side of the system. Not only does it look bad, but it's not always safe. There is a reason GM went to the trouble and expense of making steel hard lines on the pressure side of the system. Particularly unsafe are those clear glass/plastic filters - many cars have been lost to those filters...
Often, people think that the in-carb filter is not adequate due to its compact size. They will remove the in-carb filter and hack in an in-line filter. Often, the in-line filters actually use the in-carb filter cartridges as the replaceable filter element, so they have gained nothing whatsoever...

Originally Posted by hunt4cleanair
Not sure if this is technically a filter but a fuel sock is located in the tank on the fuel gauge arm that sucks fuel through the fuel lines via the fuel pump enroute to the carb
The "tank sock" is more of an inlet "screen" than a filter. It prevents larger particulate, like rust flakes and dirt from the tank, from entering the fuel pump. Small pieces of dirt and rust flakes will jam the fuel pump check valve, which causes total loss of fuel pressure.


Lars

Little-known fact tid-bit:
Did you know that if someone sabotages your car by putting powdered sugar in the gas tank, the Q-Jet in-carb paper filter element will actually filter out the sugar and prevent it from getting into the carb and into the engine? The filter will plug up nearly solid, and the engine will exhibit fuel starvation symptoms. But the engine and carb will not be damaged if the stock in-carb filter is used.

Last edited by lars; Nov 11, 2019 at 01:03 PM.
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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 02:22 PM
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Lars....BTW thanks for all you do!

Little-known fact tid-bit:
Did you know that if someone sabotages your car by putting powdered sugar in the gas tank, the Q-Jet in-carb paper filter element will actually filter out the sugar and prevent it from getting into the carb and into the engine? The filter will plug up nearly solid, and the engine will exhibit fuel starvation symptoms. But the engine and carb will not be damaged if the stock in-carb filter is used.

I'm an older guy...'we' have always been told that that 'sugar/gas' thing was an old wives tale. Insofar that Sugar does not dissolve in Gasoline. The 'true' part is sugar dissolves in the WATER that may or may not be in the gasoline. This seems 'truer' now-a-days with the ethanol fuels we use...Ethanol absorbs PRODIGIOUS amounts of H2O.

Unkahal

Last edited by L-46man; Nov 11, 2019 at 02:22 PM.
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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 04:41 PM
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
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That's correct. It doesn't dissolve in the gas. Because it doesn't dissolve, it goes into suspension and floats around in the gas tank, getting sucked into the fuel system. This powdered sugar, if it gets past a larger-pore fuel filter, really mekes a mess out of the fuel system and the carb. I've worked on some cars where this has happened. If you have the stock in-carb filter, you only have to flush out the tank and the lines. If it gets into the carb, it gets messy...
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Old Nov 11, 2019 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
There are 3 reasons:
  1. There is simply no need for two filters. Why install unnecessary parts?
  2. Yes, I have seen multiple instances where high rpm fuel starvation problems have been caused by 2 filters having been installed in the system. The worst offenders are in-line filters installed on the suction side of the mechanical engine-driven fuel pump - these will cause problems even if there is no in-carb filter.
  3. Aftermarket in-line fuel filters installed between the pump and the carb usually involve cutting the stock steel fuel line and installing rubber fuel hoses on the pressure side of the system. Not only does it look bad, but it's not always safe. There is a reason GM went to the trouble and expense of making steel hard lines on the pressure side of the system. Particularly unsafe are those clear glass/plastic filters - many cars have been lost to those filters...
Often, people think that the in-carb filter is not adequate due to its compact size. They will remove the in-carb filter and hack in an in-line filter. Often, the in-line filters actually use the in-carb filter cartridges as the replaceable filter element, so they have gained nothing whatsoever...


The "tank sock" is more of an inlet "screen" than a filter. It prevents larger particulate, like rust flakes and dirt from the tank, from entering the fuel pump. Small pieces of dirt and rust flakes will jam the fuel pump check valve, which causes total loss of fuel pressure.


Lars

Little-known fact tid-bit:
Did you know that if someone sabotages your car by putting powdered sugar in the gas tank, the Q-Jet in-carb paper filter element will actually filter out the sugar and prevent it from getting into the carb and into the engine? The filter will plug up nearly solid, and the engine will exhibit fuel starvation symptoms. But the engine and carb will not be damaged if the stock in-carb filter is used.
Great Information, Much appreciated Lars.

I actually do have an choking issue when approaching high RPM, most likely a inline filter. Will be replacing all the lines soon as I will be moving to a new frame.

Thanks Again, Spencer
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