Fuel tank screen/prefilter

[ZGjethro]

I have recently pulled my tank due to a fuel leak. I found out that the fuel pick up tube has no filter on it. It is out of a 1952 truck, and is shaped like an upside down question mark. My question is, is anyone running a filter or sock on the end of the fuel pickup? I am going to install a filter before the electric pump which is just forward of the gas tank, but was thinking a courser filter in the tank might be a good idea. I would rather have a brass or stainless steel filter there than nylon or plastic.

[w30bob]

Hi ZG,

You've got the early style pickup, which is just a curved tube. I guess I'm wondering just how dirty the fuel is you plan to use? If the tank is clean and you buy your gas from a commercial gas station I'm not seeing why you need so much filtration....or anything more than a canister filter before the electric pump. Have you had bad experiences with dirty fuel?

regards,
bob

[Elwood]

You can purchase the entire pickup plate and later style straight tube with an improved stainless filter from John Bizal at Midwest Military (http://www.midwestmilitary.net).

[ZGjethro]

Hi ZG,

You've got the early style pickup, which is just a curved tube. I guess I'm wondering just how dirty the fuel is you plan to use? If the tank is clean and you buy your gas from a commercial gas station I'm not seeing why you need so much filtration....or anything more than a canister filter before the electric pump. Have you had bad experiences with dirty fuel?

regards,
bob

Bob, I had the tank repaired, and I lined it just recently. I have to say, the tank looked really clean on the inside. There was a little rust where it rusted through, but nothing in the main center area. I have had no problems with sediment, but I am not sure how fractured/cracked or flaking epoxy (liner) might affect the motor. It is probably a moot point.

[ZGjethro]

Elwood, I finally found that part on John's site, on page 11. It was $60 for the filter and tube, not counting the top plate. My parts have some light rust, but they are pretty good all in all. I was hoping for a cheaper option to replacing good parts. An in tank filter might not even be needed. It has lasted the last 60 years without one, and I will have a better filter at the electric pump soon.

[pwrwagonfire]

Elwood, I finally found that part on John's site, on page 11. It was $60 for the filter and tube, not counting the top plate. My parts have some light rust, but they are pretty good all in all. I was hoping for a cheaper option to replacing good parts. An in tank filter might not even be needed. It has lasted the last 60 years without one, and I will have a better filter at the electric pump soon.

My fuel pickup plate (got a new one from VPW) has no filter. I added an inline filter under the hood in an easily accessible spot. I make sure to change it every time I do an oil change, no issues so far!


-T

[m37jarhead]

Any kind of filter, in the tank or before the manual or electric pump is a good idea, but filtered fuel from
the tank is only part of the solution. If you still have the old steel fuel lines, you'll have rust and crud
in the old lines that needs to be filtered before it gets to the mechanical fuel pump on the engine and
before it gets to the carb.
Multiple filters, strategically located, will cure that problem. The plastic, in-line, see thru filters are
cheap and easy to install and replace. They'll save you a mountain of fuel related headaches.
Jerry

[pwrwagonfire]

Any kind of filter, in the tank or before the manual or electric pump is a good idea, but filtered fuel from
the tank is only part of the solution. If you still have the old steel fuel lines, you'll have rust and crud
in the old lines that needs to be filtered before it gets to the mechanical fuel pump on the engine and
before it gets to the carb.
Multiple filters, strategically located, will cure that problem. The plastic, in-line, see thru filters are
cheap and easy to install and replace. They'll save you a mountain of fuel related headaches.
Jerry

Agreed 100%. I used NAPA 3011 plastic filters...they cost $3.99, common, easy to replace and easy to see if they are filling up with sediment.


-T

[w30bob]

Might be just me.......but if I had fuel lines that were shedding rust and crud.............I'd replace the fuel lines.

regards,
bob

[ZGjethro]

I have a clear glass filter at the carb. It has been three years, and I don't see any sediment in it. I don't have reason to think my lines have rust, or are shedding rust.