corbo62 Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 Is it worth fitting one of those glass inline fuel filters? I have a 1969 Herald 13/60 that is currently running well. When I first bought the car there was quite a bit of large black floaty detritus in the fuel pump that I cleaned out. However since then nothing new has appeared in the past 12 months. Installing a glass inline fuel filter before the fuel pump seems to be quite a popular thing to do nowadays, but I'm wondering if it's worthwhile. My fuel pump has a wire mesh in it that seems to prevent any nasties getting to the carburettor, so is the glass fuel filter a good idea? Does it catch other contaminants that the fuel pump filter would miss? Any thoughts or comments appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 I use the cheap throw away plastic paper inline filters installed before the fuel pump and its stops rust from my tank which would otherwise go to the carbs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 I also use the cheap version just before the pump. I change it when the plastic becomes discoloured, i cut open the last one I removed to see what the state was - pretty clean. At least with the glass/plastic filter you can see if there is any deposit rather than having to open the pump up to have a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 No. Glass cracks! I've seen it happen. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 (edited) club shop have been selling the glass /cleanable filters for years ive not heard of any problems plastic filters can reduce fuel flow if the pipe stub collapse under hose clip pressure and with all filters do check they have the correct bore pipe stubs to suit your hose and most fueling debris seems to be introduced after any filter especially the dreaded rubber slivers you make every time you disturb a fuel hose Pete Edited August 25, 2023 by Pete Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 (edited) I think the plastic ones are tacky and quickly look rough. I've had a glass one or 10 years, it still looks good, you can see inside it, you can clean it out and plastic are just as easily punctured as glass to break. Doug Edited August 25, 2023 by dougbgt6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 True Doug but I feel paper stops far more than plastic mesh and sorry dont agree on breaking glass compared with plastic (not keen on the original glass bowl fuel pumps for the same reason). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 29 minutes ago, Chris A said: I also use the cheap version just before the pump. I change it when the plastic becomes discoloured, i cut open the last one I removed to see what the state was - pretty clean. At least with the glass/plastic filter you can see if there is any deposit rather than having to open the pump up to have a look. Have you got the paper type filter in the right way? The flow is best towards the cone of paper so you can see whats stuck to the outside of it and no need to cut open... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratton Jimmer Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 Cheap throw away filter before the pump and a glass in-line filter just before the carbs to catch any rubber slivers. Since changing to Gates Barricade lines the latter filter has stayed clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 32 minutes ago, johny said: Have you got the paper type filter in the right way? The flow is best towards the cone of paper so you can see whats stuck to the outside of it and no need to cut open... The filter was mounted the correct way, there were markings on it. I was just curious and as the plastic was discoloured it wasn't possible to see if there was any debris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 When I changed all the flexible fuel hose on my Vitesse to gates barricade, from the club shop, earliest this year I moved the glass type filter from just after the tank to just before the carburetors. Started getting problems restarting the engine when hot after the car stood for a short while, no problems when the engine was cold, moved filter back to just after the tank and the problem disappeared. Regards Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkel Kunkel Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 (edited) Have used the glass type on a couple of very ancient non Triumph cars. No problems at all and completely solved some problems which were caused by petrol debris from aged tanks. A little care needed setting them up - to avoid over-tightening the ends as it can scrunch up the black rubber seals which might leak I suppose, - and to ensure the components are assembled in the right sequence for it to filter properly I haven’t worried about breakage given the sort of use these cars receive and careful installation should mean they are not subject to mechanical stress.The old glass bowl AC types were certainly very tough but I suppose they might break if dropped from a height onto concrete. A gadget that combines a fuel pressure regulator and a good paper filter element in a glass bowl which is very easy to change ( and might even act as a sort of fuel reservoir for cars that stand unused for a while )is the Malpassi Filter King. Mounted on the bulkhead should mean it doesn’t get all hot and bothered and get a touch of the vapours or vapour locks. Edited August 25, 2023 by Unkel Kunkel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 Wow Unkel that is a posh one! I was thinking of one of these: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted August 25, 2023 Report Share Posted August 25, 2023 Wow! Forget the club shop one, I want one of those! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 Yes if only they did a chrome version😍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 thats the same as sold in club shop Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 yes and as I say except for the chrome its a bit humble compared with Unkels all singing, all dancing jobbie😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkel Kunkel Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 Digressing a bit…I have also used the widely available type ( as suppled by the club shop) on two very old non Triumph cars (1921 and 1924 ABCs - air cooled flat twins )that I and my fellow volunteers look after. The filters seem to work very well, solving the cars’ fuel problems, that despite repeated cleaning and de-rusting and repairing the 100 year old tanks had caused frequent breakdowns and starting issues. This version of glass filter here have threaded ends for metal pipe unions but otherwise identical. The big black thing is the petrol tank.towards the bulkhead the tank incorporates a separate compartment for engine oil ( that is the other tap) The filters are easily serviced and their appearance doesn’t look too out of place - not too ‘modern’, like a disposable plastic one .. perish the thought… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 14 hours ago, johny said: Wow Unkel that is a posh one! I was thinking of one of these: That's the sort that cracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratton Jimmer Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 On 25/08/2023 at 19:56, johny said: ! I was thinking of one of these That's what I have and very good it is too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve P Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 I have a Malpassi Filter King bolted to the engine Valance on my 2.5 Vitesse, with a regulator and a Filter, not glass though. Only because the car has a Facet Silver top pump in the boot. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 (edited) I've used the glass type on a Spitfire but secured inside the boot with a section of old rubber water hose, slit along its length around it. Conveinient to check and clean out any rust particals from the tank. Personally I wouldnt feel comfotable with it exposed to the elements, under the bonnet etc. Just in case road debris, stones etc were to hit it. Very unlikely but sods law etc. Edited August 28, 2023 by Mark B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 I must be a cheap sod, I use the plastic filters and replace once a year. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 Me too cheapie plastic but I get the one with the nozzles stepped for 2 pipe sizes and cut off the smaller also the one with a right angled outlet as it fits the pump suction pipe work very neatly. No chance of breaking the plastic and condition of filter and debris easily seen and don’t have to bother cleaning also filter medium Buy them when there’s a shop 30% special off half a dozen at a time only $20 all up, does the 3 cars a couple of years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted August 29, 2023 Report Share Posted August 29, 2023 I bought a pack of filters, all see through plastic. One fitted at the tank outlet and the other just before the glass bowled pump. I can see if fuel is present and the condition of the filter. The glass bowled pump remains clean. Had loads of blockages before fitting them. No problems since. JohnD raced his car, so glass is a No there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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