I've had several glass filters fail and seep over the past few years. Tried a non-glass one as well and had minor seeps.

Question is: What filtered the fuel originally in our birds, and if there wasn't one, is there a NEED for one now? The less clamps on my main fuel line the better.

There is a filter inside the fuel inlet on the Q-jet.

Nash...I believe the stock Rochester Q Jet had a small filter inside the carb at the fuel inlet...And...YES, the fuel filter is needed to keep the small particles of dirt and what not from entering the small metering passages in the carb. I'm a Holley man myself so I run one of those in line fuel filters, the clear plastic ones.

You can get higher end ones that are in line, and are changable inside an aluminum canister so to speak. They come in a variety of finishes... and there are other types also. Many take out the Q-Jet filter if they run an in line filter. I've been using the glass one myself with out problems... so far!

Nice to see you around Q!

Brett!

Rochester and Carter Q-jets used a sintered bronze filter element in the carb body. These filter out the smallest of contaminates. The problem that occurred with them is when servicing the filter. The inlet fitting would get cross threaded or over tightened. I have a Q-jet that this happened to, and the PO sealed it with epoxy. They can be rethreaded with a Helicoil thread repair kit. The other problem would be loosing the spring to keep the filter against the inlet fitting. I prefer using this type of filter. It eliminates the in line filter for a less cluttered look, and place for fuel to leak.

Tom

Just back from a week in England. Hope to stay in town for a while.

There are several versions of the inside filter, from pleated paper to sintered bronze. The biggest problem with them is that they are relatively small in area, and need to be removed and cleaned often. This can result in cross-threading (as mentioned above) which is a PITA to fix.

Otay Spanky!

So, you all are telling me that there was not an FGF or F-Body fuel filtering system, that this was always done by the carb manufacturer. I figured such, but wanted to hear it from you all.

I recall my FG Camaro being different, and me buying some monstrous canister for the fuel line system for my '68, installed prior to the pump. It was the size of a small can of beer, if I remember correctly. :p

I encountered the old "stripped filter housing in the Q-jet" problem. They make repair kits, as previously mentioned. I added an inline filter(mini beer keg) as shown:

[img]http://members.aol.com:/gsv4041/fuelFilter[/img]

Not "original" but, it works for me.

I had a leaky glass one, too. The leaks were at the joints for the interchangeable nipples. I replaced it with a glass filter with permanent nipples and no more leaks. That way I'm still able to see the air bubbling into the filter so I can worry about that.

Ah, but there is another filter in our first gen fuel delivery systems; there is a 'sock like' filter bag over the inlet inside the gas tank. I have seen it many times when the sock gets ripped due to weaking from age and rust. When the sock gets ripped it actually traps particals inside the sock and it becomes a detriment instead of a helping factor. The regular metal can filters work great and can collect ten times the amount of particals a stock in-carb filter can. I like the way Greg has his.

Your right Jim. The last time I had my sender out the sock was ripped half off. I did put a canister filter and hose on the end temporarily. My tank is toast, and I plan on replacing it and the sender after Uncle Sam gives me some of my money back.

Tom

See, you guys are making me feel better. Knew there was some sort of filtering going on from the factory. Where is the "sock"?

Greg, your filter AND your hand are monstrous, my friend. You are scaring people. Let me know when your business travels bring you back this way. We owe you a big steak dinner (after Lent, of course).

When I bought mine it came with a plastic see thru filter....hearing about cracking ,fires etc, I replaced with a metal filter just like Greg has in his pic, almost identical location too....good placement , because fan blows on it for extra coolness...

even though there is the sock in the tank...

Nash , the sock is on the end of the pick up tube from the sending unit in the gas tank!

and my Holley aslso has built in filters...

I had one of those glass see-thru filters come apart on me one time while I was in the fast lane. By the time I got over to the other shoulder and popped the hood(idiot)the whole motor was blazing. Luckily some one stopped with an extinguiser and put it out before it traveled into the pass compartment. I run a barrel type now too. If you don't like the looks of it there you could put it right before the fuel pump. Pretty much hidden down there.

Robert

Greg's Garage is the way to go with a filter.
Use a long style inlet nut without the internal filter for some extra fuel on initial WOT.

One of the first things I damaged as a young guy doing routine car maintenance on my car was that fitting for the internal Rochester filter. That sick feeling that comes from damaging your daily transportation during a simple task was memorable. Several years later the repair would lead to an engine fire too but that is another story.

Hey Jimmy...I notice you're from Illinois...Are you anywhere near Springfield?

I'm up north of Chicago. Interesting though, my '68 was ordered from a Springfield dealer.

I just thought you were in or around Springfield, IL as I purchased my 68 project coupe from a Robert Morrow, who lives in Springfield.