VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Plastic Fuel Filter Issue

Hello Everyone,
Reading about doubling up fuel filters and using the see thru type plastic ones, reminded me of the time after fueling my motorcycle at the convenient store gas station one evening. The next morning, with a full tank, I headed out for work on the bike. After a couple of miles I arrived at the stop light next to the same convenient station. While waiting for the light to change, I got the strong smell of fuel. I looked down both sides of the tank and saw fuel pouring over the motor. I hit the kill switch and pushed off to the side of the road. Having a vacuum style petcock stopped the fuel with the motor off. I searched for the source of the leak. All the fuel lines appeared ok and the inline filter did too. Going to the other side of the bike to look I saw that that side of the plastic fuel filter was melted thru. It was not due to a heat issue and I had installed the filter months before with no problems. It had to be the fuel bought the night before. I changed to a metal and glass serviceable style inline filter from then on. I never bought fuel at that place again and would not recommend using plastic fuel filters for anything.

I have had my "plastic" filter for over 14 years with no problems. While I did describe it as plastic it is most likely some other type of man made clear nearly indestructable composite. Being under the car I think it has a better chance of survival than a glass one in the event of a rock being thrown up on a dirt road.

I also have used in-line 'plastic' filters hidden under the frame for years on both my 31 Phaeton and 31 Special sedan. Never had a problem, but I do change them once a year. I usually get them at svap meets really cheap. #18184

I managed a Chevrolet Service Dept.

As an addition to our business, we had a Motor Home franchise, as well.

Chevy frame and operational driveline were sent to Motor Home assembly plant, for installation of Motor Home body, etc.

Motor Home Co. always installed an additional inline plastic filter, between fuel pump and carb. 350 and 454 engines were used. Class A and class C bodies were used by Motor Home Company.

Once sold, and on the road, I cannot tell you how many incidents occurred, where the rubber attachment hoses would either split or break off the plastic/composite nipple of the plastic/composite filter body.

Results were gas smell or engine stalling out or engine bay fires, fires that could and did spread throughout the motor home body.

A very good reason not to use ANY fuel filter that is not mounted with a hard line and fitting attachments to the metallic filter body.

The filter I have has metal ends and only the tube is clear composite. Probably would be a good idea though to change the hoses as they are 14 years old. I have found that anytime an incomplete chassis is involved there are bound to be problems and when they develop the finger pointing battles begin.

Regarding the Motor Home Chassis, it seems the in line filter had too much "freedom" or too much "bounce", as the vehicle rolled down the highway.

For the ones that did NOT go up like a roman candle, it was obvious that the inline rubber hose to nipple connection broke the nipple, where the nipple was connected/fused to the filter body.

Other cause for leak was the "splitting" of the rubber hose, the hose connecting the steel factory fuel line to the plastic inline filter.

Either way, it was either a rubber gas hose or some type of plastic/composite filter assembly that caused the gas leaks.

With steel lines and correct threaded fittings and a metallic filter, the above issue of leakage is minimized.

I saw this poking around on the internet the other night. It came from a Hemmings link, maybe this car belongs to someone here ?

Nice simple arrangement….a 2nd glass bowl filter is plumbed just behind the stock one.