Where is your fuel filter located?

[DartGTDan]

The fuel filter on my '71 Dart GT, with a 318, is located between the gas tank and, just before, the mechanical fuel pump.

I've also seen a number of a-body, V8 cars (of different years) that have the fuel filter between the mechanical fuel pump and the carburetor.

Which do you think is the better location for the fuel filter, and why?

Also, because my car is a 1971, with the 1 year only goofy emissions stuff, would that play a role in the fuel filter location?

 

[Lefty71]

Regardless of the filter location and question, its best to keep ALL joints to an absolute minimum on the suction side of a pump.
So, i'd say best is between the pump and carb, and in a fashion that keeps it cool as well.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Put it between the pump and the carburetor using a filter with a return port. Having a 71 car use the emission line for the return to the tank. Using a sending unit with a return port.

 

[dr dodge]

I used to nab the A/C external suction side filters from old trucks,
and we put those on every dirt car
save us alot
"just cause it says race gas", doesn't mean it's clean gas
like this

all hard plumbed to prevent suction leaks

I've used the regular in line stuff to get old cars home w/ crappy fuel tanks, too
it's hard to see a suction leak, and that can add a vapor lock issue w/ bad connection

good luck!

 

[MoparLeo]

I think that there has always been some form of filter between the pump and carb. If not a separate inline filter, a filter like the Carter bronze/sponge type in the top of the carb, sandwiched by the fuel line to the inlet area.
Point is, you should have both. To protect the pump and to filter anything from going into the carb/engine.
AFB Which Fuel Filter to Use

 

[George Jets]

☆☆☆☆☆

 

[autoxcuda]

Hard line used as much as possible. Routed away from motor as much as possible

 

[MoparLeo]

Ditch glass and plastic filters.

 

[MopaR&D]

Hard line used as much as possible. Routed away from motor as much as possible

View attachment 1716546149

View attachment 1716546150

What is that insulating material you have on your hard lines?

To the OP, with factory-style mech fuel pump I've had flow issues with a filter on the suction side of the pump. I always put it between the pump and carb and just make sure the strainer ("sock") on the sending unit in the tank is in good shape.

 

[RustyRatRod]

They should be mounted from a 45 degree angle to vertical to allow for fuel expansion. If they are mounted horizontally, they can fill completely. If that happens, when they get hot, they can cause the fuel to be pushed past the needle and seat flooding the carburetor. That's why you want them at an angle to vertical. This gives them room for the fuel to expand. As for the WHERE, it really doesn't matter. Chrysler mounted them both between the tank and pump, as well as between the pump and the carburetor.

 

[MopaR&D]

They should be mounted from a 45 degree angle to vertical to allow for fuel expansion. If they are mounted horizontally, they can fill completely. If that happens, when they get hot, they can cause the fuel to be pushed past the needle and seat flooding the carburetor. That's why you want them at an angle to vertical. This gives them room for the fuel to expand. As for the WHERE, it really doesn't matter. Chrysler mounted them both between the tank and pump, as well as between the pump and the carburetor.

Shoot that might explain why my Duster runs funny sometimes when it gets hot/heat soaked, almost like it's sort of flooding... My filter is close to horizontal. I definitely need to try putting it at an angle!

Btw my carb is a Street Demon with the plastic body and a 1/2" wood spacer so I don't think it's boiling in the carb bowl.

 

[str12-340]

Your original filter was at the end of the tank to engine compartment line. That works great if you are using factory cast iron exhaust manifolds. It is below the exhaust system in a place that gets plenty of air from under the car. Many header systems put front pipes too close to that location and often too close to the rubber line that would replace the filter from the metal line to the pump.

 

[66fs]

Put it between the pump and the carburetor using a filter with a return port. Having a 71 car use the emission line for the return to the tank. Using a sending unit with a return port.

View attachment 1716546136

What filter is that? Thanks, Dan

 

[Icetech]

I prefer mine on top of the intake in the pic.. but on my new setup i had to move it down between the alternator and dipstick Cheap holley fuel line sticks forward way too far.. People seem to hate them but i have never had issues once it's sealed..

As for why? Cause it fits Only rule i have is no plastic or glass filters...

 

[Oldmanmopar]

What filter is that? Thanks, Dan

Found on all mopar V8's in the late 70's and early 80's's before fuel injection in 1988. Was installed due to problems with hot starts with unleaded fuel by mopar, Then fuel injection was used after that. I usually go to auto zone and get a filter for a 85 dodge ram truck.

Never have the hard start from rich fuel due to fuel suds again. From not letting the floats rise and over coming the dead ended bubbles from over flowing the carburetor Dead ending pressure has to go somewhere and while floats won't rise in boiling fuel bubbles. The fuel suds just pushies past the needle and seat. Pressure released and fresh cool fuel circulating helps this issue. Mopar had this figured out.


Part number is upside down . Always installed with the return on top, away from fuel flow.

 

[RustyRatRod]

This is the angle I have the filter on Vixen to give you an idea.

 

[69hemibeep]

As a rule of thumb a mechanical pump shouldn't pull through a filter just a sock

 

[RustyRatRod]

As a rule of thumb a mechanical pump shouldn't pull through a filter just a sock

Show where it says that in any service manual. Chrysler put filters on both sides of the fuel pump right from the factory. I think if it had made a difference, they would not have done that.

 

[66fs]

Show where it says that in any service manual. Chrysler put filters on both sides of the fuel pump right from the factory. I think if it had made a difference, they would not have done that.

My old, 64-71, cars only had a fuel filter after the mechanical pump. The sock was in the tank.

 

[Ricks70Duster340]

Show where it says that in any service manual. Chrysler put filters on both sides of the fuel pump right from the factory. I think if it had made a difference, they would not have done that.

Some 60's cars had the filter before the pump, but notice that practice was not continued afterward. Must have been a reason for that.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Some 60's cars had the filter before the pump, but notice that practice was not continued afterward. Must have been a reason for that.

Some of the later Dodge trucks had the filter before the pump. I'm not advocating one way over the other and really don't care. I'm simply saying it WAS done straight from the factory. Yall put the thing wherever you want it. You see where mine is. Right in front of the carburetor, basically in the stock location.

 

[69hemibeep]

Did I say never? And we are talking carbureted.

 

[Dart Frog]

Wherever it's convenient away from a heat source and after the mechanical fuel pump. If you have a good pump a good fuel line you'll never have a problem.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Between fuel pump and carb.

The filter is there to keep small (and larger) debris from entering the carb passages etc.

If it is before the fuel pump and the fuel pump diaphragm fails all that failure will begin your carb.

 

[DartGTDan]

Its interesting how many variations there were from the factory.

As far as I know, my car has never been tampered with and to the best of my knowledge the fuel filter is in its original location (before the mechanical fuel pump) just as @str12-340 stated.

I have heard and heeded the glass/plastic fuel filter warnings. I'm using a 5/16" metal filter, from the local O'Reilly's, and replace it every spring when the car comes out of winter hibernation.