fuel filter

[50j]

I'd think the filter manufacturers would know how it should be installed. A simple fuel pressure gauge would let you know if there's a problem with fuel flow somewhere.

[zeroracing]

The spring serves to keep pressure on the closed end of the filter, keeping the open end with the small seal against the engine side of the filter housing. They use a spring to keep this pressure as well as work as a spacer. The reason they use a spring over a machines spacer is it auto adjust to manufacturing differences in suppliers and is cheap to buy. Why machine a spacer when a .50 spring will do the same job.

If your getting enough debris in your filter to plug it you either need to clean it out more often, screen your fuel when you fill it up or clean out the cell. Their is no reason you should plug one up. If you have that much trash going through it will plug up the pump or carb if it goes on anyways.

The final note about fuel flow, which one flows more? What does it matter a gas powered open late model gets more than enough fuel from the filter installed correctly, heck an open car on methanol does also. If your cutting it close on your fuel requirements then you need to look at less pressure head loss like hard polished lines, larger radius fittings, special inlet device... All of which is not needed.

I cannot find a reason why you would want to run it closed side to the motor, been there and seen guys have issues with them with spring on either end, closed in toward motor just does not make sense. Now it could work, not right but could work if you put a very stiff spring in it, 3-4 x as stiff as the standard and kept that open end pinned against the wall.

If you use the standard spring and plan is once it plugs it will compress the spring and let fuel bypass... Probably the resistance of the filter itself is enough to do this and your bypassing most of the time anways.

[50j]

Exactly how I see it. Installed like the manufacturers recommend with the closed end and spring toward the cell and the open end toward the engine, I have never had a single issue with it. That includes methanol, and of course a stainless element. I've seen plenty of problems with them put together other various ways. I hope the manufacturers aren't in a hurry to be edjumicated because they work fine.

[cheaterleaddog]

These filters were originally designed for gas pump filters at gas station(they are still used on the filler hose today not to be confused with break away valve for the person who drives off with hose in the car still.) and the spring was to allow to bypass a plugged filter just like the OEM spring and filter inside a Rochester carb. For racing applications the spring and closed end of the filter goes towards fuel cell.

[Lizardracing]

Now that's making sense. It's embarrassing to drive away with the hose still in the car. Now why can't someone design a way to fill up without stopping like the airplanes do? Wouldn't that add something to NASCAR? The "No Stop Pit Stop?"

[Matt49]

There's no hope for NASCAR but I'm sure they'll try something like that.

[25drtrkr]

Now that's making sense. It's embarrassing to drive away with the hose still in the car. Now why can't someone design a way to fill up without stopping like the airplanes do? Wouldn't that add something to NASCAR? The "No Stop Pit Stop?"

They did, way back in the early 60's. My dads Nascar team was hired by Ford to test the new Falcon at DIS.They had to run around the track for 24 hrs straight.My dad actually drove the re-fueling car setup just like an airplanes refueling system.The factory stock Falcon ran flawless and set a world record at the time.I guess that's my claim to fame!