Glass Bowl fuel filters - any good?

iceblade10

Can anyone give me an education on vintage "glass bowl" fuel filters?

I saw a video someone posted on the Facebook page with one in their Hornet, and thought it looked awesome.  I know cheap modern disposable ones probably clean just about as good as anything, but I really liked the look.

My questions:

Which one to get?  There are a bunch of different types.  Is one OEM to Hudson?  I'd think Carter would make the most sense, since the carbs are Carter.  The AC ones would probably belong on GM products (mostly).

I assume the ceramic filters are washable/reusable?

Do these actually work well enough to use, or am I better off just sticking to a discreet modern one?  I also wonder if the modern corn gas affects the performance...

Geoff

 Basically, the original type glass bowl filters were just a sediment trap with a gauze filter, and work remarkably well.   The fuel enters through the centre, and any rubbish, dirt etc. will gravitate to the bottom of the bowl where it can be seen, and the delivery is through the gauze filter to the delivery port.  You will need the occasional clean-out and either a cork or neoprene gasket, but  otherwise trouble free. 

KustomKreeps

pop a magnet in the bottom if the one you have dosnt have a magnetic band in it.
helps to further take out any scale, rust or metallic crud that might be in the tank or lines.

iceblade10

Thanks for the advice, guys.  The AC version seems to be the best deal, as they are like-new and the paper filter elements seem easy to get, since they were used on Chevys...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1956-1957-58-64-CHEVY-FUEL-FILTER-ASSEMBLY-GLASS-BOWL-AC-GF48-USA-MADE-/132112434969?hash=item1ec283c719:g:Vz0AAOSwdGFYt2Qw&vxp=mtr

EssexAdv

I put my filters before the fuel pump on the passenger side frame rail. I us d to do the glass one on the carb feed tube till I figured out they acted lik a big heat magnet and caus d vapor lock.  I'm not saying yours will have the problem but if you start to notice vapor lock problems you didn't have before...think about the filter.  

Lance

Steve, I have Carter, AC and Durex. if interested, let me know.

iceblade10

KustomKreeps said:

pop a magnet in the bottom if the one you have dosnt have a magnetic band in it.
helps to further take out any scale, rust or metallic crud that might be in the tank or lines.

Interesting idea.  I see Carter actually made an aftermarket product to that effect.

Do you affix the magnet in any way, or just have it sloshing around loose on the bottom of the glass bowl...?

dougson

I've learned that the newer paper filters in the bowl filters will "load" up before standard, modern in-line filters.

iceblade10

I've discovered that you can still get the gaskets for the Carter filters.  Fel-Pro 12473 is the part number.  Only $1.52 each on Walmart.com right now, although I apparently bought the last 2!  These newly manufactured Made in the USA parts will be a big upgrade over the 60 year old NOS gasket I have, which I assume would dissolve away in a matter of days due to the ethanol... LOL.

jjbubaboy

RockAuto also lists the gaskets for $1.24 each.
Alternate part numbers as well:1320527, 630001, 90600R1, ECU9364A, F23A20.
Jeff