question about changing fuel filter

76 Olds 455 engine, 4bbl carb

The fuel filter is easy to get to, on the front of the carburetor. It's a
small paper cylinder, open on one end, closed on the other end. There are a
couple of fittings to unscrew then the fuel filter inserts into a small
metal tube. One end of the tube goes into the carburetor, the gas line from
the fuel pump connects to the other end. There's a spring to hold the fuel
filter in place, under some tension.

I didn't take it off the car, somebody else did, or I wouldn't have this
problem. If I had taken it off, then I would know how it is supposed to go
back together. There are 4 possibilities, and 3 of them must be wrong!

There is no indication on the fuel filter which end goes in which direction.
My guess is that the open end goes towards the fuel pump line, the closed
end goes towards the carburetor. Correct?

I'm guessing the spring goes on the carburetor side, to press the fuel
filter against the intake line from the fuel pump. Correct?

This is my first visit to this group, and hope this is an appropriate
question.
Thanks.

"My guess is that the open end goes towards the fuel
pump line, the closed end goes towards the carburetor.
Correct?

I'm guessing the spring goes on the carburetor side,
to press the fuel filter against the intake line from
the fuel pump. Correct?
Yes and Yes. I had the same mental question a couple
of weeks ago when I took my fuel line off the carb.
It was cold and I wasn't watching closely, so when it
came time to reassemble, I had some figuring to do.
You probably know to use a two wrenches for putting
it back on. careful you don't twist the fuel line.
....thehick

"thehick" > wrote in message
oups.com...
: "My guess is that the open end goes towards the fuel
: pump line, the closed end goes towards the carburetor.
: Correct?
:
: I'm guessing the spring goes on the carburetor side,
: to press the fuel filter against the intake line from
: the fuel pump. Correct?
: Yes and Yes. I had the same mental question a couple
: of weeks ago when I took my fuel line off the carb.
: It was cold and I wasn't watching closely, so when it
: came time to reassemble, I had some figuring to do.
: You probably know to use a two wrenches for putting
: it back on. careful you don't twist the fuel line.
: ...thehick

Thanks a million!
Also, thanks for the caution, which comes a few years too late...
I already twisted the fuel line, a long time ago, but not too badly. It
still connects OK. I know how to do it correctly with the 2 wrenches now -
very slow, easy, and careful.
Herbie

"Herbie" > wrote in message ...

> Thanks a million!
> Also, thanks for the caution, which comes a few years too late...
> I already twisted the fuel line, a long time ago, but not too badly. It
> still connects OK. I know how to do it correctly with the 2 wrenches now -
> very slow, easy, and careful.
> Herbie

As I remember, some of those fittings into the carburetor were very bad
about
stripping the threads when you were trying to get them back together. There
were repair kits sold in auto parts stores to help you get back in action
after
you had screwed up the casting.

This is from memory, but I believe it is accurate.

wrote:

> As I remember, some of those fittings into the carburetor were very bad
> about
> stripping the threads when you were trying to get them back together. There
> were repair kits sold in auto parts stores to help you get back in action
> after
> you had screwed up the casting.
>
> This is from memory, but I believe it is accurate.

You've got a good memory and, yes, it is accurate. First off, the
proper way to change this fuel filter is to use a tubing wrench on the
fuel line and a regular open end wrench on the nut that screws into the
carb. (Forgot the size on this) Hold the big nut with the open end
wrench so that it doesn't turn and then use the tubing wrench to
unscrew the fuel line. The tubing wrench is important because the fuel
line is easy to "round off" by using a real wrench. Once the fuel line
is disconnected, unscrew the big nut that screws into the carb and
VIOLA, you have your fuel filter. Replace fuel filter and reverse the
order to reassemble. Now here's the bad part. The fuel line is easy to
round off like previously mentioned. Also, the big nut is easy to strip
threads when screwing back into the carb.
There were/are repair kits for the big nut, but they involved an
oversized threaded part that wasn't meant to ever be taken out again. I
once had a persistant leaker that the final fix was to JB Weld the nut
into the carb. Of couse, in that case you leave the fuel filter
completely out and then you install an in-line fuel filter in the
rubber hoses down by the fuel pump. A much better and bigger filter,
BTW. Also easier to change later on and it gives you a better peace of
mind.

This was not one of GM's better ideas.

Kruse wrote:

>
> You've got a good memory and, yes, it is accurate. First off, the
> proper way to change this fuel filter is to use a tubing wrench on the
> fuel line and a regular open end wrench on the nut that screws into the
> carb. (Forgot the size on this) Hold the big nut with the open end
> wrench so that it doesn't turn and then use the tubing wrench to
> unscrew the fuel line.

Actually, the best thing to do is simply cut the fuel line about an inch
or 2 back from the fitting. Then install a see thru inline gas filter as
a primary filter. When you need to change the little filter at the carb
(which won't be very often) you simply unscrew the whole thing - you
never have to mess with unscrewing that line fitting again.

-jim

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