Classic/Antique Car Repair/Fuel Filter location

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Expert: - 4/27/2010


Question
The car in question is a 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville with a 331 c.i. V-8 engine.  For reasons unknown to me, it has no fuel filter?  I have procured the correct glass bowl type filter unit.

MY QUESTION IS:  Should this filter be located before the fuel pump (between the gas tank and the fuel pump), or after (between the fuel pump and the carburetor), or does it make a difference?

My preference would be to filter the gas before it even enters the fuel pump.  

Thank you -

Answer
This vintage GM car with a Rochester carburetor used a sintered bronze filter in the inlet of the carburetor where the fuel line attaches. If you are installing a glass bowl filter is should be installed between the fuel pump and the carburetor on the pressure side of the system.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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