As we all know you can get bad diesel and then here comes the repairs. We are lucky since a 7.3 can handle some bad fuel.

I would like to add a Racor pre-pump. I say this new one from Racor Racor 110AS

I like that it is all metal, I don't want the old glass type water separator. Only thing is this one has 1/4 fittings, should I try and find one with 3/8 fittings

 

Many of us use the PS120. It has a clear plastic housing around the filter which is goof for quick visual inspections. It uses the 3/8 NPT fitting size.

Racor PS120-02 - PS120 Series Strainer/Prefilters - Mobile Fuel Filtration

 

I think you will be causing yourself a lot of potential restriction with the 110. It is a 2 micron filter that only flows 15gph. The 120 is 200gph and filters 200-260 microns which is all you need pre-pump. If you try that 110, I think you are going to restrict your fuel and create a problem for your pump.

 

^^^^X2^^^^

When you do the math, 15 gph seems like it is plenty. However, that is with a mostly pristine filter. At 2 microns that filter is going to become restricted reasonably quickly. Add some contamination, mountains, and or towing and that is a recipe for problems.

And, as pointed out above, the ability to visually inspect for water and air is really nice.

 

I've got 10,000+ miles on a 1-micron CAT spin on filter pre-pump and not a hint of a problem. Everyone said the same thing when I installed mine, but it has not come to pass. I carry a spare behind my back seat, it is 5 or so years old now,

 

Not to minimize waht you're saying, but how BIG is the CAT filter you are using?

 

Well, consider yourself fortunate in that, you must have access to cleaner fuel than I do and I buy fuel from truck stops unless I fail to plan properly. I am getting ready to clean my filter today because, after a visual, I have about a dozen 1/4 to 1/2" pieces of straw in the pre-pump Racor 120. What made it through? Additionally, my fuel pressure alarm is going off which prompted the visual. I will also change the main filter as well. I just did all of this two months ago. How does this happen??? Maybe it is the back woods maintenance at some of the stations in Appalachia. This ain't the first time...

 

Also, I'd be interested in the part number for the filter and mount as I am getting ready to install a pre-pump filter on another truck.

After thinking about this a bit, I guess if the CAT filter is large enough/has enough surface area for filtration, then that should be taken into consideration and then maybe it is an apples to apples comparison.

DanV beat me to it.

 

For reference, our stock pump is capable of about 32-34 GPH.

 

Yeah, it's the 15GPH COMBINED with the 2 microns that has me concerned. If you have enough GPH, there is nothing wrong with 2 micron filtration, but cutting the fuel flow in half, I wouldn't do it...

 

Thanks again, saved me from making a big mistake. I don't like the clear glass or plastic, worried about a road hazard hitting it. Will try and find a all metal one

 

Well, I have searched and I cannot find the 1 micron filter that "nlemerise" is referring to above; however, I did find this: https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/1R-0749 which is rated at 2 microns and probably has enough surface area within the media inside the filter to allow sufficient flow.

Maybe he could verify that this is the correct one.

Short of that, it is all metal if you must have that. However, the poly carbonate clear portion of the Racor 120 is more puncture resistant than that thin metal in my opinion.

 

Yeah... think very thick football helmet. The brass fittings will break off and the transfer case is in deep peril before that thick polycarbonate gives way to impacts.

When Mythbusters was on the air, they used thick sheets of polycarbonate for bullet-proof shielding during their experiments.

 

Will order today, any other items needed like fittings or other items?

 

My apologies to all, it is a 2 micron absolute 1R-0749 CAT filter and does NOT strip water (11" x ~4" diameter)...don't laugh, you'll be old someday too (if you're lucky ). Here is my original thread on the filter. I would say about puncture resistance...I live 10 miles down a dirt/rock road. I tucked it up on the inside of the frame rail and have yet to come close to a dent, let alone a puncture. The filter is spec'ed for a 3408 CAT, 520 HP...those babies are using fuel at 12-15 GPH (average 4-5 MPG).