I was doing some tuning on my 73 and noticed that the glass inline fuel filter I had that was between the carb and pump seemed to be only filling about a third of the way and had a huge air pocket in it. it was a little dirty so I took it out and cleaned it really well. seemed to fill a little more but still only about half way and still a lot of air. So started to do a little web checking and found know one who like the things. everything from sucking air to breaking and starting fires..that can't be good.
So I went and got a universal filter and located a nice spot in the frame where there was a section of 3/8 tubing between the metal lines and plugged it in. ( my old for van had one like that ) took out the glass filter and just ran a hard line from pump to carb.
I was just courious if any one else has had problems with this type of filter. it didn't leak but was told they could still suck air without leaking..anyway, its gone.
have a great week..marty

 

I never had a problem with the glass inline fuel filter I had, but that was a long time ago (like 25-30 years) so I can't vouch for the ones being made now.

 

I never had a problem with them either. Heck, many mechanical fuel pumps had glass sediment bowls on them for years and years, never heard of one of those breaking and causing a problem. If a person were to pick the location for a glass inline filter carefully and secure the filter with zipties so that is couldn't move and hit anything (and so nothing could hit it as well) then I don't see a problem from a safety standpoint.

They must not be as big an issue as people make them out to be or the companies who make them would have all been sued by now and discontinued making them...

As for them sucking air, they're usually put inline between the pump and the carb, so there's pressure there, not suction. If they leaked, they'd be dripping or spewing fuel, not sucking air.

Fuel filters usually trap a little bit of air in them. Remember, with a carbed system, your pump is only putting out something like 5-7 PSI which really isn't a lot as far as evacuating every bit of air from the system. With a metal inline filter, you can't see the trapped air like you can with glass filter, so people don't have problem with it. And even with a clear plastic filter, you should be able to see some trapped air inside but those filters tend to be a bit semi-opaque so its not as easy to see as the glass ones, and I don't think people use them as often as the good ol' metal ones anyway.

I think it's just another case of a few people who make suppositions and everyone else jumps on the bandwagon. I wouldn't stress over it needlessly...if I had one of them and wanted to use in a certain application, I probably would as long as I took the precautions I mentioned above.

 

thanks for the input Dan, It seems that every time I look up something on the web I get the negative responces. guess if folks are not having issues they just don't say so. really was just looking to see if air in the filter was normal and came across all the negative stuff. I use a stock mechanical fuel pump and had the filter between the pump and carb as you said. never leaked that i could see. wasn't going to hit anything where it was either. I should have come here for info before I did anything. but only spent less then 10 bucks to put in good ole metal filter..now its filtering before the pump..always get straight up good advise here. thanks again Dan...have a great day my friend..marty