Fuel Filter Replacement

Hi everyone. I’ve noticed a fuel leak around my fuel filter. I would like to replace everything from the carb to and including the black hose. Can anyone give advice on part numbers or exactly what filter and filter housing I need? Also, does anything look weird in this picture that I should know about? I’ve only had this car for a few weeks and I’m trying to fix the nasty gas smell I’ve been getting. It’s a 351C 4V on a 73 Mach1. Thanks

It's a good idea to change your fuel filter since you've just gotten your car. From your picture nothing looks abnormal.

You've got options, depending on what you're after. If you're wanting to keep your car as original as possible or want an OEM part, NPD (National Parts Depot) has a Motorcraft Fuel Filter, but you will also need to purchase the metal ring gasket...Here's the link

https://www.npdlink.com/product/fuel-filter/106739?backurl=search/products?search_terms=fuel%2Bfilter&top_parent=200001&year=1973&year=1973

If you're keeping your car as a good daily driver another good Fuel Filter is the WIX 33019, which includes all the parts you need including the metal ring gasket. Here's a link from Rockauto for that part and a picture of what came in the box when I purchased this earlier this summer.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=359865&cc=1132995&pt=6200&jsn=987

Hope this helps,
Bob

Moderator73 said:

It's a good idea to change your fuel filter since you've just gotten your car. From your picture nothing looks abnormal.

You've got options, depending on what you're after. If you're wanting to keep your car as original as possible or want an OEM part, NPD (National Parts Depot) has a Motorcraft Fuel Filter, but you will also need to purchase the metal ring gasket...Here's the link

https://www.npdlink.com/product/fuel-filter/106739?backurl=search/products?search_terms=fuel%2Bfilter&top_parent=200001&year=1973&year=1973

If you're keeping your car as a good daily driver another good Fuel Filter is the WIX 33019, which includes all the parts you need including the metal ring gasket. Here's a link from Rockauto for that part and a picture of what came in the box when I purchased this earlier this summer.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=359865&cc=1132995&pt=6200&jsn=987

Hope this helps,
Bob

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Thanks ever so much Bob. This is exactly the information I needed. Cheers!

When you replace rubber hoses on fuel lines, make sure you buy Fuel Injector grade hose. This is (somewhat) ethanol resistant at least on the inside. It's a bit more expensive per foot, but won't fall apart on you down the road.......... literally.
Also, my pet peeve, NEVER use gear clamps on anything, especially fuel lines. Always use approved clamps.
Good luck and welcome from SW Ontario.

Stanglover said:

When you replace rubber hoses on fuel lines, make sure you buy Fuel Injector grade hose. This is (somewhat) ethanol resistant at least on the inside. It's a bit more expensive per foot, but won't fall apart on you down the road.......... literally.
Also, my pet peeve, NEVER use gear clamps on anything, especially fuel lines. Always use approved clamps.
Good luck and welcome from SW Ontario.

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Okay got it. I have the proper clamps as well. They are a part of the Wix kit mentioned by the other poster. Thanks! I’m also in SW Ontario.

Stanglover said:

When you replace rubber hoses on fuel lines, make sure you buy Fuel Injector grade hose. This is (somewhat) ethanol resistant at least on the inside. It's a bit more expensive per foot, but won't fall apart on you down the road.......... literally.
Also, my pet peeve, NEVER use gear clamps on anything, especially fuel lines. Always use approved clamps.
Good luck and welcome from SW Ontario.

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The WIX kit included Fuel Hose is marked as 200 psi which I believe is fuel injector grade? I know this is one of your many areas of expertise so just verifying my assumption.

As long as you are going to be working on the fuel lines & filter, this iis a good time to check the rubber fuel lines at the fuel pump and at the fuel tank sending unit. Those rubber hoses have an inside diameter of 3/8", whereas the rubber fuel line at the fuel filter is 5/16" inside diameter. I concur with Stanglover re: using fuel injector fuel line as it is better able to resist breaking down with alcohol in the fuel. I always try to use alcohol free fuel, but once in a while I have little choice but to use fuel with ethanol - and when I do I use as little as I can.

Anyway, back to your rubber fuel lines... When the rubber fuel lines age they ge brittle, and can begin to crack. The cracking can lead to air being sucked into the fuel line, which can cause a fuel starvation issue - even if there is no obvious liquid leak from the cracking. Other times the cracking fuel line will result in liquid fuel leaks, which is obviously something we want to never experience

With respect to the leaking fuel filter on your carburetor, the new filter will have a gasket. In my experience when I have replaced old fuel filters that screw into the carburetor, the new gasket does a fine job sealing the location of the leak. When you install the new filter there is no need to overtighten the filter into the carburetor threads.If the fuel leak continues with the new fuel filter and gasket it is possible the seat where the sealing gasket goes has becomee damaged. Personally, unless it is a rare vintage carburetor I simply replace the carburetor, which can be costly, But fuel leaks of any size are not good to have. Especially when the liquid fuel leak occurs so close to the ignition distributor. I have repaired underhood fuel fires a few time back when I worked as a repair technician at a Ford dealership in SoCal. Fun times...

Moderator73 said:

The WIX kit included Fuel Hose is marked as 200 psi which I believe is fuel injector grade? I know this is one of your many areas of expertise so just verifying my assumption.

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Well I would call it "expertise", but something I've learned over the past 16 years of owning a Mustang.
I too would tend to believe the hose is F/I rated or at least ethanol resistant so should be good.

WendyB73Mach1 said:

Okay got it. I have the proper clamps as well. They are a part of the Wix kit mentioned by the other poster. Thanks! I’m also in SW Ontario.

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Gotta be somewhere near then? Mind you, SW Ontario is a HUGE area!

WendyB73Mach1 said:

Thanks ever so much Bob. This is exactly the information I needed. Cheers!

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Here’s the Before And After. Hopefully things are looking much better! The Wix kit 33019 looks good to me. These look like the proper clamps and the hose seems appropriate for fuel.

Looks like a job well done! And don't worry about that bolt hole; it's not used on our cars. I think it may be left over from earlier (1970) production 351C engines that used the shaker ram air system.

Stanglover said:

Gotta be somewhere near then? Mind you, SW Ontario is a HUGE area!

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True! I’m in London.

WendyB73Mach1 said:

Here’s the Before And After. Hopefully things are looking much better! The Wix kit 33019 looks good to me. These look like the proper clamps and the hose seems appropriate for fuel.

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Either of those clamps are good. The spring clamps make things a lot easier to change and don't leak as long as they're in the correct position, which yours appear to be.

Sheriff41 said:

Looks like a job well done! And don't worry about that bolt hole; it's not used on our cars. I think it may be left over from earlier (1970) production 351C engines that used the shaker ram air system.

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Okay thanks. Whew!

WendyB73Mach1 said:

True! I’m in London.

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Chatham.