New GF-432 filters

[mike cobine]

Has anyone had problems with the new AC GF-432 filter not sealing to the lower fuel line? I'm talking about the regular new AC GF-432 in black, not the reproduction GF-432 in red.

I bought a new GF 432 from the Delco distributor last week and it is leaking at the bottom. I have tried tightening the connection and still can't seal it.

The previous red GF-432 (quite old and used now) sealed fine.

[Joe L.]

Re: New GF-432 filters

Mike-----

I've not used one of these new filters. They have a somewhat larger OD than the originals and will not fit in the original bracket.

I did not know there was any sort of sealing problem with them, though. If there is, it must be due to some sort of deficiency in the tubing seat. Did you check yours carefully? The tubing seat must be PERFECT. If it is deformed or "scratched" in any way, it will usually leak. A small amount of conformability is provided by the soft TBW tubing, but if there is any sort of "scratch" in the tubing seat in the filter, the juncture will leak----no matter how much you tighten it.

[mike cobine]

Re: New GF-432 filters

Thanks, Joe. My tube looked ok when I took the old one off the other day. The new one also seems like it doesn't want to sit tight. Even though the fitting is tight, the tube doesn't seem solid. Not really loose, just not solid.

I'm going to stick the old one back on to try it for fit. It has been sitting dry for about 12 years after being used for several, so I'm leery of firing up the engine with it to check for leaks in case the fliter decides to come apart.

What's your opinion on firing up an old used filter just for a test like that?

And what do you think about all these NOS filters for regular use? With the way paper can come apart with age, I'm not sure if those new filters that sat on the shelf for 10, 15, or 20 years are all that good of a deal except for looks.

[Joe L.]

Re: New GF-432 filters

Mike-----

I don't see any problem, at all, with using the old filter for start up even though it's been inactive and dry for many years.

I agree that the old NOS filters are somewhat questionable as far as the integrity of the filter material goes. In most cases, I think they'll work ok, though, and be quite serviceable.

In the case of these filters, however, one can afford to be a little bit of a "risk taker". Most applications that used the GF-432 filter also used a carburetor inlet filter. So, this inlet filter serves as a "back-up". The worst thing that can happen is that the filter material in the GF-432 comes apart and clogs the carb inlet filter. This might cause fuel starvation problems, but no engine damage will result. And, it should be pretty easy to ascertain the problem and correct it. I do think that it's VERY unlikely that this is going to occur, though.

[mike cobine]

Re: New GF-432 filters

Thanks, Joe. My problem is I eliminated the inlet filter. The threads are so fragile that years ago I decided it wasn't worth the risk to change that. Now today, there are suppose to be solutions, but that won't help me in the immediate time.

I also checked the old filter and it seems lose now, also. It appears the flare has flatten, well, more accurately, the metal has become thinner on the flare than other flares. I think I'm going to cut the old flare and flare again, unless Clem can give me a clue on those copper washers for 3/8th fuel lines.

[Joe L.]

Re: New GF-432 filters

Mike----

I'd get the carb inlet fitting threads repoaired PRONTO. Once-upon-a-time I let this go for longer than I should have. It ended up that the threads finally caused the carb to leak, and I first noticed it when I was in Tonapah, Nevada. I was stuck there for 2 days until I could get the parts to make an emergency repair (i.e. self-tapping inlet fitting) to get me home.