1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

[Mark A.]

First of all, I would like to say hi to everyone on the discussion board. I am returning to Corvette restoration after a long absence (hence my 845 member number). My return is based on a recent acquisition of 1955 (Polo White), Serial Number 1088. After spending many evenings reading the archives of this technical discussion board, I can only hope that I can contribute in some small way to the vast knowledge that you, the members possess.

To start off, I have a question regarding fuel filters. This may require a little background on #1088. I acquired it from a gentleman who had owned it for the past 45 years. Although the motor has seen a replacement block and heads, all the remaining engine components are still with the car including the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, distributor (in a box of spares with the car), carburator, etc. etc.

So, in deciding what's original and what's been replaced over the years, I have studied this car carefully and have already began the hunt for what I may be missing.

Carrying on, I see that the JM for fuel filters references an AC filter only. In addition, the parts catalog calls for part #854272. So, up comes an NOS filter on eBay (Item #300175743987) that claims to be correct for 1955 but is part #854444. Looks like an AC fuel filter, but the part # is off.

As I further study this, it just doesn't make sense to me that my fuel filter is anything but original to this car. I have the early first design Carter 2218S carburator (tagged) with the 6-1020 casting and correct choke. I also have a matching Carter fuel filter that appears to be of idential vintage, style, patina, etc. I have attached a couple of photos to illustrate what I have. Also note the orginal intake with a date code of A145 (my build date is around February 23rd).

So, where can I see or find documentation that 1955 only uses an AC filter? Am I to assume this filter to be a replacement solely because of the JM's reference to AC only filters? I'd rather keep what I have because it seams so original (IMHO), yet if it's been replaced, I'd also like to know that.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Mark A.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Here's a second picture from the side.

Thanks Again...Glad to be back.

Mark

[Mark A.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Here's a second picture from the side.

Thanks Again...Glad to be back.

Mark

[Richard M.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Hi Mark, Welcome back to restoration, and congrats on finding #1088!

I'm sure Roy'll probably solve it when he gets online(he's in CA), and Joe and others too, but before I go off for the day.....
I have a 1929-1959 original pass/truck/corvette parts book, and it shows #854444(GF-48,carb mntd) applications as:

53-59 Corv exc FI
56-58 All exc DD 6cyl FI
59 Pass w/HLcam H/perf 348 (exc 3-2bc)

I couldn't find a 854272 in any of my books????

Rich
====

[Richard M.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Hi Mark, Welcome back to restoration, and congrats on finding #1088!

I'm sure Roy'll probably solve it when he gets online(he's in CA), and Joe and others too, but before I go off for the day.....
I have a 1929-1959 original pass/truck/corvette parts book, and it shows #854444(GF-48,carb mntd) applications as:

53-59 Corv exc FI
56-58 All exc DD 6cyl FI
59 Pass w/HLcam H/perf 348 (exc 3-2bc)

I couldn't find a 854272 in any of my books????

Rich
====

[Roy B.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Your 55 Corvette uses the dome AC filter // it's even dated inside 55// even the Ford T-Bird used the same filter

[Roy B.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Your 55 Corvette uses the dome AC filter // it's even dated inside 55// even the Ford T-Bird used the same filter

[Mark A.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Roy, Do you have a part number for this filter? It appears to be different than AC #854444. As I mentioned before, I think the 1953-55 Parts Manual references #854272.

[Mark A.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Roy, Do you have a part number for this filter? It appears to be different than AC #854444. As I mentioned before, I think the 1953-55 Parts Manual references #854272.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

the "big" AC, domed filters aren't that rear. junk yards, flea markets will probably be less expensive than ebay purchase. mike

[Mike M.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

the "big" AC, domed filters aren't that rear. junk yards, flea markets will probably be less expensive than ebay purchase. mike

[Roy B.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

I'm not into numbers /have trouble remembering my phone number but there was many AC filters because of the changes over the years and many other GM cars used the same filters even Ford.
There was a large AC small AC and a flat cover small AC and so, but what I showed is what your 55 Corvette should look like.
(dome top large AC)

Also this is the correct original fuel filter used (red in color) not others on e-bay saying their's is correct if it don't look like this.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

I'm not into numbers /have trouble remembering my phone number but there was many AC filters because of the changes over the years and many other GM cars used the same filters even Ford.
There was a large AC small AC and a flat cover small AC and so, but what I showed is what your 55 Corvette should look like.
(dome top large AC)

Also this is the correct original fuel filter used (red in color) not others on e-bay saying their's is correct if it don't look like this.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Mark------

From what I can tell, GM #854272 was the fuel filter used for 1955 Corvettes. At least, it was IF, in those ancient days, they described fuel filter ASSEMBLIES as "FUEL STRAINER ASSEMBLIES". If the term "fuel strainer assembly" meant something else (e.g. it was some sort of component of the fuel filter assembly), then I don't know what to say. In any event, the GM #854272 was discontinued on July 1, 1956 and replaced by GM #987500 which was subsequently discontinued without supercession in April, 1969. I can find no information, whatsoever, on GM #987500, though.

GM #854347, aka AC GF-124, is the fuel filter ELEMENT used right from the outset and it's still available today. Of course, the part available today is configured somewhat differently from the originals, but, functionally, it must still conform to GM specs for the original part or specs as amended since that time.

GM #854444 is a fuel filter ASSEMBLY that was cataloged for MANY years for 1955 Corvette applications. That does not mean that it was the original filter assembly used in PRODUCTION, though; it just means that it was a SERVICE filter assembly applicable to 1955 Corvettes (as well as many other applications). It is no longer available.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1955 Fuel Filter AC vs. Carter

Mark------

From what I can tell, GM #854272 was the fuel filter used for 1955 Corvettes. At least, it was IF, in those ancient days, they described fuel filter ASSEMBLIES as "FUEL STRAINER ASSEMBLIES". If the term "fuel strainer assembly" meant something else (e.g. it was some sort of component of the fuel filter assembly), then I don't know what to say. In any event, the GM #854272 was discontinued on July 1, 1956 and replaced by GM #987500 which was subsequently discontinued without supercession in April, 1969. I can find no information, whatsoever, on GM #987500, though.

GM #854347, aka AC GF-124, is the fuel filter ELEMENT used right from the outset and it's still available today. Of course, the part available today is configured somewhat differently from the originals, but, functionally, it must still conform to GM specs for the original part or specs as amended since that time.

GM #854444 is a fuel filter ASSEMBLY that was cataloged for MANY years for 1955 Corvette applications. That does not mean that it was the original filter assembly used in PRODUCTION, though; it just means that it was a SERVICE filter assembly applicable to 1955 Corvettes (as well as many other applications). It is no longer available.