I have done business with JC Auto and they do seem to carry high quality merchandise. I have had success cleaning the element (it is actually made out of a ceramic) with compressed air blown from the inside. Do not expose it to water. I have heard that the element can become hopelessly clogged, but I have yet to encounter this. Be sure to rinse out the bowl and clean off the spring, too, before putting everything back together. I am thinking that the gasket must be made out of something other than rubber since, as mentioned earlier, it wouldn't have lasted so long if it actually was rubber. Could it be neoprene? The material does resemble rubber. Be sure to also wipe out the inside of the metal holder where the gasket goes, and wipe off the gasket itself. Crumbs of debris will keep the bowl from sealing tightly to the gasket. If the gasket, the element, or the glass bowl appear to be damaged, by all means replace them. Paul In a message dated 2/24/2004 4:28:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, JCantor791 writes: > > > Wow! Lots of great help and suggestions - thanks to everyone who responded. > > Here's what I've learned so far along with a new question. > > There appear to be two sources that may actually carry the stone filter > elements: Valley Vintage Auto Parts and JC Auto. The folks at my local NAPA >store > were very familiar with the stone filters but could not locate them for me. > I've submitted a request to NAPA's online help center and am awaiting a reply. > > Paul - you suggested that the stone filters last much much longer than the > paper ones and can be cleaned. This doesn't surprise me but I'm wondering >what > the best cleaning procedure is. > > Someone suggested replacing the gasket due to swelling concerns with modern > fuel so I went back and checked the gasket condition. It does not look the > least bit out of shape; no bulging against the housing so I would say it is >still > okay. It certainly seals very well and I've had the thing apart four times > now. > > Jeff > '56 Sedan > Trenton, NJ > >