Fuel Filter Insert -'56

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

Yes, there is a rubber gasket. Believe it or not, that gasket is also reusable. 
If you are really careful, it will last for many, many years. The new filter 
element comes with the gasket. The glass bowl is held in place with a metal 
"bail" that has a screw in the bottom that when tightened it pushes the glass 
bowl up against the gasket. Even when the gasket is really old, the glass can 
be seated against it well enough not to leak. It was a great design. You can 
even see the dirt inside the bowl without taking anything apart. 

I have had my '56 since 1972 and I still have the same gasket and element that 
it had when I bought the car. I may have to change it the next time that I take 
it apart, but when I worked on the '55 in 1997, I was able to reuse the gasket 
and that car hadn't been touched in over 35 years. It really is amazing! Some 
things were made to last!

Paul

In a message dated 2/23/2004 10:21:09 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
jsadowski@xxxxxxx writes:

> Isn't there a gasket there that needs to be replaced when you open up the 
>bowl for cleaning?
> John
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: RandalPark@xxxxxxx 
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 5:39 PM
> Subject: Re: IML: Fuel Filter Insert -'56
> 
> 
> The filter doesn't need to be changed as often as a normal fuel filter, but 
>it should be cleaned and the bowl rinsed out occasionally (especially if the 
>gas is bad). 
> 
> I bought an extra element and have kept it in the glove compartment for the 
>last 20 years. The original element is still functioning fine. I rinse out the 
>bowl when it has an accumulation of dirt in the bottom of the bowl. I suppose 
>it wouldn't hurt to start with a fresh filter element, but you probably will 
>not need another one for the rest of your life.
> 
> Paul
> 
> In a message dated 2/23/2004 5:54:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, JCantor791 
>writes:
> 
> > 
> > 
> > Spent the afternoon yesterday doing that great man/car bonding thing.  Boy 
>is 
> > it fun working on an old car!
> > 
> > I changed the oil and oil filter, cleaned the air cleaner and refilled it 
> > with fresh oil, replaced the worn front wheel bearings (did the other side 
>just 
> > to keep them even) and toyed around with the fuel filter.  My car still has 
>the 
> > original glass fuel filter housing with a stone filter insert.  Attempts so 
> > far to locate a replacement insert - either stone or paper element - have 
> > failed.  Since the housing is in very good shape and doesn't leak and all 
>of the 
> > fuel lines under the hood are in good shape (and still all steel), I'd like 
>to 
> > leave the configuration the same rather than replacing it with a modern 
>inline 
> > filter.  Does anyone have any suggestions?
> > 
> > I've tried Kanter and Andy Bernbaum both of whom could not help me.  I'm 
> > going to go looking on the Hemmings site but it was down earlier today.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > Jeff
> > '56 Sedan
> > Trenton, NJ
> > 
> >