Help Relocating Fuel Filter to Outside Engine Bay

[Thinginator]

Hi. I have a 73 Thing and want to relocate the fuel filter to outside the engine bay (nervous about fires). I can't find a good video or much info on doing this. I'm nervous about working on it (I'm a mechnical idiot, but I'm learning) and would appreciate some help with the following. Thank you!

1) Where is the best place on the car to physically locate the filter to?
2) I'd like to use a metal filter...what is the part number/ supplier/ site where I can get the right one?
3) I want to use metal fuel lines, I think...any recommendations on what kind to use, where to get it and how to best bend it/ work with it?
3) Is there some place I can find a detailed procedure for doing this? If not, can you describe how I should remove the existing fuel lines so I don't get gas everywhere?

Thank you!!

[KAmes]

I like mine above the transmission, just my opinion. Jack up and remove the left rear tire, pinch the hose with vice grips forward of desired location to keep most of the gas in. Cut out a section of hose and put in filter with clamps. Make sure it doesn't droop low and contact the drive axles. Under the gas tank is a good, maybe even safer place but harder to maneuver my hands in there. I have the filter for the gas heater there. Carquest number is 86031. Napa has a metal one like it but I don't know the number, just ask for metal with 1/4 inlet and outlet. If your replacing hose too, always a good idea, get it all assembled and hooked up on engine end then pull the piece with the vice grips off quickly and shove it together. Wear gloves. You can ask at Napa for 1/4 metal fuel line, comes in a roll. Use a brake tubing bender and a plumbing copper tube cutter. I've used a manual kerosene pump with extra rubber hose on the end to siphon out the tank before then take fuel line loose and let remaining gas run into a bucket. Additional disclaimer, just my opinion 101 other ways to do it.

[citroen]

Just don't put it here where it was located on the last thing we tore down one of the hottest place on the thing

[GI Joe]

Oh my!!

I have one up front under the tank, as well as another above the transaxle(but not attached the the HEAT exchanger!)....

Both are visible, and easily inspected... Also fairly easy to service... As KAmes suggested, just pinch the line with vice grips, cut, and insert filter- With clamps on all ends!
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[hobie16]

This guy has the fix.

http://kelleyspeed.com/Customparts.html
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[Wildthings]

I have mine supported off the unused left side air cleaner support. It is easy to access there and does not add to the fire risk IMO. The supply line runs through an added hole in the tin and is protected by a rubber grommet and the hose from the filter to the pump is well attached and supported. The filter can be changed very easily with very little loss of fuel, no clamps and no crawling under the car needed.

Metal inline fuel filters can be had from most any FLAPS, just go to the counter and ask.

Probably time to change out your rubber fuel lines as well. Best to buy the low pressure variant of the Gates 30r14 Barracade hose or to use FI rated hose. The cloth covered style hoses in general are not suitable for today's fuels nor are traditional 30r6 and 30r7 fuel hose.

[Thinginator]

KAmes, citroen, GI Joe, hobie16 and Wildthings: Thank you so very much for the amazingly fast and very informative replies!!! Fantastic information and I really appreciate it. Based on that, I think I only have one follow-up question:

What is the best line material for the actual attachment point to the engine and tank? I assume you don't want to attach a metal line directly to the tank & engine since you can't really clamp it down easily? Or can you?

Thank you!!!!!

[KAmes]

Nope, you can't really clamp metal line, besides you want a flexible point near the engine since it moves a little on it's rubber mounts. Use 1/4 inch fuel injection hose.

[Thinginator]

Thank you KAmes - that makes sense. I'll probably take the next week or so to plan it out, get the materials, and then I think I'll make a video of it to post out there that I hope is useful. Thank you very much!!

[Mark Lewalski]

I'm getting ready today to go buy a supply of the 5mm fuel line with cloth cover to replace all the lines. Also been thinking of moving the filter to the tranny area.

But... Wildthings and KAmes say to use 1/4" FI hose?

That equates to 6.35mm ID; does that crimp good to the metal lines? It's a lot easier to get and probably a lot less expensive.

Thanks,
Mark
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'89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing

[74 Thing]

Search for "Gates 27313" hose-great hose only $2/ft at your local parts store. 1/4" inside diameter.

[KAmes]

[Thinginator]

Great info on the hoses/lines. Does anyone have a photo that shows how you positioned the fuel line from the engine down to where it leaves the engine bay? I'm interested in seeing the best exit point from the engine bay. Thank you!

[Mark Lewalski]

You can see in citroen's post photo above that the fuel line exits the engine bay through the tin next to cylinder #3.

At that point it is a metal line.

Metal line out of the frame>hose>metal line into the engine compartment>hose into fuel pump. Then (normally) fuel pump>hose>fuel filter>hose>carb.

I think that is the answer to what you are asking if I understand correctly.

Mark
_________________
'89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing

[Wildthings]

[Mark Lewalski]

Yeah, not intentional Wildthings...

Guess I was thinking of what you wrote and what KAmes wrote and crossed the two thought streams.

"Don't cross the streams!"

The 30r14 3/16 size seems more reasonable for a good connection.

Thanks,
Mark
_________________
'89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing