I'm curious as to the factory set-up for fuel filters on your restored z/28's. Did they use the bronze ones behind the fuel inlet nut? Has anyone out there come up with a better set-up without cutting into the original steel fuel lines? I've heard that putting one ahead of the pump is NOT the hot ticket. Is there a small paper filter that will fit in a Holley behind the fuel inlet nut, perhaps the original Q-jet type? Thanks!

As I recall (faulty recall due to age), The holleys used the bronze filters at the carb. I don't THINK they had an external filter except on the BB setup. To be real honest, I worked at a dealership in those days and nevcer once ran into a bad bronze filter. I feel they are a good filter for the proper application.-

I agree with Codi about the standard filter in the Holleys being of a 'Sintered Bronze' type. They were used in many applications, both Holley and Rochester. The only drawback I have seen with these filters is that they plug rather easy at times with water. I quess the water molecules just get stuck in them. They are easy to clean - just rinse in solvent, soak in IPA (Rubbing Alcohol) and blow out with air - then the're good as new (well almost). So if water in your fuel :eek: is a problem, I would recommend the paper and change it often.
Yes, the shorter (Holley #162-518-Fram,G-3388) paper filters will fit and work fine for most applications. You can also get new metal ones from GM, Holley (#162-500) or many auto parts houses.

WHOA - my bad! redface.gif I ran by the shop tonight on the way home and double checked the filters in a 3310 setting on the work bench - The bronze filter is smaller that the two paper filters (Fram G-11 and G3388) that I compaired it to. I did find that the Holley filters (#162-500) I had are the right size and cross reference to a Fram G-13.
Sorry for the miss info earlier - hope I caught you in time!

No prob - I searched the numbers on the web and the Holley filter you mentioned looked like it was about a foot long...thanks for the update!!

Why is it a bad idea to put an inline filter ahead of the fuel pump? I have had one in this position for over 20 years. What am I missing? :confused:

Well it's sorta like trying to 'suck-out' your birthday candles - I'm sure it can be done, but it's not the most efficeint way to do it.
The pump suction must overcome the resistance of the pick-up tube (and the debris sock, if it's still there), the hose to line resrictions, then the 10+ feet of snaking fuel line and then another tube to hose to fitting resriction before getting to the pump to be pressurized to the carb.
A filter after the pump is on the pressurized side. As the filter becomes cloged with the $h!t it's supposed to catch it forms another resriction that is best to have on the 'pushin' side than the 'suckin' side.
I to have had to put the filter ahead of the engine pump before - but, usually there was a booster pump in the rear to help prevent any vapor lock problems. My favorite set-up, if the application will permit, is the BB & truck style bypass filter with a return line for any excess pressure or fuel. This is at least as good as most regulator combo's and better than many of the cheap low capacity regulators.
Out west here, where the normal summer day temp is in the 100's and your cruisin' down a highway surface that's up around 120+, vapor locking is still a real problem on older cars with only an engine mounted pump. So the standard recommendation is to mount the filter after the pump.
All that said - I've seen some wierd filter set-ups that seemed to be working just fine on that given vehicle.