1960s Strange part in 1960 engine bay

[jwwseville60]

What on earth is this thing above the generator?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Where do the lines go? It appears the lid is removable- did you try taking it off? Is the screw-on filter still under the engine?

[35-709]

From the looks of the fuel line routing, I would say it is an "serious" aftermarket fuel filter. 
BTW, even if I am wrong, I would replace that rubber fuel line from the pump to the carb with a steel line.  There you have a rubber line carrying pressurized fuel in the engine compartment that is subject to gasoline leaks due to cuts, abrasion, loose clamps, age, etc.  Never a good idea to have that kind of potential in the engine compartment.  My opinion.

[Michael Petti]

Tracr any lines cpmi g from it. Mt 60 has nothing there. Could it be a transmission fluid filter and/or cooler?

[Clewisiii]

Is it an aftermarket oil filter. Maybe some people did not like the change after 59.

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

It looks like a "Cool Can"....you would load that canister up with ice and gasoline on it's way to the carb would go thru a coil in that can to keep the fuel cold....

You really have to see what lines are coming and going from that can to tell.....

Mike

[35-709]

    Good call! 
Wouldn't be a bit surprised if you are right.  One way to fight vapor lock. Maybe add a little power by cooling the fuel and making it more dense, but barely noticeable other than on a dyno or the drag strip.  You can still buy those things today.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Gasket-1350-Cool-Can/dp/B000CMIXX2

[Cadillac Jack 82]

What a cool, cool can   

[Eldovert]

That looks like a discombobulator
Cheers,Pat MacPhail

[Chopper1942]

If you are going to use rubber hose for your fuel line, get rubber hose for higher pressure fuel injection lines.  they are made differently than regular fuel line.

[Paul]

That's cool! The fuel line is routed over the generator so someone was trying to keep the fuel cool and avoid vapor lock by moving the fuel line off the engine. A better solution is installing an A/C car fuel bowl with a return line to the tank- which would need the correct fuel sending unit to accept the line from the fuel bowl. This would help with vapor lock. Or - it could just be there to cool the fuel to the flux capacitor! 😜
Either way it's a cool quirk to see. Thanks for posting.