1960s Fuel Filters and Judging

[Clewisiii]

Today I happened to find a person selling a bunch of GM fuel filters for cheap.

I managed to buy three Air Conditioning version fuel filters.

She had a lot of other filters with the original style elements in them. Are those cleanable and reusable. Are they required for authenticity judging. I may go back by and ask to ust buy some elements out of her filters.

[Clewisiii]

I had already purchased all the correct filters for my car that I could.

At $20 a piece it is almost worth it to buy the others just for the glass and harp retainers.

[Big Fins]

The paper filters are readily available still. The housings however are not...until now.

[Clewisiii]

The paper filters are readily available still. The housings however are not...until now.

That is the point. The original filter element is not paper. Does having the original or new paper element affect judging.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Wasn't the original element a stone type material? 

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I've located the stone type filter as mentioned.  See below:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387119249367

[Big Fins]

Wasn't the original element a stone type material? 

To be honest, I've never seen anything but paper.  Not in the clear bowls as you indicate. The stone filters, which were in the housings in the eary 70's is all I remember.

[dn010]

My 1965 Sedan Deville with AC had a stone filter in it which was believed to be original. Not that it really matters since it doesn't answer the question about judging, perhaps someone has an authenticity or judging manual with the answer?

[Clewisiii]

Well I went back and started to take used filters out of some of the filter housings. But then she said I have loose ones and pulls out a box of filters.

I ask for one in a box and three more just in the wrapping. And this is the way they are wrapped in the box.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

My question is are they still viable after all these years?  My fear is small grains getting into the carb and according to an old carb guy here if the accelerator pump sticks its an engine fire waiting to happen.

[Jon S]

The paper filters are readily available still. The housings however are not...until now.

Paper elements are not correct. The factory used "stone" elements.

[Jon S]

I've located the stone type filter as mentioned.  See below:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387119249367

Close but the original stone elements were beige not red. This is a close replacement.

[papas52cad]

Hello clewisiii
Wow that seems like quite a find. I hVe always thought those type filters were so nice looking. My 52 fleetwood retrofitted with a 390 from 1960 does not have the glass style  - solid metal- same design otherwise... ( i never checked to see what is correct for that year) but would you consider selling one? Just for nostalgia purposes. 
I live in NY.
Where r u in Michigan, our cousins live in Plymouth.
Enjoy your weekend
Pete

[David King (kz78hy)]

As a CLC judge, in perfect world, it would matter to have the correct sintered filter, so I would recommend getting one and using it.  They were meant to be cleaned and reused.  In practice, judges are pushed to get a car completed in under 45 minutes, so depending on what catches your eye for authenticity, that is a detail item easily overlooked unless already on the radar to look for it.

Judging is tough gig to do it properly.

[59-in-pieces]

Apart from the fact that the original filters were the stone type, and not paper, there were 2 different designs of the stone filters depending on if the car had a 4 barrel carb or a tri-power set-up.
Also, the use of the different designs, based on with a hole or not and the gaskets provided, the type depended its use on an A/C or non-A/C car.
Check out the Master Parts Book for more clarity.

Have fun
Steve B.

[Jon S]

This will probably open up a can of worms, but as I stated above, the factory installed stone filters were beige/tan not red. I have both:

[Clewisiii]

I am happy enough with a period correct service part.