56 Johnson 15HP fuel filter

[tjandrews]

I've written about this motor before, a gift from a fishing camp owner that I've been working on for the last couple of weeks. I just finished the conversion to a fuel pump system, and it works great - in a barrel. I don't dare open 'er up though, since it threatens to throw all the water out of the barrel if I get it past about 3/4. It needs to go on a boat, but that will have to wait until I get the transom board on the boat replaced. Wouldn't do to have that old rotten board give way and dump everything overboard, now would it?

Anyway, as I was working on the new fuel system, I noticed that the filter had been removed from the bowl under the carb. So, I need to install a filter, but it seems to me that it ought to be before the fuel pump, rather than after it - as it would be if I just put the filter in the bowl. An inline filter looks like the perfect choice, but it's a bit cramped and difficult to work inside the cowl.

The filter I'm looking at is designed for certain 71-89 Fords, metal case with a 5/16" hose barb on each end. (One worked on one of my tractors for years.) I was looking at the best place to put it, when it struck me that I don't really need it inside the cowl at all. I could put it in the line from the tank! Or could I?

Is there any reason why I SHOULDN'T put it in that line? I can't think of any, except maybe it puts an extra strain on the fuel pump, sucking gas through it at such a distance away. It certainly would be easy to install and/or replace out there in the open like that, a definite plus.

Any opinions from you guys?

[kbait]

Since the newer fuel pump you installed undoubtedly has a screen on the intake, I'd call tim's outboard 218-682-2331, and ask for an original filter (it's like a stone cylinder/tube. And get the screw in holder if yours is gone. They probably have the gasket for the glass bowl itself, if yours looks cheesy.. I just revived a '55 evinrude 15 that was stuck, and left in a barn forever. Pb blaster got it free, and after ignition and carb attention, it runs like new. I'll see if it catches fish this afternoon! Cheers!