To fuel filter or not. 3.0

[nola mike]

I don't think you're right about that, I have a pic here to show you what a 4.3 marine mechanical pump looks like, just like the V8 pump but mounted upside down. Old one is OE Carter, new is Sierra aftermarket, I also have a new Carter one, looks exactly the same. So no integral filter on these they all had cannister filters added on.

Nope. I can tell you for sure that the 1989 donor boat that I used didn't have a canister, and used the filter on the pump (in fact, see post #33 here, look at the last pic). Some were paper elements, earlier ones were stone. Other vintages were similar. I can also tell you 100% that the 470's didn't have a canister.

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

www.mercruiserparts.com

And here's one of the inline filters:

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

www.mercruiserparts.com

 

[flashback]

Been an interesting read. No expert here but I will always have a canister on any boat I own. I'm familiar with what a slug of water does.

 

[Scott06]

Nope. I can tell you for sure that the 1989 donor boat that I used didn't have a canister, and used the filter on the pump (in fact, see post #33 here, look at the last pic). Some were paper elements, earlier ones were stone. Other vintages were similar. I can also tell you 100% that the 470's didn't have a canister.

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

www.mercruiserparts.com

And here's one of the inline filters:

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

www.mercruiserparts.com

Agreed . I have never seen a 3.0 with separate canister fuel filter from the factory. My folks had a 91 seray with a 3.0 that was passed down to me. I changed the filter that was a sintered stone for the first time when the boat like 18-20 years old … spring in bottom of housing Was rusted out …

 

[Lou C]

Nope. I can tell you for sure that the 1989 donor boat that I used didn't have a canister, and used the filter on the pump (in fact, see post #33 here, look at the last pic). Some were paper elements, earlier ones were stone. Other vintages were similar. I can also tell you 100% that the 470's didn't have a canister.

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

www.mercruiserparts.com

And here's one of the inline filters:

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER

www.mercruiserparts.com

I took my old pump apart, there is no filter inside of these. It is exactly like the same old diaphragm pump used by Chevrolet on those engines since the '50s, just with the extra fitting to prevent fuel from leaking from a bad diaphragm into the bilge.
However, it looks like Merc did use a different style pump that did have a small internal filter, which OMC & Volvo did not use, they used the standard Carter marine pump, so they had to come with the cannister filter.
That is a really small filter! I wonder how much they saved, by doing that. Might have been OK in the days before E-10 fuel but seeing as how large areas of the country, are stuck with nothing but E-10, I think a cannister filter is now a necessity.

OMC style pump & cannister mount:

OMC Stern Drive Intake Manifold Parts for 1988 4.3L 434APRGDP Stern Drive

Online inventory of OMC stern drive 434APRGDP intake manifold parts for 1988 4.3L stern drives. Buy a genuine OEM or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

Volvo Penta style pump and cannister mount:

All Products | iBoats

Since 1998, iboats is the most trusted water lifestyle online store for boat parts and accessories, boats for sale, and forums. Enjoy great priced products with fast shipping.

www.volvopentastore.com

In any case I don't think the OP would have a problem installing a cannister mount, if the small filter in that pump wasn't adequate for his boating conditions.