Location of Racor Fuel Filter

[HOTFLASH]

My 1975 Tartan 27 with raw water cooling has no fuel filter or water strainer. I can take care of the water strainer, but where does the Racor fuel filter attach to the engine?

[Marty Levenson]

Dear Hotflash,

I have a tartan 27 too, only its a 1967. I installed my Raycor on the port side, connected to two wooden supports screwed to the bulkhead that runs parallel to the engine. It is easy to do, but a bit hard to explain how I made it able to "pop up" to check it or replace it. When the engine is running it is folded down below the removable cover that sits between the fiberglass engine cover and the settee. If you send me your e-mail I will send you a picture.

Do you have the in-line Moyer filter between the fuel pump and the carb?

-Marty Levenson (Vancouver)

[ericson_35]

The filter needs to be installed between the engine and fuel tank (i.e. suction side). Be sure to check flow rates of filter, although an A-4 flow rate is not that great. Install it in a place where it will receive maintenance and be checked for leaks. In other words, don't bury it in the bilge.

Couple other thoughts, you may want to put isolation valves in line with the filter it to keep prime and if wanting to get real fancy, install a vacuum gauge. The vacuum gauge will tell you when the filter is plugging up and time for replacement when the vacuum starts rising. Get a baseline with all clean filters and keep and eye on the gauge as it will start to rise quite rapidly as it becomes more and more plugged. Usually the gauges come in 0-30" of vacuum and 0-2" is a normal baseline with 8-10" reading time to change filters.

They can be had at most hydraulic shops for 10 -20 bucks, but get the liquid filled one as that dampens the needle from flutter and better quality. Also, keep an eye on filter micron size as they usually come in 2, 10 and 20. I use a 10.....other's may have different recommendations.