Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Last month I bought a car from my brother. Now even though it's not a Chevy it is a car I've tried to buy off of him for about 10 yrs now. A 1966 Chrysler 300 2 door hardtop.
Anyway I've been paying attention to the chrysler...a lot of attention, to the point of neglecting the 59 Apache.
Well today I decide to drive the apache into work. I stop for gas and drive about 2 blocks before I pull over and dial 911 cuz I'm on fire.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...badmorning.jpg

So far it looks like damage is limited to dash wires, switches, gauge cluster all rubber/plastic and wires under the hood and possibly the carb.
I lost the front windshield and the paint (if you can all it paint) damage is pretty rough.:waah:

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Im sorry to hear and see that. At least you are ok, the truck can always be rebuilt.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Sorry to hear that buddy. I had that happen to a motoorcycle once

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

That suks!
The street sure looks empty...everyone scared away?

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

sorry to see that...So was the filter up near the intake?
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Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

That sucks.
Had something similar happen to two different cars in the past.
Glad you're O.K.
As has been said the truck can be fixed.
Kim

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

That's scary. At least it's slavagible
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Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

D@mn bro! Glad your alright. I hate seeing old cars on fire. An old vette burnt to the ground a couple years ago right after a local car show here. So you think it was the glass filter?
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Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

One of those old sediment bowls that so many guys think is so cool on their older engines but doesn't really do much to keep the dirt out of the engine?

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Had an old one in my tool box and put a new cartridge in it and installed it. It looked brand new, came home the next afternoon to a garage floor full of fuel !! and the truck hadent even been ran since I had mounted it the nite before. JUST BROKE SITTING THERE !!! Scary !!! Those things are a POS !!!
Still got a slight gas odor in the garage when it rains and thats been 3 months ago !!!

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

OH MAN! Fredo, I feel SO bad for you. (Not to mention this reminds me to FINALLY bolt in that Halon fire extinguisher I have for my truck!)

I bet you feel good (if that's possible) that you got the gas tank out of the cab before this happened, huh?

Well, as other have already said at least you're ok....well, except for the fists full of hair you probably pulled outta your head when this was happening!

So, will a cab remove/replace now be in order to replace the mounts and to clean up/paint behind the dash?

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

I have witnessed a glass filter breaking myself ... not a pretty sight. I'm glad you were okay.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Bad news, but glad you are ok. the plastic inline ones are bad too, I had one fail in a parking lot, luckily I could still smell then.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

For some reason, the first time I read the title I thought of THIS kind of glass fuel filter:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...uelFilter3.jpg

But that's probably NOT the kind you meant, huh?
You more likely meant THIS kind (& I had to stop and think, "What kind do I have on MY truck?")
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...uelFilter2.jpg

I am running a little aluminum can looking thing...because it was already there, but what do you guys recommend? The plastic kind like this, or what?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...FuelFilter.jpg

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.
So it's been over 24 hrs and I'm over the sadness of watching my truck burn.
First a big THANK YOU to the Lemon Grove Fire Dept. response time was supper fast. Although it seemed like forever sitting there and watching it burn. I could hear the sirens getting closer but it all happened in slow motion.
So far as I've taken a few minutes ot check it over. I've come up with the cab is in good shape. But it will be scraped for one I have at home that has never been cut on. So if anyones needs a patch panel cut out let me know you can have it for the price of shipping. Of course the comon areas are crap just like the one you already have, So no lower corners etc.
I think the upper hinge pockets are good. Upper door jams and what not. The dash on this truck was hacked up pretty good by the previous owner. I will post pics later this week for reference. But if you have a dented roof I'm your guy.
On friday I will move a bunch of stuff around my driveway so I can push the truck into the area where the *magic* will happen. Once I do that I'll pull the motor and get it on a stand for the Krylon rebuild. I guess I might as well do the Auto trans swap now and fill the holes in the new cabs fire wall too. All in all it is a huge setback but one that will allow me to do the work I've been neglecting for too long.
Heck this might even be the perfect time to start a build thread!

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Dan, the one in the middle (inline glass with replacable filters) is the low down dirty snake in the grass that I was using. On my Chrysler I'm using the one on the bottom of your pics. Plastic with aluminum.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

I have the one in the middle! so should i get rid of it ive had it for almost 2yrs now and it sits pretty close to the top of the engine but its not sitting on it?

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Man that sucks! Glad things didnt get catastrophic, and everyone was okay.
I had a similar thing ALMOST happen to me in my F250 - towed it 40 miles to a lake (boat hooked up) and I was smelling gas. When i pulled over and poped the hood after smelling the gas for a couple miles i found an ALARMING sight - my hose clamp on the carb popped off, but it was still pressed up against the carb inlet - thus allowing gas to both pour ALL OVER the intake as well as get just enough gas in the carb inlet to keep the truck running - there was about a pint of gas literally BOILING on the intake of the 460 Ford. Boiling. I was petrified. To my amazement and luck, it DID NOT flash, and actually boiled away into evaporation. Replaced clamps but seriously reminds me that i am playing with fate for not having a extinguisher in all my older cars... something i should def. reconsider .

sorry luck was not on your trucks side, but again, at least your okay.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Yes get rid of it, get rid of it now, right away, do not dally or hesitate. Why are you still reading this and not outside taking that truck killer off?

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Thats the one I thought of right off the bat.

Glad you are going to use this as an opprotuity to make some positive changes! of corse it is more work but the truck will be better!:metal:
Keep us posted buddy!

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Fredo,

Well, if it HAD to happen at least you have a replacement cab already and the room to make the swap. It may end up being a blessing (yeah, RIIIIGHT!) in disquise. Your cab will be much better.

I've always wanted clean the gnarly old crap out from behind my dash and paint it white there to provide a nice contrast for future work/installations after I read here that someone else had done it. I think they even installed a couple small lights so they wouldn't have to use a flashlight when working behind there later.

Please DO write up a build thread complete with pictures of how bad it is now. You'll never believe how far you've come someday when you get her just like you want her to look. We're all pulling for you!

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Here is what I am using. It has a replaceable filter inside. Got it at NAPA.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

I saw a friend of mines 56 Ford Big Window burn to the ground waiting for a fire truck. We were on our way to a show and had just filled up our trucks,he had electric seats in his truck and they shorted out.
He also had the tank inside the truck and it was a mess,I carry a extinguisher in every thing I drive

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

You are very lucky i was a vol. fireman for several years and most car fires are not worth but scrap after, UNLESS the owner had an extinguisher. I carry one in all my cars, home, shop etc. glad you was OK. I'm guilty of the plastic filters, i've never used the glass ones and i keep rubber lines to a minimum.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

This spring I started my Travelall after it had sat most of the winter. It was in my garage. I fired it up and smelled gas right away. I popped the hood and saw the accellerator pump on the holley carb hemorroging gas all over the intake manifold. I jumped behind the wheel. And backed it out without touching the pedal. I was scared sh!tless that i was going to burn down my house.
My 59 had the same glass filter on it when I bought it. Its long gone now but it scares me to think about how much i drove it with it still on there. A time bomb is what those things are.
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Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Well guys (and gals) I have about 5 friends coming over in a few minutes to help me push the truck up into the "repair facility" AKA top of my driveway. I already pulled the ruined front glass and all of the carpeting out I figured that's about 100 lbs. Work has been slow due to this heat, over 100* yesterday.
OrrieG, I like that filter you are using I'm going to use the same one since there is a NAPA close to the house.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

just read this thread, wow, that sucks big time
have to buy (and mount) a fire extinguisher in truk

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Wow FFredo............really sorry for you about that. You had already put quite a bit of time into that truck.
Pretty much an eye opener...........anything can go wrong at any time.
Glad no one got seriously hurt.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Big thanks to the guys. "damn the heat, lets get this rig moved".

I'm a bit nervous what this will cost me in cold beers though.
Notice the black flames I had painted on the hood. I prefer them over the real ones that were there early this week. Tomorrow should see the removal of the doors, seats, steering, pedals, dash cluster, and hood.
I've decided to tear it down to it's bones and start fresh. We'll see how that plan goes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ache/push1.jpg

The obligatory "BUTT" shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ache/push2.jpg

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Dan right on all counts. I'm going to get it done right this time and I just got home from buy 2 fire extinguishers. One for each car.:ito:

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

thanx for this post ffredo, i had one on my '68 442 olds years ago cause it looked cool. all stock and in the carb where it belongs now!! hope ya getter back into shape soon....paul

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Sorry to hear that!! Thats why I keep a fire extinguisher in mine cause this scares the **** out of me.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

wow sorry to see that
i had a 79 mini burn up
I had just filled the tank wasn't even out of the pump area
started it heard a pop and saw smoke,popped the hood
lucky it was a mini i pushed it out
a few tries with fire extinguishers and the fire dept used some yellow powder like stuff
bout 4000,damage insurance paid ,never found out what happened
got a plastic type in the 78

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Ugh that is a bummer, I hard lined all my fuel lines and I found a nice cleanable filter at the big three swap last year.

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/DSC01995.jpg

Reading this story makes me want to reroute the line a bit higher away from the intake manifold.



.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

I took the entire fuel line out of an Astro/Safari van, it uses a metal canister filter that installs inline about half way from the tank, fit up inside the frame rail nice and tight.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Man that is hard luck, and that is not the first thread like this I have seen on this site alone. I really hope that you can get your truck back together. It is too much of a classic to see it go to the grave.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

i have a glass filter on my truck that is going to be replaced before i start my truck again . im sorry for your truck catching on fire. is there a in cab fire extinguisher that anybody recomends.

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

Just a FYI..I have one of these now and its about 8 years old. It started leaking out the seal and I though oh no biggie. Took it apart and the square o-ring was all disintegrated like it was contaminated with a foreign fuel?? So I bought a new o-ring with filter(cannot find just the o-ring) and checked the surfaces for burrs, dirt, etc...For the life of me I cannot get it to stop leaking..I have had it apart like 8 times and it still leaks...Truing to find something better. :smoke:

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

First of all man I'm REALLY sorry for what happend to you. I know it's no consolation, but about 3 months after I bought my 49 (before I started the body work thank God) I started it to let it warm up in the driveway as it was winter.

I went in the house to grab my stuff to leave for work and heard a thundering crash. Ran outside and my truck was missing. It caught reverse as it warmed up, launched off my driveway, down a 40 degree hill, hit a tree stump, spun hard to the left, through the neighbors back yard and lodged high cerntered on their retaining wall, about 1-foot more and it would have dropped 5 feet off the wall.

Destroyed both metal running boards, drivers side front and rear fender and most of the front suspension after going over the stump. Lots of other dents and scratches but comparably minor.

If it is any consolation, this only re-doubled my determination to save the truck. Again, really sorry for what happend!

ALL - for what it is worth, I have used those clear Spectre filters on numerous vehicles for over 20 years - they are fine if you make sure they don't touch anything - any vibration on that glass and it will eventually shatter. Had a guy in town lose a 50K 55 chevy car - same problem. Just make sure they are suspended in open space and you're fine - if they touch anything there will be trouble.

Lastly - after the hot wire from my MSD to battery POS shorted out from prolonged rubbing and caught my under carpet insulation on fire I ALWAYS - ALWAYS have a fire extinguisher in my vehicle. When this happened I didn't and I had to rip off the positive battery cable (battery is behind the seat), rip the seat up (pulled metal screws out in a adrenaline panic) and put the burning insulation out with my bare hands (2nd degree burns) I learned my lesson. ALWAYS HAVE A EXTINGUISHER!

Re: Was it karma? or "Why Glass Fuel Filters Suck"
 

I had one too and it was OK for awhile, but one day I went to clean it and as I was tightening it all back up, the glass cracked.

The best filter for rubber line and hose clamps is this one:

http://www.fleetfilter.com/mm5/graph...0001/33033.jpg

That's the filter you want to be running. It's a Wix 33033. All metal can for 3/8 line.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...&keyword=33033

http://napaonline.com/Catalog/Catalo...033_0320228303

http://www.fleetfilter.com/filter/33033.html

Even the plastic Fram G3 and it''s clones, that look like this

http://www.framcatalog.com/images/Fram/G3_022311.jpg

..don't seem all that safe to me. Don't get me wrong, I've known plenty of people that have run them and I myself have run a few of them too and never had an issue, but one day I was watching my motor run and noticed the plastic housing was PULSATING with the fuel pump. That was enough for me to go look for a metal can filter. Though I'm sure these plastic ones are plenty durable, it just makes more sense to run the metal can filter that has a 60 PSI burst pressure, especially if it's under the hood next to a hot motor.