Do we really even need "fuel socks"?

[jumpsoffrock]

After reading the current thread by IT Cowboy but don't wanna hijack his thread, I have wondered what other folks think about this.
I've watched countless youtube "will it run" videos that have struggled with fuel sock blockages and asked myself.

Do we even need them?
Wouldn't running a $3 inline filter before the pump solve the whole problem?

All of my old vehicles have two filters, one before and after the pump.
I am almost tempted to tear socks off the brand new fuel pickup right out of the box and simply run two filters.


What are your thoughts?

[truckster]

I've run many vehicles without them just fine.

I wouldn't run without one on a vehicle with fuel injection - those fuel pumps are less forgiving.

[dmjlambert]

Well, are the will-it-run video makers trying to use the 50 year old sock, or did they put a fresh made-in-China sock on there dip in the fuel and watch it fall apart? I'm wondering if a new fuel sender and sock should be good to go for 10 or more years.

[Lee H]

I removed the sock in my 72 when I did a frame off restoration. I did put on an inline filter. 30K miles and no issues.