Plastic Tank Filter Issue

[wilson234]

Had a fuel pump go bad, figured I would replace the filter/strainer that is at the bottom of the fuel tank which is a prefilter before the fuel pump. Drained tank, noticed the original filter/strainer the netting is all deterioated. Trook off the hose, place a socket onto the aluminum bung, and the unit is spinning, it will not thread out of the plastic tank. I'm guessing the threads on the tank is some sort of metal ring that is originally fused into the plastic tank. after 26 years, I'm assuming the threads have fused together and the collar is spinning. Good news, it is still sealed, there is a thick rubber gasket between the filter/strainer and the plastic tank, it's just spinning but staying in place. Anyone experience this? Options?

At this point, I'm thinking about just cutting the hose that attaches to this filter/strainer and putting an inline filter before the fuel pump. There's about 2 inches of straight hose that could be cut out and a 2 inch long inline filter could be inserted. Any filter recommendations? I'm thinking something that is easy to replace and visually able to see how dirty the filter is.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

The picture below is the filter/strainer unit that is located at the bottom of the plastic tank that is not coming off. You can barely see the threads, but behind the thick aluminum neck, goes the rubber washer and there's about 10 threads that goes into the plastic tank.

[porterdog]

Yikes.

Your plan sounds reasonable. I think I'd be pretty nerved up about that spinning connection. How reliable will the clamp load that allows the gasket to function be under those conditions? Keep your eye on it.

A true filter that would fit the available space would be too small. Can you get a strainer instead? That's really what the factory piece was anyway.

[heliolps2]

it looks like the whole body needs to be screwed off not just the center part. does that make sense ?