Overview
Z cars are notorious for problems caused by fuel tank rust, sediment and varnish. It typically
- clogs fuel lines
- clogs the fuel pump inlet strainer
- clogs fuel injectors
- or causes a lean condition of fuel starvation at high rpms yet normal burn at idle
One way to proactively prevent this problem is by placing a fuel filter between the fuel tank and fuel pump.
A Fram G3 disposable filter is the perfect choice:
- It has 3/8" fittings (the G3 is really G3/8"). This works well with the 10mm Nissan fuel hose.
- It is available at most Walmarts.
- Cost is ~ $3
- It is easy to see sediment through the clear plastic
- It comes with 4 hose clamps and 2 small 3/8" pieces of hose (those hoses are handy when removing/installing rods)
Here you can see the box, extra hose and 2 clamps. I used the rest of the
contents.
Installation
Disconnect -neg battery terminal.
Jack car at differential.
Remove rear passenger wheel
Clamp your fuel line close to the tank.
Place a catch basin under the fuel line.
Cut the fuel line where you wish to mount the filter. A box cutter knife
works great.
Please consider:
- ease of access to install and change
- ease of viewing
- protection from rocks flicked by rear wheel
Install filter and note correct orientation. Remember to use hose clamps.
Normalize
Here is where I installed the G3 on my '77. The black crap is from the fuel
line. Some of it rubbed off when I installed the filter and some of it separated
from the hose when I clamped and unclamped it.
Close up.
Real World "Horror Story" Data from a Rusty Tank
(Courtesy of
Author: Wayne_in_KY
from www.Zcar.com):
An "optional" G3 filter following 3 tanks of gas from a rusty tank.
Here is the "primary" engine compartment fuel filter.
Wayne unfolded the engine compartment filter to reveal that the G3 did it's job
well!
Thanks Wayne!
