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Adding FuelWater Separators

D

discobayken

Regular Contributor
"I've owned my 1985 Cruise

"I've owned my 1985 Cruisers inc. 336 ultra vee for about 6 years. She has twin crusader 454, 350hp inboards (625 hrs each) with large fuel tanks to help it guzzle gas (and boy can she). I live in the CA bay area in moderate weather (I assume that matters somewhat) and have never had a problem with the fuel system...but...I KNOW problems are coming someday if I dont add fuel/water separators (it didnt come with them from the factory). The sierra spin on kit seems the most economical but I know there are other systems to consider. Any advise on this?

Please remember that I work for a living and do NOT have an unlimited cash supply (sadly).

Also, are there some additives (or something) I should do to the tanks to help with removing moisture, etc.?

Thanks to all!

Ken"
 
"Just get the spin on kit and

"Just get the spin on kit and put it on. It's suicide for your engines not to have one.

The best way for you to reduce moisture in the tanks is to keep them as full as possible in between uses. Water condenses out of the atmosphere present in the empty part of your tank. The more full your tank is, the less water can condense out that air. Water seperating filters remove much of what does wind up there from condensation. There is no way other than that to actually prevent moisture from occuring. Diesel tanks have an extra problem of possible bacteria living in the tank and can benefit from use of a biocide fuel additive to prevent that.

Marvel Mystery Oil is a respected fuel additive that might help you engine deal with corrosion in the fuel system and intake manifold of your engine being that it is in a marine enviorment. If you use Marvel Mystery oil, do not exceed the recommended ratio of additive to fuel."
 
"I also own 454 Crusaders and

"I also own 454 Crusaders and had issues with water in the fuel. The spin on filters do not stop the water from passing through once they fill up with water, so into the carbs the water goes! Changed to Racor water/fuel seperators (metal bottom style for inboards) Now they stop all water and you can drain the water off if needed and if they fill up with water the fuel supply will stop. You can find them on-line for about $75-$85 if you search around, local suppliers would be over $120 ea. Just my recommendation!"
 
"Hi Ken, I put on the Racor as

"Hi Ken, I put on the Racor as per Crusader's recommendations. You have to get the model with the metal water bowl as I believe the one with the plastic bowl is not for use in an enclosed space. Even with both filters, which are 10 microns, I still had my carb apart twice this season for a "cleaning". Wait till you see what comes out of the filters! Damn ethanol. Stu"
 
"Running a 10 micron filter BE

"Running a 10 micron filter BEFORE a fuel pump is Russian Roulette with 5 bullets in in the chamber! It's a matter of time before that filter plugs with some crud, leans out your engine and burns a hole in a piston. Any filter placed BEFORE a fuel pump should be 30 microns or coarser. Put all the 10 micron filters you want AFTER the fuel pump, but not before.

Jeff"
 
"Jeff, that OK on an engine wi

"Jeff, that OK on an engine with a mechanical pump, but the guys with FI can not do it that way. The reason for the filter is to collect that crud. When they clog up, preferably before, you change it, otherwise that crud takes out your fuel pump/s. That is the reason Crusader wants the filter prior to the pump. Electric pumps are not near as forgiving as mechanical pumps and a particle that passes through a 30M filter can damage a rotary vein pump. This is the same reasoning behind the filter on the pick-up of the electric pump in your car. Crusader requires a 90GPH filter so that even with the filter 50% clogged it is still passing enough fuel to safely run the engine.

Rick"
 
"I just ordered 90 gph racors

"I just ordered 90 gph racors myself...( 89 454 crusaders w/mech. pumps & rochesters.)So what I get out of this Rick, is that I should mount these after the pumps? It said they're designed for the suction side in the prod. description...Just a little confused here."
 
"If you are going to the expen

"If you are going to the expense of putting on new fuel pumps, I would not use the mech pumps, but put MARINE electric fuel pumps and put the block off plates on the engine fuel pump openings. Carter makes a very good vane pump for this application that can be wired into the oil safety switch. They will deliver fuel faster to your carbs and the engines will start faster, especially if you wire a fuel pump by-pass switch so once the switch is on the fuel will prime your system and be ready when you hit the starter switch. My Racor filters are mounted before the fuel pumps and you need to keep the fuel clean before entering the vane pump.

Just my opinion!"
 
"Well,I wasn't going to re

"Well,I wasn't going to replace the fuel pumps as they working fine... but should I worry about putting 10 micron Racors before the pumps as Jeff says? (russian roulett w/ 5 bullets) Maybe I should have specd. 30 micron filters..."
 
"Okay, I got the filters yeste

"Okay, I got the filters yesterday,and now I need to find a place to put em...looked at the available brackett from crusader and its different than the one in my parts book, (for the spin on crusader filter) Stu,where did you put your filters? And Jeff,Rick, I still don't know if i've got 10 or 30 micron filters and I don't play russian roullett...advice please..."
 
"Jack, the filter mount on the

"Jack, the filter mount on the suction side of the pump. Mine is mounted on the aft bulkhead, near the fuel tanks. The fuel line runs from the tank to the Racor, the Racor to the fuel pump. The original Crusader spin on filter, which is after the fuel pump, stays just where it is. Stu"
 
"What is the part number of th

"What is the part number of the kit? If you are using the Racor product, you need the 660R-RAC-2. If using the Crusader product, the part number for the kit is RA080033.

The Crusader kit has detailed installation instructions regarding plumbing. The actual mounting location will be determined by access and available space in the engineroom.

As a side note, If there is not a valve currently in the system, I install a 1/2" ball valve on the inlet side of the filter housing. You will need to reduce it down to 3/8" to connect to your filter, I use the 1/2" valve so to not cause any restrictions in the fuel line. MSC Industrial Supply has any fittings you need and very quick service. http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm The valve will allow you to change the filter element without filling your bilge with fuel (those anti-siphon valves doen't always work).

Good luck,
Rick"
 
changed water / fuel separator

changed water / fuel separator today. It seems to have lost it's prime and will not start. I assume thats what it did. The tank was only 1/4 full. Any suggestions

lamar
 
"If you are FI, you can simply

"If you are FI, you can simply cycle the fuel pump several times by turning the key on and off. If you hare a mechanical pump, I would suggest removing the filter, filling it with fuel, then reinstalling it. Then you can crank it.

P.S. In the future, start a new string and give some information on your engines. You will get much more specific help. Welcome aboard!"
 
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