I noticed that the fuel filter was located on the pressure side of the fuel pump…between the pump and carburetor. The potential problem is if the filter leaks, or if the weight of the filter causes a fuel line to come loose, being on the pressure side of the fuel pump means fuel will be sprayed into the engine compartment. Not something I would want. I also noticed that there were no clamps on some of the fuel line connections in the engine compartment.
So with new fuel line in hand I replaced the line from the fuel pump to the carburetor, this time without the filter. I also used safety wire to be sure the fuel inlet tube on the carburetor or the fuel line itself does not come free from the carburetor. Then I installed a new fuel filter on the suction side of the fuel pump. This means if the fuel filter fails, it will not be spraying fuel on the engine. Since I do not have a lift, I decided to place the fuel filter in the engine compartment for now. When I can get the car up off the ground I will move the fuel filter under the car beside the transaxle. It makes it more difficult to check and replace the filter but greatly reduces any fuel related fire potential.
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Now with the fuel contained I thought it would be a good idea to update the ignition system. As much fun as it is to replace points and set dwell, I decided to replace the points and condenser with a Pertronix electronic ignition. You use the stock distributor but replace the points with a sensor that reads a collar placed on the distributor shaft. It is an easy upgrade that is more reliable than points, eliminates the need to adjust dwell, gives you a much stronger and consistent spark, reduces the frequency of spark plug changes and improves gas mileage.
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As for the cosmetics, the activated charcoal filled canister that sits in the engine compartment was in pretty bad shape. These canisters were part of the early 70s smog control…in this case a means of trapping fuel vapors from the gas tank. I am pretty sure the activated charcoal was used up about 40 years ago…but since the bracket is there I thought it would be good to at least have a presentable canister. Some day I will do the modifications necessary to the canister be able to remove and replace the activated charcoal so it actually traps the vapors.
