While changing the fuel filters today, I crossthreaded the outlet fitting. It dented the seat in the housing and I can't get a proper seal with the fitting. Where can i get another bracket for this filter? Its a 1983 so it has the threaded filter. Do I have to go to the dealership?

You can pretty much retrofit any diesel water separator in place of the original.A few minor changes might need to be made in regards to the type of line or hose you decide to use,but its very simple to do.

Does this filter even need to be in place? Can i just bypass it because there is another filter there?

Does this filter even need to be in place? Can i just bypass it because there is another filter there?


You do need a water separator and a fuel filter.

If it's the filter base for the water separator that has stripped threads, you can get a new one from fleetfilter for $25. It should be #24309:

http://www.fleetfilter.com/Store_ViewProducts.asp?Cat=56
http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/PartDetail.asp?Part=24309

If it's the fuel filter, you can look up the part number of the filter on the Wix website and eventually find out what thread size the filters have. Then you can find the filter base you need going by the thread size.

Maybe give fleetfilter a call, they can probably tell you what you need. PM me if you need a phone number.

Is this the one on the firewall or the intake manifold ?

Its the one on the Intake Manifold. I checked with the local Chevy dealer today, they informed me that parts bee discontinued. It looks like the ones from fleet filter while they may work would require some reworking of the fuel lines to use it. If thats the only option then i'll go that way. I would like to stay as close to stock as possible.
Thanx for your help, keep the advice coming please?

Oh, sorry, one thing I didn't think about: The stock filter bases may eventually have a different mounting pattern than the universal ones.

Unless you can get a stock filter base (from a junkyard or from a forum member), you basically have two options: Switch to another filter that is a combined fuel filter and water separator --- Racor makes them, as well as there are some from GM and probably other manufacturers --- or stay with the dual filter setup and get a universal filter base. If you go for a universal base, you have the advantage that you can decide on which filter you want and then get a base for it --- that's what I did. If you go for a combined filter, it's easier to get one that has a fuel heater (of which I don't think that they really work) and a water sensor build in. How much the filter elements cost and how easily they are available is also something to consider. You could also go for an upgrade: install an electrical fuel pump and/or a pressure gauge. If you want a downgrade, you could use a model 80 filter ...

If you get a universal filter base that fits for the stock fuel filter, you might have to get a piece of sheet metal to make a mounting bracket for the base.

Also, take a look at these:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215141
http://sbmar.com/Articles/MarineFuel-Filtration_Introduction.cfm