MG T-ABC

Fitting new fuel tank and am wondering whether instead of fitting the in tank filter if an exterior inline filter would be just as suitable and easier to maintain. Seems likely to me. Comments please.

I am also fitting a new tank. Before I decided to ditch my old tank I fitted an inline filter between the pump and the carb but I fully intended to have another in line filter nearer to the tank. There seems to be no consensus as to where the filter should be but bearing in mind originally only the filter in the bottom of the petrol pump was considered necessary - and the fuel was much dirtier in the past - I would hope that with a new tank there should not be any need for one. Then again, ethanol has some unhelpful effects so probably better to be safe than sorry.

The type of sediment strainer or "finger filter" design used in the TC tank is no different than a finger filter used widely on everything from aircraft to Model T fuel tanks. It is there to keep the line from plugging up. Surface area. https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com/201 ... lters.html

The idea of the filter screen is to give a larger intake area than the pipe alone, which will allow fuel to flow easier if debris gets sucked up. I would advise leaving it alone, but if you do want to remove it then I would put a small standpipe in its place so any heavier debris that settles on the bottom of the tank won't fall in.

Inline filters should always be put AFTER an SU pump. If the intake side of the pump becomes clogged, the pump will stall in a powered state and burn itself up. That said, a filter before the pump is only a problem if it gets clogged. So if you check it periodically then it should be fine. Facet pumps work differently and are safe to use with a filter upstream.

Don't forget about the filter in the pump itself. I neglected to check mine once for several years, and the pump burned out when it clogged. Exactly the same situation as an inline filter clogging upstream of the pump!

Doug Pelton at From the Frame Up sells a nice kit to replace the old, corroded tank filter.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

OK so am in the process of making my own. Small standpipe from copper pipe with a copper mesh "finger" on top and utilizing the old tank connector to fuel pipe.. All for £5 and a bit of solder. Will just have to monitor/calibrate the fuel level indicator when I start to fill the tank. Problem with Doug Feltons` products is the cost of getting them to the UK.

Here's what came out of mine.
1. Screen tube in one union.
2. Somebody eliminated the stand pipe in the other union and filled it with lead.
3. Drain plug.
Only one pipe to the front.
No reserve tank valve, just the holes where it once was.

Doug has a replacement outlet pipe with a longer pipe. This stops the bottom 2/3" of petrol being drawn up thereby leaving the crus floating in the bottom of the tank.

Not difficult to solder a pipe to the existing if you want.