FE fuel pump- cannister or no cannister?

[the elder rocker]

Hi Folks-
Spent Sunday reworking the heater system on the F100. New core and shutoff. Went to start the truck to burp the coolant and no run. Fuel pump is puka. The 390 out of the '66 Merc has a mechanical pump with no canister. Is the canister a better idea? I have a clear filter in the line after the pump. (bought 5 of 'em to filter out the gunge) Is the filter in the canister filtering in to the pump or out of the pump? If it's out it seems redundant. Thanks ahead for any knowledge!
Mike Burgess
Albert, KS

[1972hiboy]

Most people forget or never know there is a filter in there and they subsequently never get changed. I would say if you already some sort of filtration installed then having another on the fuel pump isn't necessary.

[the elder rocker]

So true Rich- I always liked the ones with the glass sediment bowls! Kept the rocks out of the pump and you knew how the flow goes.
Thanks!

[Jacksdad]

Two things I've noticed about the canister filters on our fuel pumps - they're impossible to remove (all the ones I've had anyway), and they sit right next to the lower radiator hose, make the dreaded fuel FE fuel percolation problem even worse. I'd say no canister if you have a choice, and just go with an inline filter.

[fastEdsel]

Scrap your clear filter after the pump, if there is a fire the plastic melts quickly and feeds the fire. Install a metal one there and write the install date on it with a permanent marker. On one of mine I built a plate cover where the pump goes, installed an electric pump on the frame with an independent switch to turn it on. No fuel, no one is going to steal it unless they know where the switch is to turn on the fuel. Most of these electric fuel pumps are even filtered before the pump and work very well.

[the elder rocker]

Thanks for the insight fellows. I do agree with the safety concerns on the clear filter but during the sorting out phase of this one I need to monitor the fuel flow and sediment issues. Easiest way to do that is to be able to see the pump work and fuel color and sediment content. Good point on the canister location.