Whats this, a second fuel filter?

[scoob8000]

Just went to change the fuel filter for the first time on the 2.9 '88.

I see the in line fuel filter on the drivers side frame rail, and the inline high pressure pump a foot or two behind it. But about another foot behind the pump is another frame mounted bracket with what looks like some sort of spin on cartridge in line with the pressure and return lines.

What the heck is this thing? Some sort of secondary filter?

 

[MAKG]

Some 2.9Ls have a second filter inside that thing, but your 88 shouldn't. That's a fuel reservoir. If you go around a corner or hit a hard bump and the low pressure pump sucks air for a moment, you don't stall the engine.

The ones that don't have filters are around an inch tall below the threads. The ones that do are substantially taller, almost down to the bottom of the frame rail -- as a rule of thumb, you can't get an oil filter wrench around it without disassembling the wrench.

Edit: Dagnabit. Memory rust. That's backwards. The big ones do NOT have filters in them.

DO NOT open it if it isn't the filter type. You'll never get it closed again without making it leak.

 

[scoob8000]

Gotcha. I searched a bit more after posting and finally saw similar comments. That some have filters in them and not others.

I'd say the spin on part of mine is and 2-3" total in height. It's far enough off the frame rail I can read the Ford logo on the bottom.

I'll leave well enough alone. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something, and since it seems relatively undocumented (Haynes book anyway) I'd ask.

 

[Flat Toy]

This is an 86 BII with the filter in the canister.

 

[scoob8000]

So mine is definietly a little deeper and does not have the filter element then.

Flat Toy,
Did you remove the bracket that completely encloses the unit in the frame rail?

 

[MAKG]

It comes off with an oil filter wrench; it just unscrews. There is an O-ring around the outside that is amazingly easy to cut on installation.

 

[Flat Toy]

So mine is definietly a little deeper and does not have the filter element then.

Flat Toy,
Did you remove the bracket that completely encloses the unit in the frame rail?

I haven't. I his is how it was when I Got it.