The Ford Barn

P.S. · 07-23-2013, 04:44 PM

If one were to remove the strainer looking spark arrester screen from the gasoline filler, would fuel splash out and onto the paint if you were driving on a rough road with a full tank of fuel? Or, is it OK to run with the screen removed without worry of fuel splashing out? This assumes the fuel cap is on, obviously.

Aok · 07-23-2013, 04:51 PM

I have had my filter/arrester out for the past month no problem with gas splashing out. I took my out to clean it and have not got around to putting it back yet.

woodypecker · 07-23-2013, 06:16 PM

I suspect todays fuels are clean enough to not use it but I like the flame arrester part.

Patrick L. · 07-23-2013, 06:26 PM

Mine hasn't been in for years.

marc hildebrant · 07-23-2013, 06:31 PM

I like to have it installed.

When I add gas, I use the screen to help to stop filling at the level of the bottom of the screen.

One time, I kept adding gas to the "top" of the tank. The cold gas then expanded with the hot (100 degree's) day and spilled out of the gas tank and flowed into the engine compartment via the hood space !!!!!

Yikes.....

Marc

modelAsteve · 07-23-2013, 06:35 PM

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I think it helps keep the fuel nozzle away from the gas gauge/float rod. Maybe?

Joe K · 07-23-2013, 07:15 PM

I drove my truck for at least 5 years without the screen. I never noticed any problem in function - but I never had a car fire either.

Joe K

Tom Wesenberg · 07-23-2013, 07:23 PM

I've seen a repro gas cap with a small hole in the top center of the cap. This cap will likely allow gas to splash out.

Napa Skip · 07-23-2013, 07:38 PM

On my coupe I have not had the gas tank spark arrester installed since 1977. My gas cap (for whatever reason) has a 1/64-inch hole drilled in the center. I have driven the car in Idaho, Washington and - the litmus test of rough-road driving - California freeways, including use as a daily driver for several years. Even with the gas tank completely full (as in to the very top of the tank, but not to the top of the filler neck) I have never experienced fuel splashing out of the tank.

Just lucky, I guess.

Others may have had different experience.

glenn in camino · 07-23-2013, 07:41 PM

When I add gas I point the fuel nozzle to the front or rear. If I point it straight down, it burps up and shuts the nozzle off. The screen, like the engine pans, is part of a complete Model A.

Keith True · 07-23-2013, 07:50 PM

The only to get gas in an A with a screen where I am is to pour it in with a can.Every station in town has the new fast pumps.When you squeeze the trigger the initial burst is explosive.The head pressure is so much that you have to squeeze hard to overcome it.After the initial blast you can moderate it.With the screen in place the blast of the first squeeze goes straight up under the visor.

1931 flamingo · 07-23-2013, 08:42 PM

Mine's not there either and I don't have problems adding fuel as I usually only put $10 in at a time. I think it's only been 3/4's full once in 3 years.
Paul in CT

Tom Wesenberg · 07-23-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Mine's not there either and I don't have problems adding fuel as I usually only put $10 in at a time. I think it's only been 3/4's full once in 3 years.
Paul in CT

I try to keep mine full in case they drop the "big one", and I need to head for the hills.

Actually, I keep it full to help keep out moisture, plus I'll be ready to go for a long drive.

TerryH · 07-24-2013, 12:25 AM

I have had two Model A's over the years and neither one had the screen, and I never missed it. I have no problem filling the tank full, nor fuel spilling out here in California.

P.S. · 07-24-2013, 01:25 AM

Excellent info. Thank you!!!

Like Tom, I prefer a full tank whenever a car is parked for the day. I consider 1/2 tank to be "empty". The only time I ever let the A get below 1/2 tank was when it had to be emptied to change the shutoff valve and for a few tankfulls to please Mark Maron when he demanded that I run it down to about 1/4 tank before filling a few times to get an idea of mileage on the new carb. He still has no idea how stressful that was!

I know what you mean, Marc. Did that once. Luckily, no permanent damage. The new fuel with the alcohol in it is not kind to the 40 year old lacquer. It buffed out OK though. Whew!

Keith- I usually wiggle the screen out before filling. It's just such a pain to wiggle it out, grab with a paper towell to keep fuel from dripping on paint, then replace after filling. Thinking it would be MUCH simpler to just leave it out, thus the reason for asking this question.

Thanks again to all for adding your experiences. That screen is coming out ASAP!

07-23-2013, 04:44 PM	#1
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 1,922	Fuel filler screen If one were to remove the strainer looking spark arrester screen from the gasoline filler, would fuel splash out and onto the paint if you were driving on a rough road with a full tank of fuel? Or, is it OK to run with the screen removed without worry of fuel splashing out? This assumes the fuel cap is on, obviously.

07-23-2013, 04:51 PM	#2
Aok Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tx Posts: 502	Re: Fuel filler screen I have had my filter/arrester out for the past month no problem with gas splashing out. I took my out to clean it and have not got around to putting it back yet.

07-23-2013, 06:16 PM	#3
woodypecker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clarkston, Michigan Posts: 239	Re: Fuel filler screen I suspect todays fuels are clean enough to not use it but I like the flame arrester part.

07-23-2013, 06:26 PM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Fuel filler screen Mine hasn't been in for years.

07-23-2013, 06:31 PM	#5
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: Fuel filler screen I like to have it installed. When I add gas, I use the screen to help to stop filling at the level of the bottom of the screen. One time, I kept adding gas to the "top" of the tank. The cold gas then expanded with the hot (100 degree's) day and spilled out of the gas tank and flowed into the engine compartment via the hood space !!!!! Yikes..... Marc

07-23-2013, 06:35 PM	#6
modelAsteve Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Penn Valley (Nor-Cal) Ca Posts: 128	Re: Fuel filler screen Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think it helps keep the fuel nozzle away from the gas gauge/float rod. Maybe?

07-23-2013, 07:15 PM	#7
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,612	Re: Fuel filler screen I drove my truck for at least 5 years without the screen. I never noticed any problem in function - but I never had a car fire either. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

07-23-2013, 07:23 PM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Fuel filler screen I've seen a repro gas cap with a small hole in the top center of the cap. This cap will likely allow gas to splash out.

07-23-2013, 07:38 PM	#9
Napa Skip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Napa CA Posts: 412	Re: Fuel filler screen On my coupe I have not had the gas tank spark arrester installed since 1977. My gas cap (for whatever reason) has a 1/64-inch hole drilled in the center. I have driven the car in Idaho, Washington and - the litmus test of rough-road driving - California freeways, including use as a daily driver for several years. Even with the gas tank completely full (as in to the very top of the tank, but not to the top of the filler neck) I have never experienced fuel splashing out of the tank. Just lucky, I guess. Others may have had different experience. __________________ Skip Keyser Napa Valley A's Olympic Vintage Auto Club (1980-1982) MARC of San Diego (1977-1978) MAFCA (since 1978) MARC (since 1977) ---------- Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road.

07-23-2013, 07:41 PM	#10
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Fuel filler screen When I add gas I point the fuel nozzle to the front or rear. If I point it straight down, it burps up and shuts the nozzle off. The screen, like the engine pans, is part of a complete Model A.

07-23-2013, 07:50 PM	#11
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,423	Re: Fuel filler screen The only to get gas in an A with a screen where I am is to pour it in with a can.Every station in town has the new fast pumps.When you squeeze the trigger the initial burst is explosive.The head pressure is so much that you have to squeeze hard to overcome it.After the initial blast you can moderate it.With the screen in place the blast of the first squeeze goes straight up under the visor.

07-23-2013, 08:42 PM	#12
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Fuel filler screen Mine's not there either and I don't have problems adding fuel as I usually only put $10 in at a time. I think it's only been 3/4's full once in 3 years. Paul in CT

07-24-2013, 12:25 AM	#14
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: Fuel filler screen I have had two Model A's over the years and neither one had the screen, and I never missed it. I have no problem filling the tank full, nor fuel spilling out here in California.

07-24-2013, 01:25 AM	#15
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 1,922	Re: Fuel filler screen Excellent info. Thank you!!! Like Tom, I prefer a full tank whenever a car is parked for the day. I consider 1/2 tank to be "empty". The only time I ever let the A get below 1/2 tank was when it had to be emptied to change the shutoff valve and for a few tankfulls to please Mark Maron when he demanded that I run it down to about 1/4 tank before filling a few times to get an idea of mileage on the new carb. He still has no idea how stressful that was! I know what you mean, Marc. Did that once. Luckily, no permanent damage. The new fuel with the alcohol in it is not kind to the 40 year old lacquer. It buffed out OK though. Whew! Keith- I usually wiggle the screen out before filling. It's just such a pain to wiggle it out, grab with a paper towell to keep fuel from dripping on paint, then replace after filling. Thinking it would be MUCH simpler to just leave it out, thus the reason for asking this question. Thanks again to all for adding your experiences. That screen is coming out ASAP!