Fuel/water separator location?

[pearsontriton28]

So yesterday, I installed a Racor s3227 fuel/water separator on my Atomic 4 powered 1961 Pearson Triton 28 and I was pretty darn proud of my instal until last night. Later in the eventing, I read that a F/W separator should be placed between the fuel tank and fuel pump. I did not do that. I placed it between the pump and the carburetor. Why? 1. The fuel lines before the fuel pump are really tough to get to on this boat. 2. For whatever reason, it made sense to me that the fuel should be pushed through the filter and not sucked through it. 3. I assumed I could install it anywhere down line from the fuel tank. 4. I saw no mention of where to instal it in relation to the pump in the articals I read, videos I’ve watched or advice I received. Bottom line: I should have read the instal directions more thoroughly.

What I want to know is, should I disassemble my connections and start over or can I get away with leaving the F/W separator where it is?

[roadnsky]

Welcome to the forum! You're in the right place for A4 wisdom.

I hate to rain on your Father's Day... but the classic install is:
FUEL TANK - RACOR - PUMP - POLISHING FILTER - (Fuel Pressure Gauge) - CARB

[ndutton]

I hate to rain on your Father's Day... but the classic install is:
FUEL TANK - RACOR - PUMP - POLISHING FILTER - (Fuel Pressure Gauge) - CARB

Further, Parker/Racor shows filter installation between the tank and pump in a negative pressure position.

[thatch]

Pearson, First, welcome to the most "well intended" website in existence. As far as where to mount the filter/seperator goes, let's look at the pros and cons of both positions. As others have mentioned, mounting it between the tank and fuel pump is the recommended method. This way the pump and carb both get clean fuel and if there is a leak at the filter, it will be a vacuum leak, not a pressurized leak. A leak there will normally prevent the pump from pumping but does not really constitute a severe safety issue. If, with your current installation, the filter were to develop a leak, it would be a "pressurized" fuel leak, which is never a good thing. If you do choose to keep the installation the way it is, regular leak checks would be a good idea.
Tom

[pearsontriton28]

Pearson, First, welcome to the most "well intended" website in existence. As far as where to mount the filter/seperator goes, let's look at the pros and cons of both positions. As others have mentioned, mounting it between the tank and fuel pump is the recommended method. This way the pump and carb both get clean fuel and if there is a leak at the filter, it will be a vacuum leak, not a pressurized leak. A leak there will normally prevent the pump from pumping but does not really constitute a severe safety issue. If, with your current installation, the filter were to develop a leak, it would be a "pressurized" fuel leak, which is never a good thing. If you do choose to keep the installation the way it is, regular leak checks would be a good idea.
Tom

A well reasoned explanation. Thank you.