TB-103 : Fuel Filters- identifying the correct element for your housing.

Filter ID Tech Tips:
How do you know what replacement element will fit your inline filter housing and have the same micron rating? First determine which filter housing you have, then what micron rating the element is.

There are 3 in-line Aeromotive filter housings, each with unique dimensions and port sizes:
* 3-1/2" long x 1-1/4" diameter with 3/8" NPT (National Pipe Thread) ports
* 5-1/2" long x 2" diameter filter housings are available in two versions:

• ORB-10 female ports (7/8"x14 SAE thread with o-ring boss)
  

• AN Male flare connections (housings with AN-06, AN-08 and AN-10 are available)
  

  
  

* 7" long x 2-1/2" diameter with ORB-12 (1-1/16"x12 SAE thread with o-ring boss) ports To determine the housing size, measure the overall length from port face to port face (not including fittings) and then measure major diameter, as measured across the center of the filter housing.

Housing colors don't necessarily indicate housing size and vary including red, black and nickel plate.

There are 4 Aeromotive filter elements, each with unique micron ratings and filter material:

• 10-micron cellulose/fabric
  

• 10-micron Microglass
  

• 40-micron stainless mesh
  

• 100-micron stainless mesh.
  

To determine what micron rating you have now, look at the element end cap (visible through the filter inlet port) and read the micron number. It will have 10m, 40m or 100m etched near the center of the end cap.

There are two important things to know about micron ratings and element material:

1. The larger the number the coarser the element. 100-micron is 10X coarser than 10-micron.
   

2. There is some cross-over in element material in the 40-m and 10-m area.
   
   The following should provide a general understanding of Aeromotive filter element materials:
   

• All 100-m elements are stainless mesh and compatible with any fuel.
  
  

• All 40-micron elements are stainless but the element for the smallest housing, which is cellulose.
  

  
  

• 10-micron, the finest filter material Aeromotive offers, is available in cellulose-fabric and Microglass. Microglass is a 10-m absolute mat between two layers of stainless mesh and copleated into a filter cartridge. Microglass is the recommended 10-m material for alcohol (ethanol/methanol) fuels.
  

  
  

• Fine filters in all fuels must be used after the pump, not before, and must be closely monitored and serviced as needed. 10-m filters of either material are not cleanable and must be replaced.