RACOR diesel fuel filter

[REBrueckner]

The RACOR fuel filter covers on my fomer 1972 Hatt had a turn handle which was unscrewed to remove the cannister top to access the filter cartridge inside.

The boat we are surveying/looking at has on the top instead a vertical hex shaped extension, like a hex shaped pipe nipple, about 4", and a vacuum guage on the upper end extending vertically.

How do you remove such a RACOR top for a filter change?

Does the hex extension out the top bolt down thru the top of the RACOR?....Can one can simply loosen and subsequently retighten the top using an end wrench on that hex extension?

I don't want to risk screwing up a simple job!

 

[Avenger]

How do you remove such a RACOR top for a filter change?

With a wrench.












But seriously, same thing, just different hardware.

 

[seasalt]

Go down to the lowest nut on the stem under the gauge and unscrew it with a wrench. What you have are vacuum gauges that read off the filter instead of at a remote location. These are not bad if you don't mind crawling between a couple of screaming diesels to see what they are reading....because the best readings are at speed.

 

[z28jimi]

Can one can simply loosen and subsequently retighten the top using an end wrench on that hex extension?

Yes, that's all there is to it. (Make sure o-ring gasket is still OK, or replace it)

 

[REBrueckner]

Thanks guys...as always.

I saw no 'lower nut' on these stems, but when we get back aboard
I'll check again. Anyway, the hex shaped stem will give a good grip.

For some unknown reason a persnickity owner/seller will not arrange to have a filthy RACOR
bowl drained and a new filter added if needed. So we may do it while aboard if the yard isn't conveniently available.

As a note of possible interest, RACOR had a distance limit on how far vacuum hose could be run to a helm to mount a remote vacuum gauge instrument. Maybe it was 15 feet, I forget. So I figured I'd use 25 feet or so of copper tubing and just put a short hose/clamp on each end and see what happened. That was probably 12-14 years ago and still works fine. I mounted the instrument gauges on the bridge deck [lower] helm of my former 1972 Hatt YF....loved THAT!

 

[saltshaker]

The stem is the only nut to turn. They should be snug not tight, use the wrench to avoid twisting the gauge but don't over tighten. Use the same force as if it still had a T handle. I can't remember which it is but it's either 3/4 or 7/8. I believe its 3/4 but not certain.