1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

[Peter R.]

I have '57 Corvette #646; it's 250hp FI with manual trans. I have two fuel filter canisters that have just been re-plated in cadmium with the significant help of Richard Fortier. The canisters are slightly different (see picture). One has a circumferential crimp just above the base and the other has three equally spaced dimples just above the base. Both features serve to retain the inner cup The one with the dimples came to me with the car and had a lid with square bosses on the inlet/outlet; it was on the car as long ago as 1985. The one with the crimp I got from John DeGregory a few years ago with a lid having rounded bosses. For my early car, I will use the lid with the rounded bosses. But I'm wondering about the history of these differences in the canisters and which one would be best to use on my car. The Judging Manual says nothing about this canister design feature. I've looked through Ken Kayser's book and all of the pictures of the '57 FI engines show canisters with the crimp, but the engineering drawing at the bottom of page 501 specifies the dimples. Does anyone have any insight into the history of these differences?

Thanks.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

Pete,

I had a no ring crimp fuel filter canister dated with a 1956 lid date. Unfortunately, in 1998 someone decided they needed it more than I did and stole it when we had a FI display. That was the only one I had ever seen with no ring crimp on the canister base. Neither had most of the FI gurus seen one like it. I can't recall where I required it in the late 70's.

Early 57 FI's had a round boss on the inlet/outlet lines. Changed to square boss approximately VIN 3400.

Hope this helps.

Gary
....

[Peter R.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

Thanks, Gary. That's at least anecdotal evidence that the non-crimped canisters are relatively rare. I'm still hoping someone can shed some light on the history so I will know which canister to use on my early car.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

Pete,

The few early FI cars we've seen all had the crimped ring canister with round inlet/outlet fuel line bosses.

Ken Kayser retired GM engineer and author of the History of GM's Ramjet Fuel Injection told me years ago when I showed him my canister, that he had never seen a canister like that. In Ken's book on page 470, there's a photo of a "smooth" canister with nos vertical "finger" groves. Page 501 in Ken's book has a blueprint of the canister and it does not show a crimp ring on the lower portion of the canister.

If you're interested, Ken's book is very informative on the development of 57 FI.

Gary
....

[Peter R.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

Gary,

Yes, I have Ken's book. The drawing on page 501 shows the three equally spaced dimples in place of the crimp, like on my non-crimped canister. But every picture in the book of a '57 filter canister with finger flutes also has the crimp. I emailed Ken on Saturday to ask him about this, but have not gotten any response. Maybe I don't have his current email address. Maybe he'll see this thread and will reply.

[G B.]

The crimp came first, I think.

The drawing on page 501 dates the revision adding the "3-BUMPS EQUALLY SPACED" note on 9/30/57. If I'm reading that date correctly, it may mean most injected '58 Corvettes would have had the 3 - bump (crimpless) canisters. Almost all '57 models with FI probably had crimped canisters.

I bought a boxed NOS canister a couple of years ago. The box was dated 12 - 61. The canister had the 3 bumps and no crimp.

[Peter R.]

Re: The crimp came first, I think.

I hadn't previously seen the date on that note. That helps. Thank you for pointing that out. Looks like my best move is to put the crimped canister on the car.

[John D.]

Re: The crimp came first, I think.

Peter etal, A current repro has no crimp on the can. I have seen NOS service replacements with no crimp also.
Purpose of the crimp is to help retain the inner lining.

Very difficult part to successfuly have plated Peter. Dirt and crap gets trapped inside the can and insert.
I don't know if Richard did the following or not.
Soak the cannister in lacquer thinner for a week or so. Then rinse it out and blow it dry with compressed air on a white towel. If you see any grit coming out of it repeat the process with clean thinner as many times as necessary.
More FI restorations are destroyed by an original 57-58 filter that has been plated and used as is. John

[Peter R.]

Re: The crimp came first, I think.

Thanks, John. I was hoping you would contribute to this thread. I will do as you suggest.

[James G.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

i have '57 corvette #646; it's 250hp fi with manual trans. I have two fuel filter canisters that have just been re-plated in cadmium with the significant help of richard fortier. The canisters are slightly different (see picture). One has a circumferential crimp just above the base and the other has three equally spaced dimples just above the base. Both features serve to retain the inner cup the one with the dimples came to me with the car and had a lid with square bosses on the inlet/outlet; it was on the car as long ago as 1985. The one with the crimp i got from john degregory a few years ago with a lid having rounded bosses. For my early car, i will use the lid with the rounded bosses. But i'm wondering about the history of these differences in the canisters and which one would be best to use on my car. The judging manual says nothing about this canister design feature. I've looked through ken kayser's book and all of the pictures of the '57 fi engines show canisters with the crimp, but the engineering drawing at the bottom of page 501 specifies the dimples. Does anyone have any insight into the history of these differences?

Thanks.

i sent this note to ken. I have his email. I also have his phone

[John D.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

Here's why some of the repro parts aren't as accurate as they should be. We sometimes use NOS parts bought over the counter from Chevy as being the real deal. When in fact they are just a service replacement part.

Hence a 'repo '57 fuel filter cannister sans the groove/ indentation on the bottom.
By the way Peter if you want the groove put in your one cannister Gary Pronesti could do that for you. John

[Rick A.]

Re: 1957 Fuel Injection fuel filter canister differences

What John says NOS and really NORS! People get REAL UPSET with me when I tell them that at swap meets, etc.