Filler Screen/Flame Arrestor

v8fordman

v8fordman

Well-known member
Just wondering how many different versions there were of the filler screen/flame arrestor? Were any of them a smaller diameter? I have a ‘31 roadster that I changed the gas tank out because of rust. The old one had threads. I have bought new screens and have four originals with threads and tabs. I can’t get any of them to even start to go into the tank. Any suggestions? Pictured are two originals.
 

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v8fordman said:
Just wondering how many different versions there were of the filler screen/flame arrestor? Were any of them a smaller diameter? I have a ‘31 roadster that I changed the gas tank out because of rust. The old one had threads. I have bought new screens and have four originals with threads and tabs. I can’t get any of them to even start to go into the tank. Any suggestions? Pictured are two originals.
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Leave it out..two types threaded or with tabs.
 
To complement the response, the screen was called an arrestor , not so much a filter. I've had cars with both types, and on one of the tanks, a prior owner couldn't get the threads free ,late '31', so cut out the arrestor screen and left the threaded end. I had to take a tab repro and cut the screen to lessen the diameter , rivet it together and drop it in. It can reduce fuel sloshing, but is removed when fill ups with modern nozzles.
 
It's purpose is actually a flame arrester. You have to run the modern gas pumps on a slower speed because when these were designed in the 20s and early 30s Gas pumps were gravity fed, which was a much slower fill rate than the current pumps. I personally would not Run a car without it. It's a good fire safety device to prevent a fire hazard should the car roll over and fuel leak out. Remember you are sitting very close to the fuel tank and in a severe accident my be unconscious and unable to get out of the vehicle.
 
v8fordman said:
Just wondering how many different versions there were of the filler screen/flame arrestor? Were any of them a smaller diameter? I have a ‘31 roadster that I changed the gas tank out because of rust. The old one had threads. I have bought new screens and have four originals with threads and tabs. I can’t get any of them to even start to go into the tank. Any suggestions? Pictured are two originals.
Click to expand...
delete
 
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I decided to remove my arrestor/filter screen ( that’s what Ford called it) and it was so tight . I used a good penetrating oil on the threaded area , adding more oil very day for several days , finally it broke loose . Used one of the model A suppliers tools and a short extension and racket , held the extension with one hand and bumped the racket handle with the other hand , impacts weather with your hand bumping or an impact wrench or striking a tool with a hammer will shock the rusted tight joint .

Getting the loosened screen out of the tank was also difficult , the screen seamed like it was a large diameter than the opening ?! I wiggled the screen front to back side to side pulling it up . Reinstalling the same screen was difficult so I squeezed by hand to the outside of the screen until the threaded portion of the screen meet the tank . Getting the screen threading into the tank was also difficult ! Once it was started I only tightened it loosely for ease of removing later when I needed to fill the tank , what a pain . I thought about drilling the bottom of the screen with holes like the sides but decided not to because it may make the screen weak .

Screen or no screen when filling the tank keep the fuel nozzle against the side of the inlet to the tank , keeping a ground pathway for static electricity , you sure don’t want a spark while you’re pumping gas !!
 
There is a really good reason that these screens are in there.

The most important is in case of a �� fire. With the screen in place the fire will stay within the screen as in a gas lantern. Without the screen, the fire will go into the gas tank.

With the screen in place you can just put the gas cap back on and the fire is out.

As with any fire other things could happen, but the screen is there to limit potential problems.
 
I have been driving Model A's since 1962, and I have yet to hear of a fire due to the removal of a flame arrestor.
 
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