Westerbeke 63B fuel inlet filter

[suiramor]

I am confused about this how and where to install this filter. The fuel pump label (picture attached) on the engine clearly says "incoming fuel must be filtered to 75-200 microns". However, the connecting line goes directly to my fuel/water separation filter (+-20 years old engine). Page 142 in Westerbeke's official parts catalog shows a filter (see part 59 in the attached picture) but I cannot see the complete part (53, etc.)anywhere on my engine. There is a Westerbeke part set for 63B/C that includes both this filter and another one P/N 48076 (picture attached), which I cannot find anywhere in the parts manual. It seems you can screw it directly into the pump. I am not sure whether I do need a filter, where the 'official' listed part goes or whether the unlisted part that is part of the part kit is what I can attach. I assume there is no downside (beyond the engine not getting fuel) in trying the last option but thought I should see whether anyone else has some experience with that.

[tkeithlu]

It's a bit confusing, but isn't #53 the fuel pump (red cylinder) in the photo?

Consider approaching the problem from the goal. Westerbeke wants you to keep gravel out of the fuel pump (75-200 microns?). My recommendation is that you install a Racor filter in the fuel line before the pump. 30 microns would be easy. That little inline filter bothers me, because if you've got junk in your tank (+20 years?) it could get blocked at a very inconvenient moment.

[suiramor]

Thanks for your reply. No, the red cylinder is the heat exchanger, connected to outside water - no fuel lines going there! You can see the zinc anode on the left side of it.

[Nord Sal]

These are facet pumps. The drawing shows a different type of pump, cylindrical in shape, that has an internal filter. Your square box pump has an external in-line filter. The external filter should thread into the inlet of your pump and the fuel supply hose should attach to the filter.

You need a racor type filter upstream of this filter. It sounds like you do have one.

[suiramor]

Thanks. Yes, there is another (bigger) filter upstream. So, the little filter I was sent by Westerbeke in the maintenance kit must be the one I should use now. It does screw into the pump. Thanks again.