[C320-list] Racor location

[Jack Brennan]

Hi David:

I just finished replacing my old Racor  with a 500 that I installed in the port lazarette, just to starboard of the access door that is between the lazarette and the aft cabin.

I posted a fairly long note a couple of weeks back on how I did it. If you can’t find it, let me know and I will send it to your personal email.

It’s a worthwhile project and not that difficult to do. The new Racor is easy to access. The unit itself is also much easier to use. I also replaced the fuel lines, which is worth doing after 20 years of service.

One addition I recently made, not in the original note, is I spent $95 on a pressure gauge that fits at the top of the Racor 500, where you screw down the handle and secure the filter. This gives you early warning if the filter starts to clog.

The new filter is about on a level with the fuel tank. It can be higher or lower. It doesn’t really make any difference, although I wouldn’t put it directly over the tank because that’s a steep climb for the fuel. 

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.
Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay




Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: David Veeneman
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2020 12:48 PM
To: C320 Assn Forum
Subject: [C320-list] Racor location

My Raycor filter is located in the engine compartment, mounted low in the bilge. It’s an inconvenient location for servicing—the drain plug is only an inch or so above the bottom of the bilge, which makes it difficult to drain the bowl without spilling diesel in the bilge. 

I’m thinking about moving the Raycor to the starboard lazarette, above the fuel tank. Has anyone done this? Pros and cons of doing it? Thanks. 

--
David Veeneman
SV Adelante, Hull #131
Dana Point, CA