Yes, the fuel line must be bent to clear the horn when a fuel filter is used on your '48.
The
1951 Accessories Installation Manual shows how to
cut and bend the fuel line for the fuel filter to avoid touching the horn mounted on the intake manifold. The manual specifies a 60-deg fitting between the fuel filter and the carb. The 60deg fitting was necessary in order to use the bend in the original fuel line.
This is the original 60deg fitting (2nd from top)I don't believe that the fitting is available. The pic that Gus (DADS50) posted shows a 60deg fitting that AD_Pickup had custom milled for the operation. Since you are bending new lines, you can use a 45deg fitting.
This is a 45deg fitting on the 1953+ Durex filter on my '54. Note - The '54 horn did not mount to the manifold, so I bent the line as I saw fit.
The GM fuel filter accessory used in 1948 was probably a #986128 Durex. Short glass bowl with thumbscrew bolt though the bowl and metal filter.
It is pictured in the 1951 Accessories Installation Manual (on a car). Here are some
close up pics of the filter.A number of glass bowl filters could have been used on your '48. They pop up on ebay pretty regularily. Reproductions of AC filters (which started in 1956) are available from most vendors. Here are glass bowl filters from the 40's and 50's.
<Pic>Left to right ... Carter ... AC Repro ... '50-'54+Durex Moraine (with spring incorrectly inserted upside down) ... '40-'49 Durex Moraine (with cut-down Durex filter to fit)
Chevs of the 40's and Ecklers have the
clips to bind the vac line to the fuel line.Since the fuel filter was a dealer or owner installed option, just about anything you use will be "appropriate."
