I couldn't download your pictures because I'm not a paying member, But... The water seperator canister is usually a filter/seperator, looks like an oil filter, and is disposable. If that's what you have, don't fool around just replace it they're cheap enough. If you're running a Rochester carb, they will usually have a small fuel filter in the carb body at the fuel line entry point. You get at it by removing the fuel line from the carb. The correct way to do this is with two wrenches, a big one to hold the large nut, and a smaller one (preferrably a flare nut wrench), to loosen the flare nut at the fuel line. Put a rag under the line to catch any fuel spillage. Remove the fuel line from the fitting, then loosen the fitting with the big wrench. The small filter is behind that fitting. Be careful when removing it, there's usually a spring in there. Take note of how the filter and spring are installed for reassembly. I would also check the fuel tank pickup, check the tank for water, and fill up with some fresh gas.

Paul

ok -- i'll get a new filter and try all of the suggestions!


thanks guy's!

Yep, Paul described the fuel filter better than me but I can see where it is in your pic. It's in the body of the carb, just where the line meets the carb.
These little filters are cheap and common.

You have nothing to lose by unscrewing the separator and pouring out the contents to see if there is a water bubble at the bottom.

A new separator is about 10 bucks.

In my case, it was the water in the separator that caused my problems. I had some water in my gas, and it took one or two separators to get it out.

Alcohol does not remove water from gas.
The separator does though! Water's heavier and pools at the bottom. The gas floats on top, and the water slowly takes the space until there is only a small amount of gas that can make it over the water.

Then, when you put the bow up trying to get on plane....cough, die.

oh -- mine is a Quadrajet carb

Yep.
Quadra Jet
(Rochester)

hmmm..

i didn't know they were the same!

how do i get a new filter -- is it just a 4 barrel quadrajet? or do i have to know the CFM ?

You could spend a few bucks more ($25) and get a high flow Fram filter/seperator part# PCS5062M that will also have a drain at the bottom. So in the future you can periodicly drain the water from the bottom of the filter/seperator and just change it once a season!:)

do i have to go to a marine store to get those filters? or would napa/auto zone cary that ?

You should find one at a Napa. They tend to have marine versions if there is one, and auto version if it's interchangable.

I bought mine at a marine store.
I'm sure I paid double.

I don't think you need the CFM to get that filter in the carb body.

My guess is that it is more likely that you have water in the first filter than junk in the second.