Shouldn't this fuel filter be FULL of gas...and not just damp?
 

Here's a pic of an inline fuel filter I installed in my '65 Galaxie, 352 engine. It is located under the hood, below the power steering pump.

Should it be full-to-the-brim with gas when the engine is running, and not just-barely-damp as it is now? If you look closely, you can see the gas level on the lower edge of the clear filter.

Or is this about what should be expected inside the filter?

Re: Shouldn't this fuel filter be FULL of gas...and not just damp?
 

Can't tell by the picture but if the top of the picture is the out to the Carb. filter is upside down. Big ring on the filter is the outlet to Carb.

Re: Shouldn't this fuel filter be FULL of gas...and not just damp?
 

As installed now, the top (small ring) is connected to the fuel line from the gas tank; the large ring is connected to the fuel pump inlet line.

Re: Shouldn't this fuel filter be FULL of gas...and not just damp?
 

A filter in the suction line typically won't fill up with fuel.

Re: Shouldn't this fuel filter be FULL of gas...and not just damp?
 

Mine was rarely full. More often than not, it would run at about ¼ in of fuel on the bottom which I could watch the fuel get sucked up through the center of the filter as I manually hit the throttle. It was driving me crazy because it just not make sense that it would not be full. I found after fixing a vacuum leak and rebuilding the carb, it is always completely full now. i have also replaced my rubber fuel lines which could have increased flow. I don't know if any of these actually helped, but so far so good.