Steve,

While most gascolators work as a filter, I've always thought of it as the
last ditch trap for water in the fuel - as long as it's located at the
lowest point in the fuel system. Of course, if the tanks hold a significant
amount of water, the small bowl on the typical gascolator can quickly be
overwhelmed - but be that as it may, I'd rather have one than break new
ground in my fuel system by omitting it.

This is one place we should take a cue from the certificated guys. You can
bet that if history didn't indicate the need, C or P, et al, would have
eliminated the thing a long time ago if for no other reason than
cost-cutting.

I've read, somewhere, that fuel system problems are one of the leading
causes of downed experimental airplanes. There are some times when adding a
belt to your suspenders ain't all bad.

Dan Schaefer