It is not clear if the screws were removed or not.   Examination of another unit at an FBO here reveal some screws in same condition.   Andair's reply to me follows.   I am a little perplexed because the "stagged" screws are not commonly seen (by me anyways) yet the filter bowl is safety wired.   These probably should be cap screws with drilled heads that are safety wired.   All other fuel fittings in the engine compartment are far more robust.  I'm almost tempted to dump the unit for a fuel filter assembly with steel fittings.

From Andair:
> Dear Paul,
>            When a Gascolator or Fuel Selector is dispatched from the factory with female fittings, the fittings are just pushed on the body and a screw pack complete with Allen key is supplied in the box.
> The reason for this is when the builder wants to position say a 90deg or 45 deg fitting it never tightens at the correct angle, so in all other cases it is overtightened or is too slack. So, in our case the fitting can be taken off and arranged at 90deg increments, thereby establishing the correct torque on the fitting. Andair suggest that the fitting then be "stagged" (the countersunk screw holding the fitting to the body be damaged to prevent the screw "backing out" there is a small half hole in the fitting for that purpose) If this function cannot be carried out then Loctite should be used.
>         Regards
>                   Andy Phillips


On 2013-06-05, at 8:55 AM, "Bill Bradburry" <bbradburry@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Paul,
> I wonder if, after looking at the unit, you think the punched screws were
> removed for some reason and replaced with non-punched screws, or if you
> think the body of the Gascolator was punched when there were no screws
> installed?  Does the countersink appear that there was a screw in place when
> the punch was done??
>
> Bill