HELP???? 6nz fuel filter base prob

Is this the secondary fuel filter base, the one usually mounted behind the air compressor? Don't know how expensive, but if you want to replace it, I would try a salvage yard.
Same thing happened to me on my '96 3406E in a W9, on a Sunday. I took the base off, then CAREFULLY ( base is aluminum, thin aluminum!) drilled and tapped the hole to 1/4" pipe. ( doing this requires a "bottoming tap"; I simply made one by grinding a tapered tap.) After tapping it to 1/4" pipe threads, I screwed in a 1/4" male x 1/8" female brass bushing, then used a 1/8" hex plug to bleed the air.
If you go this route:
(1) Be VERY CAREFUL drilling and tapping; go too far, and you can bust the plate under the bleeder screw.
(2) Be sure to blow all the shavings out before re assembling.
(3) ALWAYS hold backup on the 1/4" bushing when screwing/unscrewing the 1/8" plug- very easy to strip the aluminum, as you have already found out.

It's not really a hard job, and it lasted me a couple of years til I sold the truck.

As for as installing a different base, I think they were talking about the primary (fuel/water separator), at least the discussions I was involved in were referring to installing the same base used on the 35 series engines (i.e. the 3512), for more fuel flow. On the road now, and don't remember the part #, it was $200.00+, but it wouldn't help you if it is the bleeder screw on the secondary ff base.
Good Luck!

 

The 0R-0749 fuel filter is the filter to use on the secondary base. I use CAT part # 256-8753 as the primary fuel/water separator filter as it is larger and less restrictive

 

Just get rid of it, install a Davco 382 and never look back. You can get 2, 5, 7 and 10 micron filters or higher. I don't know why anyone would want a spin on filter.

 

if just the pump is bad you can replace it or block it off, no need for a whole new base