dreaded vapor lock

Posted by David Grubbs On 2011/7/31 21:13:30

Out driving the 51 today in 100 degree temp to test the new radiator. It works fine, but the bugger bear vapor lock popped up. The car runs fine as long as I don't give it too much fuel. Got home, put it in the garage, then the neighbor wanted a photo of it. Tried to start, but the fuel was boiling - it has a glass type fuel filter in line, in front of the carb. I have the factory issue heat shield over the fuel pump. The line coming out of the fuel pump is steel instead of the old rubber type. The line goes up parallel with the radiator, then curves back close (2" +/-) over the exhaust manifold. I bent the tube away from the manifold, but without much sucess.
Here's what I'm thinking of doing.
1. replace the steel line from the fuel pump with a rubber line.
2. insulate the steel line with an asbestos substitute.
3. route the lines as far away from the exhaust manifold as possible.
4. Get some of Fred Kanter's clothespins.....
Any suggestions?