55/98

I would like some feed back on vapor lock of gas. can it be at the tank or just at carb and lines to carb ? This is definetly heat related, when it is in the upper 80s and 90s. First time was after a long highway trip and a couple long trafic lights it just died and wouldnt restart. I thought I ran out of gas, put gas in tank still would not start so I poured some gas in carb and it fired right up and kept running.
The next time was coming home from work, combination hiway city city being last leg , same thing happened but this time I was rolling down my street and coasted to the driveway. car did same thing as first time had to pour gas in carb to get it running again.
And that brings to today, Iwas on my way to a car show 20 miles out of town and it started again only this time was at highway speed and I was able to keep it running. Acted like it was starving for fuel so I turned around and once back in town was alright. I drove it this evening with no issues as it was cooler outside. Boy this turned out to be a long winded thing didnt it. This may help its a 55 olds 324 4bbl carb is a edelbrock.
Thank you in advance for any help you all can offer up.

MDchanic

Sounds like vapor lock.

I can't speak from experience with your exact model, but I know that in similar cars we have had success putting an electric fuel pump in back, right by the tank, to push cool fuel through the lines, past the "vapor" point. It doesn't have to run all the time - you can use a momentary or toggle switch and just turn it on when there's a problem (or to fill the carb when it's been sitting a while).

- Eric

oldcutlass

Check your fuel line routing, make sure there is about 2.5 inches of space between it and any hot engine parts. Sometimes you can wrap insulation around it to reflect some of that heat. Also replace the fuel filter/s as anything that slows the fuel flow seems to aggravate the scenario.

Rickman48

They make a 3/8 insulating spacer for q-jets and holleys - gets the carb away from the manifold heat passage, and makes a world of difference!
See if you can find one for an e-brock, or stack some thick gaskets.

55/98

Thanks for the responses guys I will see what I can find . I was thinking about an electric fuel pump as the mechanical one looks to be leaking a little. Again thank you.

bdub217

I would update it with an electric fuel pump, if indeed you can afford it.

The_German

We had problems like that and it turned out to be the fuel pump!! The pump would function for a while, but once it got too hot, the fuel pump would run slower and the fuel pumped into the carb would not be sufficient.
I changed the fuel pump on my 56 as I am absolutely against an electric fuel pump. These cars functioned more than 50 years with a mechanic fuel pump and now, all of a sudden, we need an electric one?
NO WAY!

By the way, are you sure that your gas tank is clean and does not contain any rust flakes that could clogg up the fuel lines?

bdub217

I'm not against replacing your fuel pump with the original style, just don't know how available they are, that's why I was saying go with an electric. Try cleaning out the system with some Seafoam in the gas tank and main brake booster line.

Tedd Thompson

Fusick's has a rebuild service for fuel pumps, looks to be about $115.00 from my catalog. You might give them a call for current pricing. They also come up on Flee- bay from time to time, but keep in mind that anything very old will not be set up for modern gas. ...Tedd

55/98

I installed another carb on the olds today. drove it around in 92 degree heat in town and had no problems. I'll see how it goes.

bdub217

hoping for the best!!!!!!

55miketn

Vapor lock is caused when the fuel is vaporized before it can enter the manifold. Usually is caused by a fuel line too close to a heat source(exhaust header, head, etc,,). Can be a carb problem, especially if the manifold has a crossover heat passage for an auto. choke. If the carb fixes the problem, great!!

mrolds69

It's true that mechanical pumps have worked thru the 50's, 60's, etc. My understanding is the new gas formula evaporates faster. It's possible that's contributing to the prob. I had a stock 74 GTO years ago with the same prob as you. I tried everything, new pump, moving lines, insulating...the only thing that fixed it was an electric pump. I can't explain why! My 69 442 is all stock and I've never had a prob.

55/98

So far the carb has solved the problem. I have driven the car several times in the heat of the day, had a long wait getting into local drag strip couple weekends ago, temp gauge got up pretty hot with no problems. Thanks for all the replies.