Vapor Lock...V-12

[its a V-12]

For the second time this season my 48LC with V-12 vapor locked leaving a show. I had to be hand pushed to start... Very Embarrasing <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />!!!..I understand that by putting in an electric fuel pump will solve the vapor lock problem. I am hesitant only from wanting to keep the car original but on the same token do not want to go through a vapor lock situation, again. Is there something else I can do to prevent the vapor lock??? My waterpumps have been rebuilt by Skip Haney and the engine does run cooler. I would appreciate any assistance with this problem...Thanks and Regards...

[no more]

This is the common problem, or so it seems nobody agrees on..(just wait,

some know it all will discount anything i say, but I drive...my v-12 as a

daily driver)

I dont believe in electric fuel pumps or plastic lenses..if it worked

in the 40's.......I have found no substitue for fresh quality fuel pump..tight quality

rubber fuel line..under hood junction ..and tight steel lines under car.

Fuel in the line between carb and pump develops air pocket, fromm evaporating fuel..heat

I keep fuel full in tank (retains cold longer) seems to help..some say split a piece of rubber 3/8 hose..sandwich it over line..insulates heat..old boys talk clothes pins etc...I drove 80 mph

2 weeks ago..95+ heat in irish hills mi, stopped for lunch had to prime to resstart..fuel line was

too hot to hold!! started and ran rest of the day...nature of the beast!!

Did Mr Ford have an electric pump on that 39 in fla during that famous winter so many years ago.."people stared with unbridled admiration"

I think not.

keep the faith..drive those lincolns..

j booth

sylvania ohio

1232

[Mike Cullen]

"Vapor Lock" is indeed extremely rare. Another possibility is deterioriation in the short rubber section of fuel line on the inlet side of fuel pump, case distortion as described above, leaky or cracked diaphragm in the fuel pump, or a worn fuel pump pushrod. Putting an in-line "primer pump" only covers up your real problem. Check for vacuum leaks around the various fittings on the intake manifold, they can cause problems with fuel delivery too. (I found a leak in my windshield wiper motor vacuum hose that when fixed really made a difference at idle and low RPM, especially hot)

(Same reply as in general forum)

[imported_v12lincoln]

I drive my 48 Lincoln conv every chance I get and use to have vapor lock problems, the only problem I had was the heater hose running from the drivers side to the dash heater was running under the fuel bowl of the fuel pump creating a heat soak condition. Once moved I have had no more problems.

I do have an electric pump just for back up on long trips as I dont carry a rebuild kit for the fuel pump.Check the way your hoses run.

[CBoz]

I've heard people say that part of the problem is that the characteristics of gasoline have changed, making vapor lock more of a problem now. Any opinions on this?

All I know is that I regularly drive my '66 Mustang, which has a lot more in common with the Zephyrs than a modern car, and I've never had a problem with vapor lock -- before or after I restored the car. Hmmmm

[AceCollins]

Cecil knows that I drive my old stuff a lot. My 34 Auburn and 37 Lincoln get out and about at least two times a week. Before I put my 36 Cord into the body shop, drove it a couple of times a week as well (and Cords are also supposed to be prone to vapor lock). My son drives our 65 Mustang every day. It has been very hot here in Texas this spring and none of my cars has ever vapor locked this year or in the past. I actually took the Zephyr out two summers ago during the hottest part of the day when the real high that day was 111, it ran well, did not overheat and started right up three or four times. Now it was really warm in in the passenger compartment, so the driver almost vapor locked.

All my cars are set up just like they were set up at the factory, but with the exceptions of inline fuel filters. My Cord is the only one with an electric fuel pump. The Cord left the assembly line with one as it had a factory supercharge cam. Don't know if this information helps, but thought I would toss it out.