Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

My '29 was in a St. Patrick's Day parade the other day, and it was warmer than usual. I had an unusual problem surface, that is, my car exhibited signs of vapor lock, which has never happened before. I've ruled-out any other possible fuel-delivery problems, and am now looking for a way to counter having any other slow-speed (crawling) parade issues in the coming summer months.

A member of our car club says this can be a common problem with fully-stock Model A's, and that he's seen at least one vendor out there that markets some type of small heat shield that clamps-on to the fuel line, to at least give it a little added protection from the nearby exhaust manifold. However, I've so far been unable to locate any such product out there.

Does anyone know of a vendor who sells something along these lines? Or, have any other ideas about how to shield the line from excess ambient temps during events such as parades?

I read that some people have slit a rubber fuel line and placed it over their metal fuel lines; I'm wondering how successful that simple approach might be?

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

On our long trips we found people running Marvel Mystery Oil or just ATF in the gas avoided vapor locking. You don't need a whole lot but it works.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

There have been some fuel lines I've seen where the horizontal section wasn't. They where pitched up toward the carburetor and I just 'adjust' the line so it is pitched down.
There has been some talk regarding poor grounding and that the fuel line may be acting as a ground possibly causing the problem.
I have made light shields that bolt to the intake/exhaust retainer bolt and the muffler/pipe clamp. This shield is wider than the manifold and extends from near the carb flange to the muffler. The purpose is more to keep hot manifold air from away from the carb inlet. I just paint them to keep them as inconspicuous as possible.
Over the years I've tried most of the tricks to try and eliminate this issue on many other type cars that really do have vapor lock issues with varied results.
I also like the AFT suggestion. I like to use AFT in the fuel of old and not that often used engines.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

:cool:The best thing I have found is a foam beer can cooler. Slip it over the sediment bowl and run 20 degrees cooler.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

gas with ethanol sometimes will cause a problem try a cup of atf to a full tank of gas.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

I agree the ethanol is the real problem. On the Summer Tour we found the ATF to work well.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

Bob,
I had some issues with my F100 Y-Block. I went to a speed shop/racing supply. They have several types of heat wrap, tube, tape, etc. I bought the braided tubing and secured it with a hog ring at each end.
Ed

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

Did that help ?

I've had good luck with them using a carburetor spacer and/or a heat shield under the carb.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

Here is one that one of the vendors sell , wouldn't be hard to make one .
http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mo...al-finish.html

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

That's to deflect manifold heat away from the distributor. Don't think it's going to help with vapor lock.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

I used some of that split plastic tubing that newer cars use as a wiring harness, except I found some white, which reflects the heat. It helped my fuel problems caused by crap gas. Once I found and bought the good gas I was able to remove the white plastic wrap. I also add 4 oz. MMO to each 10 gallons of good gas.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

If all you can find is black, it works better than just the bare steel gas line.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

I've never heard of adding ATF to the fuel tank. What's the science behind this idea?

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

Last August, I did a 2 mile, parade that took 1 hour to drive in 90F heat... My car had 50/50 coolant and 4oz of MMO per 10 gals of gasoline.. Did MMO make a difference? I cannot say being a newbie but I've kept the 4oz/10 gals since.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

SCIENCE?? I do it because a friend of my next door neighbor's brother said it works...:rolleyes:

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

Mike K. would know the science and correct terms.
I'm just the guy that sat in the rear of chemisty class and played with the bunsen burner.:D

Adding the oil will help the crap gas to not boil so quickly.

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

What makes gasoline boil at a low temperature is the lighter ends (butanes, pentanes) not the alcohol. The lighter ends have always been there although more are blended in in the winter months. Your right tho, todays gas is crap...

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

I made this heat shield when I was having vapor lock problems. Usually boiling in the carburetor is the problem. No problems since it was installed.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=20150
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=20149
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=20151

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

My old buddy Dennis, the B-17 pilot, told me he regularly added a quart of ATF to his gas tanks. I think he said he did it along with every oil change. So it's a fairly old trick.
Fearless

Re: Fuel line shield to prevent vapor lock?
 

David, do you happen to have a photo to share, of the heat shield that you made?