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Discussion Topic:
Vapor lock?
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Flatbob |
08-18-2012 @ 12:14 PM
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Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009
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My '36 is garage kept, in the summer temp. in the garage is 80 plus degrees. The car will start immediately in the garage but when I move out on to the street in 100 plus degrees it won't start after sitting for a half hour. Could this be vapor lock?
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Old Henry |
08-18-2012 @ 12:19 PM
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Senior
Posts: 738
Joined: Apr 2010
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Vapor Lock would certainly be my number one suspect. One way to determine is take a jug of water along and when it won't start pour water on the fuel pump. That should cool it down and condense the vaporized fuel back into liquid so it can pump. Worked for me and I did that until I installed a backup electric pump back by the fuel tank to switch on momentarily to prime the mechanical pump when vapor locked. Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.)
This message was edited by Old Henry on 8-18-12 @ 12:20 PM
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Flatbob |
08-18-2012 @ 1:03 PM
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Member
Posts: 437
Joined: Oct 2009
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Henry, thanks for responding. Am going to put some cold water on pump & fuel line.
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TomO |
08-19-2012 @ 11:09 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7274
Joined: Oct 2009
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I doubt that your problem is vapor lock. It sounds more like a flooded engine due to a high float level. Check your plugs after it has been sitting to see if any of them are wet.
Tom
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supereal |
08-19-2012 @ 11:14 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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How old is your coil? Almost all old Ford coils fail when they get hot. Resistance rises and the voltage drops below the level needed to start and run the car. This has caused old Fords to be cursed with the "vapor lock" diagnosis for decades. Take a jumper wire along, and if the car won't start, connect the coil input directly to the battery. If it starts, it is time to have your coil rebuilt.
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Don |
08-19-2012 @ 4:19 PM
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Member
Posts: 24
Joined: Nov 2009
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What I did on my 37, was to put a 3 position switch under the dash, hot right off the battery. One lead went to a electric fuel pump and the other buy-passed the resistor, straight to the coil. I just switch to one or the other as needed. Don
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