Vapor Lock
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New User
Joined: Jun 2012
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Vapor Lock
Hi,
My new to me 400 ford stalls after idling for 25 minutes. The temperature was 180 degrees and directly after it stalls it cannot be restarted until it sits for 5 minutes. I pulled a spark plug wire off and cranked the engine while grounding the plug wire with a screwdriver to the valve covers. I got good spark that arcs easily. Then I pulled the fuel line where a rubber line meets hard tube after the fuel pump. When I did this the fuel shot out approx 1 foot and spurted several times, there was also a hissing noise but i am unsure if that was from the line, or fuel hitting the hot radiator. I'm not sure what is wrong but i am thinking vapor lock. It has new gas treated with seafoam in case this is a dirty carb issue.
I recorded pulling the fuel line if that is any help.
Vapor Lock 400 Ford - YouTube
Thanks, Nick
My new to me 400 ford stalls after idling for 25 minutes. The temperature was 180 degrees and directly after it stalls it cannot be restarted until it sits for 5 minutes. I pulled a spark plug wire off and cranked the engine while grounding the plug wire with a screwdriver to the valve covers. I got good spark that arcs easily. Then I pulled the fuel line where a rubber line meets hard tube after the fuel pump. When I did this the fuel shot out approx 1 foot and spurted several times, there was also a hissing noise but i am unsure if that was from the line, or fuel hitting the hot radiator. I'm not sure what is wrong but i am thinking vapor lock. It has new gas treated with seafoam in case this is a dirty carb issue.
I recorded pulling the fuel line if that is any help.
Vapor Lock 400 Ford - YouTube
Thanks, Nick
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
vapor lok?
yeah vapor lok sucks. boiled the carb/fuel situation. one of the things i do is blk off my heat crossover ports to intake. aluminum intake and valley pans helps in hot weather climate for sure. figure out a way to reroute away from block fuel line. good luck.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 369
Likes: 2
From: BC Cana'duh
Yes,insulate the fuel line.You can use the foam pipe insulation from any hardware store.Where the fuel line nears the exhaust,you can take a length of 3/8" hose and slice in open to sleeve it over the line.I also wrap the hose with exhaust heat wrap or header wrap.I'll post a pic of my set-up.I've been doing this for years to prevent vapor lock.Just use common sense when you wrap the line.I also make a carb heat shield from a sheet of aluminum.
New User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
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iv'e had this issue so many times with my 351/400 finally had enough! and completly rerouted the fueling no longer does it go over the block 
, imo there is just way to much heat, block,water pump, so i went and got a fitted tube bent it to where i wanted,went to the junk yard found a old school trans cooler it was 5 inches tall by 3 or 4 inches wide and routed it to the front of my raidator and the line are no were near the block.also bought upgraded fuel hose also, hasnt let me down yet and vapor lock on the freeway is a mother !@#$
, imo there is just way to much heat, block,water pump, so i went and got a fitted tube bent it to where i wanted,went to the junk yard found a old school trans cooler it was 5 inches tall by 3 or 4 inches wide and routed it to the front of my raidator and the line are no were near the block.also bought upgraded fuel hose also, hasnt let me down yet and vapor lock on the freeway is a mother !@#$
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia
X2 on the radiator cap also. 78RR, thats a good idea for the fuel, bit of overkill but hey. Big thing too is new fuel hose and not that nice neat but metal fuel line. Better insulation and a bit more volume also to prevent @#$% happening.
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