I was picking up parts yesterday in my '49, there was a bridge repair I got caught in an slow movement for 30 minutes combined with 95F air temp caused the truck to vapor lock. Temp gauge went between 3/4-H.
Are there any easy fixes for vapor locking fuel? My truck doesn't have the cooling fan shroud.

 

Vapor lock was the subject of a recent thread. My 2 cents is to clip clothes pins on the fuel line. It worked for me years ago. If you try it post the results.

 

Here's the link to the thread Bill was referencing;

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-remedies.html

Also please tell us about your engine and fuel system if it's non stock. A fan shroud will help. In city traffic, it's almost required in my opinion. And if you haven't already, try a non Ethanol blend.

 

The '49 is stock, when I bought the fan shroud wasn't included. I also own an '48 F5 & '52 F5 and they both have the shroud. I live in OH, so 10% ethanol is required unless you go to a marina. I don't often drive in traffic, I have never experienced vapor lock in this truck. I also have the stock 160F thermostats installed, when i bought it the engine really ran warm and after a little digging I found that someone had 195F thermostats in it but it did come from MN.

 

Fan shroud and if you can't buy No E gas try using a higher octane gas.

 

And check out this Thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rb-spacer.html

You might want to try Dennis Carpenter heat barrier instead of spacer.

 

Thanks for the replies, I found the problem to be a partially clogged fuel line. The problem would manifest in hot weather.

I've always known my fuel tank has needed replaced, when I bought the truck it was probably 80% restored and evidently had been sitting for ???????years. I removed fuel tank and cleaned, then installed a suction side filter ahead of the fuel pump. Finally over the last month I was seeing less rust in the clear bowl of the suction Racor filter and thought I must finally have the tank cleaned up. Once again I was wrong as I decided to disconnect the fuel line and give it a shot of air from air compressor, problem solved.

My original thinking was I would hold off replacing the fuel tank until it started leaking. Later today I am going to take my mechanics magnet and see what rust I can remove through the fuel fill.

 

For a couple hundred bucks, is it really worth messing with and being stranded again? That's about the cost of a tow bill. How much time and money do you already have invested and still not fixed the issue? My 2c. Gas Tanks | 1948-52 F1 - F2 1953-56 F100 - F250 | LMC Truck

 

While you're at it, throw in an electric fuel pump and regulator. Stalling out in traffic is nothing I'd want to deal with.