Stoping Vapor Lock
Curt writes:Hi Doc,
My Z is a 1971 (April of 71) I was wondering if adding an electric fuel pump to help the factory mechanical fuel pump will help stop vapor lock in high heat conditions.(It seems as though it was wired from the factory to put one in by the gas tank)
As you know the engine bay retains a lot of heat in the early Z cars. I often loose power (like the car is starving from lack of fuel) or the car shuts down all together, (especially when I am in stop and go traffic). There are also times that after I shut the car off, to get fuel for me or the car, I have a hard time getting it going again. There has been times when I have to let the car cool down with the hood open for a half hour or so. I was also thinking of taking out the fuel bar w/vapor return and running rubber fuel lines (separate to each carb). My thinking on this is that the metal just absorbs way too much heat. Will I mess things up by not using the vapor return? I will also be putting in an electric fan to help keep things cooler. Thanks for the information on the fuse box problem I had. It was very helpful.
Take it eazzy,
Curt
cbreipohl@capital-engineering.com
Doc replies:
Hi Curt,
Doc here, YES the factory installed the electric ones in the rear to help alleviate the vapor lock type problem, and with today's fuel it would be highly advisable. The factory harness is already in the rear and the installation should be a simple thing to perform. The other thing that the engineers did was to insulate the fuel rail with an aluminum type blanket and
could be fabricated easily, if necessary. Do the pump installation first and then you will determine the necessity if further modifications are necessary. Please keep me posted on your success and testing... I hope that this helps
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