Vapor lock

[709karl]

The issue of vapor lock is well known for KF cars & I'm sure much has been considered on this topic. What  patterns of experience have you had with this and what corrective measures taken? I mean, obviously, the car stops...out of gas.   ...at what point of use & when it cools to restart etc. thanks    War stories?

[Doc]

Routing of the fuel line and hoses well away from the engine exhaust manifold and installation of a toggle switch activated electric fuel pump in the fuel line back near the tank. Insulate fuel lines.
But my previous experience during a long drive in a hot August, the electric pump was not enough to overcome the vapor lock that would occur at about 50-60 mph upon negotiating a hill. The problem in this case was the fuel line was much too close to the heat from the manifold and I rerouted. Time to restart was typically about ten minutes as I recall. Hudsons are also prone to vapor lock.

[709karl]

Thanks. I've done the electric pump & switch. It's not routed through the mechanical pump, by necessity...still has intermittent dry spells. Did you install a fuel pressure gauge? Great feedback. Thanks

[Doc]

I did install a fuel pressure regulator on the '54 Manhattan but my other cars I have not done that due to infrequent use (mostly for priming after maybe weeks of sitting) and the electric pumps I use are in the maximum pressure range of about 4.5 psi.  There have been three instances where I forgot and left the electric pumps on, even for a 3-4 hours, but I had no problems. I just never installed an indicator light.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I have owned a lot of Henry Js. Never had a vapor lock issue. Has anyone had a problem with the J.

[Fid]

I never had nor heard of a Henry J that vapor locked. I had a '48 Frazer that was just about undrivable in the summer it vapor locked so bad. I've got a '51 Kaiser special which we rerouted the fuel line and made a "baffle" to deflect heat off the fuel pump and it always works fine on the hot days. I drove it a couple of times in 98/99 degree heat last Aug and it never vapor locked.