Vapor Lock on a 360 FE

[TomJag1]

Hello:

My 17 year old's project truck, a 67 F100 stepside with a 360 FE has a nagging problem we need help to correct. It seems like after getting gas or driving it a while, that vapor lock occurs. The engine is difficult to start, sputtering and stalling. Sometimes won't restart at all until it sits for a while. Seems to me it's vapor lock. We are in Colorado where the air is thin. I've had suggestions to go with insulated fuel lines and keep the lines away from the block, and swith to an electric fuel pump. Can anyone confirm these suggestions, or is there other fixes out there.

Also, can anyone recommend a timing setting for an engine at altitude (5280 ft above sea level.)

Thanks!

Tom

[1970 Hi-Boy]

Your lines should not touch the block anywhere, and make sure the line to the fuel pump is plenty clear of the exhaust pipe.

[Pat Crash]

I've been having the same issue (along with many others on this board). Search the term "Heat Soak" and you will get a lot of good information.

[HIO Silver]

FWIW, it may not be a heat soak/vapor lock problem. I had the same symptoms with my 65 Mustang and an Autolite 2100. It ran fine but had trouble restarting after its initial run. 'Turned out the accelerator pump diaphram had a small pinhole which let the fuel in the bowl drain down the intake manifold, thus creating a flooded condition. Only letting it sit awhile and letting the fuel vapors dissipate could it be restarted.

A $22 carb kit and full rebuild fixed the problem.

[mrtleavitt]

Similar problem here and it was gummed up fuel lines and fuel filter. Same exact symptoms and I was baffled for a while. I had to blow out the the metal lines with air and it was nasty.

[bedford69]

I had the same thing, a no start issue after driving awhile. Mine had a little dieseling every once in awhile also. Wound up being some debris keeping the needle from seating and causing boil over. Pulled the needle out on the side of the road, wiped it off and its never happened again. Definitely worth checking out.