Diesel fuel in gasoline- anti vapor lock?

[53k]

I have heard the comment about adding diesel fuel to your gas tank to prevent vapor locks. I don't remember how much though. How does it prevent vapor lock? I know too much diesel is bad (don't ask me how I know). Then, would kerosene do the same thing?

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia

[64V-K7]

I believe the Rx was 1 quart per tankful (might have been 1 gallon), but a quart wouldn't hurt anything right off. It does raise the octane (flashpoint) and in turn, reduces the tendency to vapor lock.




Bob Johnstone

https://www.studebaker-info.org

64 GT Hawk
55 President State Sedan
70 Avanti (R3)

[Tom Bredehoft]

I tried a gallon per tank, car stumbled on the way home, had to turn on the electric pump. I think the diesel solution is an urban legend.



[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[55 prez]

Diesel fuel does help reduce vapor lock but 1 gallon per tank full is four time too much. Try one quart.

Jim Caldwell
"The view don't change if you ain't the lead dog"

[jrock]

when I went to the Vegas international I had trouble with vapor lock until Iwas getting gas at a station outside of Denver and an old time mechanic told me to put a qt. of diesel in tank. It worked from there to Vegas and back to Mn.
Jim

jrock

[Tom Bredehoft]

I'll stick with the return fuel line. It looks neat and doesn't vapor lock. Period.


[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[Dads Baby]

I tried this trick last summer. It did not work for me. So far the only thing that has helped has been an electric fuel pump.

Carey
Packard Hawk

[53k]

My question is- will kerosene do the same thing? I have 10 gallons of kero I bought just before my kerosene heater got knocked off a high shelf in my shop and smashed.

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia

[nvonada]

Make sure it is pure vapor lock too. My "vapor lock" symptoms were entirely due to crap in the tank and line. Cleaned that up and the car has never had a problem since.

_______________

http://stude.vonadatech.com

[BobGlasscock]

My vapor lock turned out to be a mis-adjusted carbuerator float. I had every other fix on it except the electric fuel pump and none of them worked, cuz they weren't the problem.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[Tom Bredehoft]

I'm beginning to suspect improper float level, my 53 seems to run out of gas before peak revs under heavy acceleration. Like just before you shift into second it boggs down. It's OK if I stay away from on ramps and 1/8 mile traps.

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Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 571 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[candbstudebakers]

Ya Paul 10 gals. might be a bit to much, I remember and still have some if in the shop...Bob

[jeryst]

quote:Originally posted by 53k

My question is- will kerosene do the same thing? I have 10 gallons of kero I bought just before my kerosene heater got knocked off a high shelf in my shop and smashed.

You can run kerosene in a diesel engine, although you shouldnt run it straight because it runs a lot hotter. I was told that sometimes, truck drivers throw some in their tank to keep the diesel fuel from gelling in really cold weather. Although I am no expert, I think it would work the same as diesel fuel for your purpose. I'd put less in, though. Maybe just a cup to a tank full. You might also try dry-gas to see if it helps. You know for sure that it wont harm your engine.