Fuel System: fuel line

[len]

Anyone have any suggestions for a wrap for the fuel line to help stop vaper lock.

[JimC]

A local chapter member would stick clothespins on his fuel line. Worked like a charm.

Personally, I think wraps aren't very useful. I mean, maybe they keep heat out for a little bit, but the truth is that it's a couple hundred degrees under your hood. Short of the stuff they use on the space shuttle for re-entry (which neither you nor I can afford), there just aren't really any insulation materials in the minuscule thickness needed that would hold back that heat for a good length drive. On top of that, being soaked in that hot air for so long, the insulating material will just absorb all the heat and hold onto it after the car is shut off, potentially making vapor lock worse.

Being in central California, your climate is probably mild enough that your best bet is probably to block off the heat risers on your intake. If possible, route your fuel line away from any heat sources. Then you'll be miles ahead of any insulators, at least in my humble opinion.

Though you could still give the clothespins a shot if you'd like

[JimC]

Another aid that might be more beneficial than a wrap is adding an electric pump right off the gas tank. Before you start, turn it on for a few seconds, and you're set.

[JoeHall]

I have slipped heater hoses over the fuel line, but don't know if it helped or not. If you look at places like Summitt, JEGS, Speedway, etc., they offer lots of fuel line insulators. Also, if you do a search in the archives here, you will find tons of info on vapor lock, and everything related.

Living in Central CA, I am sure vapor lock is an issue for you this time of the year, as it is for most of us, including Stude drivers in Canada !

[Skybolt]

For some reason I have not had a Studebaker suffer with vapor lock. I live in SOCAL and used to live in the outback of Australia and still no vapor lock. I have always used a heat blocking type of spacer for the carbs and if possible a new or rebuilt pump. The last engine in my LArk was an OHV six which came from a 62, but the engine was a rebuilt 63, and it also came with a black woven sleeve for the fuel line under the hood near the exhaust manifold. It probably did nothing for the ambient heat but did stop the radiant heat from getting to the fuel line.

[bezhawk]

I've used this to insulate power steering hoses that pass within 1/2" of tube headers. It works. http://compare.ebay.com/like/1111097...Types&var=sbar