Vapor lock 1990 E350 EFI 460 engine?
So about a year ago we were coming back from a 670-mile trip when we had a major overheat condition. We limped home, but I believe the heat damaged some components. I replaced the stock copper rad...
Forum Discussion
When I was a kid in the 50's, probably half the cars on the road had clothspins clamped on the fuel line to radiate heat from the fuel easing vapor lock.
I have heard of this, and even seen it in a YouTube video, but I find it hard to believe this actually works by radiating heat.
First, wood is not a very good conductor of heat. And even if it was, given the high under-hood temperatures, the result would actually be to wick up heat and put it into the fuel line. This is because heat always moves from hotter-to-colder.
What I suspect is/was actually happening is that wood, being a relatively good insulator was actually insulating the fuel line from the ambient heat in the engine bay. If you clamp a dozen clothes pins onto the fuel line, then all that area is now encased in wood, effectively insulating it.
Carburetor engines often put a phenolic block of plastic between the carb and the intake manifold to try and insulate the carburetor from the heat of the engine.
Steve
