Summer is on its way which brings the unwanted " Vapor Lock" issues.  You may recall in the November 2010 Rumble Sheet we introduced the Fuel Line Insulation Kit for Carbureted Fuel Systems (enough product to do 2 vehicles) by JC Whitney SKU Number: 1JA 377543Manufacturer Number: FJN0.00BK Price $18.99 (kit) plus shipping. Ken Depe in the OKC Club had used this specific product to assist in reducing vapor lock with good results.  A few of us in Tulsa followed his advice and installed the insulation kit as well. 

 In this article we will add two more things you may wish to consider in reducing/eliminating vapor locking.  First, is switching from a metal sediment bowl to a glass sediment bowl to reduce heat transfer/buildup on the gas supply system. As you know these are readily available at various parts suppliers. 

 Second, is the introduction of a new air breather design.  Many of us use an air maze or air filter on our carburetors.  These products draw air from one of the hottest places in the engine compartment that being near the manifold/muffler area which in turn is used for combustion. The OKC Club has introduced another new item to combat vapor lock as well as they think improves the performance of the carburetor.  This is a new breather design that draws air from the front area of the engine compartment. As you can see in the picture the breather is connected to the throat of the carburetor with a 90 degree bend back under the carburetor toward the front of the motor.  This allows cooler air to be used for combustion.  This product can be made from all PVC pipe or in my case I used the connection piece from the air maze to the carburetor then used PVC for the balance of the construction.  All PVC pieces are 1 1/2" ID with the air scoop being a 1 1/2" to a 3" coupler.  The scoop is covered with black aluminum screen and is secured with a hose clamp. I drilled a 1/8" hole on the bottom of the pipe where it joins the 90 degree connection to allow any gas that may accumulate there to escape.  Lightly scuff the surface of the PVC product and paint with high temp engine paint (as you can see from picture I used black).

 This is three things we can do to take corrective action on reducing and we hope eliminating vapor locking.  If you have any questions or suggestions please let me know.