63 Hot Engine Problem

[Richard G.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Vapor lock is much more common at the higher altitudes.

[John D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Use the highest octane ethanol you can find. But that's still no cigar. Switch to 100LL or Racing fuel Harry.
Do what the fellows said. Insulate, etc.
Go on line and type in Pure-Gas.org
Find the right web page. Click on your state and see where all the stations are that have pure gas without ethanol.
Take the hood off and put it in the attic. That helps too. John

[David M.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Ill second the info on blocking off the crossover in the intake. Did this on my BB Olds and the problem vanished and the paint stays on the intake. Once you perform this mod you may need to fiddle with the choke if its its of the divorced style as seen on my 68 Olds. I had to back it way off. Its a bit cold blooded now but Ill take that that over the alternative.

[Chris D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

I would move blocking the hot air channels up to number three on your list. No impact on the stock 63 integrated choke since it draws hot air via a separate circuit.

[Gene M.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

I was having a similar problem with my 67 I had the local speed shop take a look. the car always felt like it was starving for fuel. The shop made me a new fuel line that is away from the manifold and block. She's been running great for the last month.

This is good advise. The replacement pump to carb lines in many cases are too close to hot spots. A custom line a bit longer so as to avert the heat is not even noticeable but saves issues as the O/P inquires about.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Harry, This is probably a last resort, but on my silver L84 '63 I went to a rear mounted electric fuel pump and a return line, eliminating the engine-mounted pump altogether. The fuel lines now come up by the battery and never get close to the exhaust manifold, engine block, heads, or water pump.

Sunday, I drove the car in 95 degree temperatures, with the air conditioning on full, in stop and go traffic, with many long red lights, for almost a hour. I had not one incidence of stumble, idle RPM variation or other common fuelie heat problems. The car also has a electric puller fan and no belt-driven fan. The engine temp never got over 220.

Good luck

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

I am 2/3 of the way through mounting a 'booster' pump in my '63....have power fed off the windshield wiper line so the pump is only on when the key is on - it then goes through a 5 amp blade fuse to a switch in the DS dash side cover....(its a Vintage Air side cover so its already modified) thence under the car through the frame to the PS rear area near the short rubber tank hose. It took all day to do the wiring and I will have the booster pump plumbed in either tomorrow or Wed. The intent is to only run the thing on super-hot, steamy Florida days or to get gas flowing if the car has sat from some extended perios.

Interestingly this has been a big problem in the marine industry for a long time....Mercruiser even offers a booster pump 'kit' to deal with vapor lock.

We keep conflating fuel perc/hot soak with vapor lock -- they are TWO different things...

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Finished the electric fuel pump install - we'll see how it does with Orlando summer heat and vapor lock..

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Still working on it. Think I have it narrowed to the WCFB. More to come.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Please let us know the results. My vapor lock issue occurred several times last summer in Orlando; since then I've put an overhauled 3500/3501S, numbers matching new carb on the 63 and I'm sorta hoping it mysteriously solves the problem. I do run the phenolic spacer now...

[Chris H.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

As I've mentioned a 1000 times, the VAC swap and going to full manifold vacuum cured all my issues.

[Bob W.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Frank, Where did you buy the phenolic spacer and did you have any hood clearance issues?

Thanks Bob

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

The price has crept up from when I bought mine years ago...but at least they are available now:

https://www.dashman.net/product.html?id=203

Yes, the PS air cleaner lid snorkle will touch the hood when its closed (or at least mine did)....you can gently bend it down a bit (carefully) if that happens...

Some balled up tin foil held in place with painters tape can help determine contact points...a method I used to ensure my Vintage Air compressor would clear..

[Bob W.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Frank, Thanks for the reply. What is the difference of a p/s air air cleaner and a non p/s air cleaner?

Thanks Bob

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Hot Engine Problem

Frank, Thanks for the reply. What is the difference of a p/s air air cleaner and a non p/s air cleaner?

Thanks Bob

PS was brief for Passenger Side snorkel. Only one air cleaner with dual snorkels in 63.