Percolation?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Percolation?
Last week I drove my wife’s 69 Camaro to the gas station. It was about 105 degrees out and the car had been running in my driveway for about 20min prior to heading to the gas station to put gas in a can. I did not put gas in the car and can’t recall if I shut it off but I’m pretty sure I did. I had the AC running. Gas station is about 2 miles away. Car has original 350 engine with a Rochester 2bbl carburetor. Gas tank is not vented but cap is.
When I pulled out of the gas station it stalled and I was able to start it. That got me to a traffic light. I then hit the gas and about 50 yards ahead I died. I couldn’t get it started. I opened the hood and removed the air cleaner. With my goal being getting it started and trying to get home I didn’t pay too much attention to all the signs.
I noticed vapors coming out of the carb and some residual gas on the manifold. I tried several times to start it and thought I was going to run the battery down. I then put about 1/2 cup of gas (luckily I had the can I just filled up) into the carb and it fired right up.
Given everything I’ve read on this sight, it seems like it was percolation vs vapor lock. If im right, im going to buy a phenolic spacer.
I realize this isn’t about my Vette but seeing that everything I know about vapor lock and percolation came from this website, I thought I’d get opinions before trying a fix
thanks in advance!!
Ed
When I pulled out of the gas station it stalled and I was able to start it. That got me to a traffic light. I then hit the gas and about 50 yards ahead I died. I couldn’t get it started. I opened the hood and removed the air cleaner. With my goal being getting it started and trying to get home I didn’t pay too much attention to all the signs.
I noticed vapors coming out of the carb and some residual gas on the manifold. I tried several times to start it and thought I was going to run the battery down. I then put about 1/2 cup of gas (luckily I had the can I just filled up) into the carb and it fired right up.
Given everything I’ve read on this sight, it seems like it was percolation vs vapor lock. If im right, im going to buy a phenolic spacer.
I realize this isn’t about my Vette but seeing that everything I know about vapor lock and percolation came from this website, I thought I’d get opinions before trying a fix
thanks in advance!!
Ed
Last edited by emdoller; Jul 21, 2018 at 01:21 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 214
From: Iowa
Last week I drove my wife’s 69 Camaro to the gas station. It was about 105 degrees out and the car had been running in my driveway for about 20min prior to heading to the gas station to put gas in a can. I did not put gas in the car and can’t recall if I shut it off but I’m pretty sure I did. I had the AC running. Gas station is about 2 miles away. Car has original 350 engine with a Rochester 2bbl carburetor. Gas tank is not vented but cap is.
When I pulled out of the gas station it stalled and I was able to start it. That got me to a traffic light. I then hit the gas and about 50 yards ahead I died. I couldn’t get it started. I opened the hood and removed the air cleaner. With my goal being getting it started and trying to get home I didn’t pay too much attention to all the signs.
I noticed vapors coming out of the carb and some residual gas on the manifold. I tried several times to start it and thought I was going to run the battery down. I then put about 1/2 cup of gas (luckily I had the can I just filled up) into the carb and it fired right up.
Given everything I’ve read on this sight, it seems like it was percolation vs vapor lock. If im right, im going to buy a phenolic spacer.
I realize this isn’t about my Vette but seeing that everything I know about vapor lock and percolation came from this website, I thought I’d get opinions before trying a fix
thanks in advance!!
Ed
When I pulled out of the gas station it stalled and I was able to start it. That got me to a traffic light. I then hit the gas and about 50 yards ahead I died. I couldn’t get it started. I opened the hood and removed the air cleaner. With my goal being getting it started and trying to get home I didn’t pay too much attention to all the signs.
I noticed vapors coming out of the carb and some residual gas on the manifold. I tried several times to start it and thought I was going to run the battery down. I then put about 1/2 cup of gas (luckily I had the can I just filled up) into the carb and it fired right up.
Given everything I’ve read on this sight, it seems like it was percolation vs vapor lock. If im right, im going to buy a phenolic spacer.
I realize this isn’t about my Vette but seeing that everything I know about vapor lock and percolation came from this website, I thought I’d get opinions before trying a fix
thanks in advance!!
Ed
No more percolation problem.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
The vapors coming from the carb and fuel on the manifold say percolation to me. My '61 with dual WCFB's does this occasionally, but is much better now with Masonite insulator plates under the carbs. Still, the ethanol based fuel boils in a heat soak situation very easily. No issues going down the road though. Just the same issue you have described after the car sits 5-20 minutes on a hot day.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Thanks. I’m going to try a spacer and see how that goes. I appreciate the ultimate fix but this car is fairly original and I’d like to try the least invasive fix. I could always stop driving it in 105 degree weather!
Ed
Ed
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 2,136
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Ed:
When was the last time you put gas in the car?? Any possibility of gas still being a "winter blend"??
I would do a few things to help with this (likely vapor lock/percolation) issue:
1. Add your phenolic spacer under the carb.
2. Wire open or remove the heat riser. You can replace heat riser with a solid spacer sold for the FI cars.
3. Insulation your fuel line about 3-4 feet before the fuel pump and between the fuel pump and car. Include any external fuel filter also. Use the foam insulation.
The insulation can be removed in the winter if you don't like the look.
I used to do this to my performance cars back in the day. I also ran an electric pump, but you should try and use the mechanical pump if you can..........since I know you like your cars to be "original".
Larry
When was the last time you put gas in the car?? Any possibility of gas still being a "winter blend"??
I would do a few things to help with this (likely vapor lock/percolation) issue:
1. Add your phenolic spacer under the carb.
2. Wire open or remove the heat riser. You can replace heat riser with a solid spacer sold for the FI cars.
3. Insulation your fuel line about 3-4 feet before the fuel pump and between the fuel pump and car. Include any external fuel filter also. Use the foam insulation.
The insulation can be removed in the winter if you don't like the look.
I used to do this to my performance cars back in the day. I also ran an electric pump, but you should try and use the mechanical pump if you can..........since I know you like your cars to be "original".
Larry
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Thanks Larry. The gas line from the pump runs right between the water pump and the block. Not the best design in my opinion and not enough space to insulate but I’ll give it a shot.
Could be winter gas as it’s only driven 10 miles or so a week.
Ed
Could be winter gas as it’s only driven 10 miles or so a week.
Ed
Last edited by emdoller; Jul 21, 2018 at 03:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Sounds like you have a non stock fuel line routing from the pump to the carburetor.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
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Army
Of course, since putting a pristine new carb on the car I haven't had a vapor lock problem again (of course) and so I don't know if this is a cure yet or not...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jul 22, 2018 at 08:40 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 221
From: Dalton, Ma
I have that heat soak issue as well, Just last week I put a half inch plastic spacer under the carb and a hunk of insulation I got off e-bay around the fuel line from the fuel pump to the fuel filter, I also spaced the fue; filter up from in intake manifold maybe a half inch. Has not been hot enough to see if any of that worked.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 2,136
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
I have that heat soak issue as well, Just last week I put a half inch plastic spacer under the carb and a hunk of insulation I got off e-bay around the fuel line from the fuel pump to the fuel filter, I also spaced the fue; filter up from in intake manifold maybe a half inch. Has not been hot enough to see if any of that worked.
Last edited by Powershift; Jul 22, 2018 at 04:14 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 303
From: PURCELLVILLE VA
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
I have a fresh (1200 miles) 283 set up to 1958 specs,with dual Carters, 097 cam,etc. in my ‘54. I eliminated the heat riser and blocked off the heat passage under the carburetors. I drive in 90 degree weather a lot and never had heat soak or vapor lock problem. Hopefully those two fixes will help with your problem. I don’t see a need for spacers on my car. Good luck and Happy Motoring.
DAN
DAN