Front Spoiler for 69
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 27
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Front Spoiler for 69
I have a blue 69 vette and my engine gets vapor lock, I was wondering if you guys could recommend a front spoiler that will help me cool down the engine or help with vapor lock. If you have any other info on how to stop vapor lock that would be great, I was thinking of wrapping the fuel lines in some sort of high temp insulation and wrapping the carburetor in it as well. what do you think of that? thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
I have a blue 69 vette and my engine gets vapor lock, I was wondering if you guys could recommend a front spoiler that will help me cool down the engine or help with vapor lock. If you have any other info on how to stop vapor lock that would be great, I was thinking of wrapping the fuel lines in some sort of high temp insulation and wrapping the carburetor in it as well. what do you think of that? thanks
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
A thick insulating gasket may fix it. A coiled wire or 'spring' is around some pump to carb lines.
Expect you know a front spoiler helps at speed & won't help at idle...
The Indy ft. spoiler designed for our Vettes w/ wind tunnel scoops up air for cooling, cleans up airflow underneath & sweeps the airflow around the front tires.
Rec. for all performance 68-79 ! I put factory 3 piece on as soon as possible, so early that the paint matches & it appears original.
Expect you know a front spoiler helps at speed & won't help at idle...
The Indy ft. spoiler designed for our Vettes w/ wind tunnel scoops up air for cooling, cleans up airflow underneath & sweeps the airflow around the front tires.
Rec. for all performance 68-79 ! I put factory 3 piece on as soon as possible, so early that the paint matches & it appears original.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Severn Maryland
MD Events Coordinator
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
I experienced that problem with my previous 68 shortly after purchasing it. The fuel line wasn't stock and was poorly routed and laid on most of the intake manifold. Once I properly routed the fuel line my vapor lock problems disappeared!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
A coil of wire around the line adds mass and surface area to the outside of the fuel line. This "finned" surface area dissipates heat better than a flat surface. That is why some brake lines have springs around them and why you see fins aroudn air cooled engines. An old trick we used to use is put a bunch of wooden close pins on the fuel line. We had to do that on an old pull truck with a 454 in it. Whenever we were pulling the race car in extreme heat, the truck would vapor lock. The close pins actually helped. They look kinda funny, though.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
A coil of wire around the line adds mass and surface area to the outside of the fuel line. This "finned" surface area dissipates heat better than a flat surface. That is why some brake lines have springs around them and why you see fins aroudn air cooled engines. An old trick we used to use is put a bunch of wooden close pins on the fuel line. We had to do that on an old pull truck with a 454 in it. Whenever we were pulling the race car in extreme heat, the truck would vapor lock. The close pins actually helped. They look kinda funny, though.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
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From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
I had this issue with my 72 LT-1 years ago. I put a heat shield plate and gasket under the carb and that helped. I also installed an electric, draw through, fuel pump at the gas tank and never had another problem. I love the extra pump when getting the car out in the spring. Just hit the switch and listen for it to fill the carb then start it.
