Chevrobert
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1732
Loc: Braintree,Ma. USA
Reg: 06-14-08
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06-15-12 04:58 PM - Post#2237577
Back again fella's,
I am losing my mind trying to figure out
why my 64 just stops running.
Cold start at high idle for a few minutes
No sputter no nothing.
Bad Gas?
ARGGGGH!!
I have NEVER experienced vapor lock.
Is this my first?
Thanks,
Bob
1964 Impala SS 327 4 Forward Gears & 1 Reverse
See the USA in your Chevrolet.. |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 391
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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06-15-12 06:17 PM - Post#2237611
In response to Chevrobert
For 50 years I've heard about vapor lock. It gets pretty hot in Texas (last year we had over 100 days of 100 degree weather). I've been driving 46 years and I'm not 100% sure I have had vapor lock. It may have happened back in the 70s when I owned a slant 6, but I can't say for sure. In the very hot summer, the car was sometimes hard to re-start.
I'd like to know if anyone can truely attribute vapor lock to their late great with v8 engine.
post #300. It only took 5 years to do it.
Edited by Mad Joe on 06-15-12 06:19 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Allan In NE
Contributor
Posts: 904
Reg: 12-27-11
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06-15-12 06:19 PM - Post#2237612
In response to Chevrobert
I'd sure try a different coil. That's the classic symptom.
Allan
| Lifelong GM automatic transmission specialist |
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Sparkywax
Contributor
Posts: 797
Age: 44
Loc: Indiana
Reg: 10-31-10
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06-15-12 06:35 PM - Post#2237617
In response to Chevrobert
Back again fella's,
I am losing my mind trying to figure out
why my 64 just stops running.
Cold start at high idle for a few minutes
No sputter no nothing.
Bad Gas?
ARGGGGH!!
I have NEVER experienced vapor lock.
Is this my first?
Thanks,
I've heard to use a plastic spacer under your carb.
Kind of like this....(wood?)
http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS-Performance-Pr oducts/JE...
1955 Belair 2dr
1955 Belair 4dr (parts car)
1964 Impala SS
1966 Chevrolet Truck
1968 Chevrolet Truck
1968 Impala SS 396 (Survivor)
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Bobby Biscayne
Forum Newbie
Posts: 2
Loc: New Orleans
Reg: 06-14-12
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06-15-12 08:02 PM - Post#2237643
In response to Chevrobert
I had a Buick that would do the same, I always carry a can of start fluid. One spray would unlock it.
| 1961 Biscayne 2Door Flat top |
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Chevrobert
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1732
Loc: Braintree,Ma. USA
Reg: 06-14-08
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06-15-12 08:32 PM - Post#2237653
In response to Bobby Biscayne
Thanks for the replies,
I just came in.
I managed to start it a few times for varying
lengths of time, with the same ultimate result. 
I have always been skeptical of "vapor Lock" and can not remember ever seeing IT,
but this has me flummoxed.
I was thinking possibly coil maybe also.
I don't think I have the clearance to add any wood but will read up it.
That's a new one to me!
I tried a squirt of ether but no change in lock out mode.
It's got a mind of it's own. 
I am exhausted and gonna hit the hay.
Tomorrow is another day.
I check back before I head to the garage.
Good Night and
Thanks again.
Bob
1964 Impala SS 327 4 Forward Gears & 1 Reverse
See the USA in your Chevrolet.. |
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Vermontboy
Contributor
Posts: 109
Loc: Webster, NY
Reg: 08-22-11
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06-16-12 02:46 AM - Post#2237719
In response to Chevrobert
Check to make sure the gas cap vent is clean ...
Vermontboy
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace"
Jimi Hendrix |
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Allan In NE
Contributor
Posts: 904
Reg: 12-27-11
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06-16-12 06:54 AM - Post#2237767
In response to Chevrobert
I have always been skeptical of "vapor Lock"
Amen, Pard. And another Amen. 
Allan
| Lifelong GM automatic transmission specialist |
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Chevrobert
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1732
Loc: Braintree,Ma. USA
Reg: 06-14-08
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06-16-12 07:19 AM - Post#2237775
In response to Vermontboy
Check to make sure the gas cap vent is clean ...
Is joke?
No?
This is having to do with the" Vapor Lock "?
YES?
Thanks.
I will let y'all know what happens.
Over and out.
Bob
1964 Impala SS 327 4 Forward Gears & 1 Reverse
See the USA in your Chevrolet.. |
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64 impala ss
Contributor
Posts: 169
Reg: 02-03-10
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06-16-12 08:23 AM - Post#2237794
In response to Allan In NE
When I was a very young kid I remember my uncles (all car guys) talking about vapor lock. Though they never were able to clearly tell, where I could understand, what it was or how to know if a car vapor locked. As I got older I just assumed it was the same as the old "sky hook" they always mentioned. Can't truthfully say I'm sure what vapor lock is or if I've every had a car do it.
Dale
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62sedan
Very Senior Member
Posts: 3328
Age: 62
Loc: North Dallas area
Reg: 08-12-02
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06-16-12 08:51 AM - Post#2237802
In response to 64 impala ss
Read about vapor lock here >>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vapor_lock
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sam 15
Contributor
Posts: 250
Loc: Palm Desert Cali
Reg: 10-24-09
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06-16-12 12:18 PM - Post#2237857
In response to Allan In NE
I'd sure try a different coil. That's the classic symptom.
Allan
My 64 chevy v8 trucks keep cutting out for no apparent reason. It turned out to be the coil. It was mounted is a somewhat vertical position from a bolt and bracket on the intake manifold. After the second coil went bad, a friend told me to move the coil from the manifold to the firewall. He said that it was getting to hot and ruining the coil...no more problem after that.
Now for the vapor lock. I was a kid about 13-14 years old. My mom owned a 67 impala. After about 20 minutes of driving, the car would die. We would wait about 5-10 minutes and the car would start and run fine....for about 20 minutes and die again. Nobody could really tell mom what was wrong with her car. One day coming home from the beach the car died. This time we were able to coast into a gas station. While we were sitting there, one of the attendants came over and asked if we need help. Mom said no, and told the guy that the car would start again in 10 minutes or so. She explained the problem she was having with the car. He said, it these words, "What you got there is vapor lock." He sent us accross the street to the White Front store (which was at the time an early Wal-Mart type of store, if anyone remembers those). He told us to buy a package of wooden clothes pins. We picked up a pack of 50 for $1. He took the clothes pins and put one on every bend on the metal gas line going from the fuel pump to the carb. He must have put 12-15 clothes pins along the fuel line. He said that the wood would dissipate the heat. The car started, as we knew it would because more than 10 minutes went by...but the car never died on my mom again. She left the clothes pins on there...until my sister wrecked the car.
| '62 Bel Air 9 Passenger Wagon-Work in Progress |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 391
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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06-16-12 02:27 PM - Post#2237912
In response to sam 15
I have heard others tell the "cloths pins" story before. I remember back in the day, seeing them in person. I had forgotten about them until your story. 
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Sweed62
Senior Member
Posts: 807
Reg: 10-24-04
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06-16-12 02:52 PM - Post#2237928
In response to Chevrobert
I had my -62 akt like that, allways while recently drowen.
I found out, a cable from battery+ to coil+ solve the problem.
In this case i think it was a minor change in cables resistance caused by temperature, that make the different between ignite or not.
Coil+ is going thru a lot of cables, connections and contacts. If a shortcut B+ to coil+ works, you may have pinned it down to a electric problem.
Svenne
Edited by Sweed62 on 06-16-12 03:07 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Chevrobert
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1732
Loc: Braintree,Ma. USA
Reg: 06-14-08
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06-16-12 07:13 PM - Post#2238006
In response to Sweed62
Are you ready for this?
The ignition switch has a tiny dead zone in between on and crank positions.Probably inside the switch.
Intermittently causing no power to the coil! The switch does not have a plug.
It is jury rigged.
I took a peek under the dash.
What a mess! 
Local Napa does not even have a listing for '64.Only '63
A buddy MAY have a NOS switch only, or used switch and plug.
I'll know Monday.
If not,
I have found a couple of sources for the switch only.
Big price difference!$27-$53?
I wonder if I can get a new pig tail/plug to splice in?
I wish I could see a exploded view of the dash harness.
That might be the way to go but I am afraid the car will NEVER run again if I try it. 
I will check in Monday.
Happy Fathers Day.
Bob
1964 Impala SS 327 4 Forward Gears & 1 Reverse
See the USA in your Chevrolet.. |
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 391
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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06-16-12 07:21 PM - Post#2238013
In response to Chevrobert
Glad you found the problem and it wasn't vapor lock. 
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64 impala ss
Contributor
Posts: 169
Reg: 02-03-10
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06-16-12 07:40 PM - Post#2238028
In response to sam 15
Guess my uncles knew more than I sometimes gave them credit for.  I assumed it was just something bewteen them they did not want me to know. 
Dale
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 391
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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06-16-12 08:03 PM - Post#2238041
In response to 64 impala ss
Alright...speaking of "vapor lock" does anyone remember the fuel cool cans that mounted under the hood and had a coiled fuel line inside? You put ice in the can to keep the fuel cool before entering the carb. Racers used these cool cans in the late 60s.
Are they still used these days?
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64 impala ss
Contributor
Posts: 169
Reg: 02-03-10
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06-16-12 08:06 PM - Post#2238046
In response to Mad Joe
Really learning a lot today. I've never heard of that. Bet if any of my old uncles were still around, they would have.
Dale
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Mad Joe
Contributor
Posts: 391
Loc: Wichita Falls, Tx.
Reg: 05-09-07
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06-16-12 08:54 PM - Post#2238058
In response to 64 impala ss
Dale:
Back in the 60s I did a little drag racing in my '64. I was too cheap to buy a factory made cool can so I made my own out of a coffee can and some tubing. Seemed to work just fine. I also cut a hole in the radiator support panel,inserted another coffee can, and ran some duct hose and fabricated my own ram air set up on the Impala.
Shame I couldn't get Folgers to sponsor the car!
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sam 15
Contributor
Posts: 250
Loc: Palm Desert Cali
Reg: 10-24-09
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06-16-12 10:29 PM - Post#2238094
In response to Mad Joe
Alright...speaking of "vapor lock" does anyone remember the fuel cool cans that mounted under the hood and had a coiled fuel line inside? You put ice in the can to keep the fuel cool before entering the carb. Racers used these cool cans in the late 60s.
Are they still used these days?
I know they still sell em.... http://www.jegs.com/i/Mr.+Gasket/720/1350/10002/-1
| '62 Bel Air 9 Passenger Wagon-Work in Progress |
Edited by sam 15 on 06-16-12 10:29 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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 someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23394
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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06-23-12 05:39 PM - Post#2240598
In response to Chevrobert
Check to make sure the gas cap vent is clean ...
Is joke?
No?
This is having to do with the" Vapor Lock "?
YES?
Thanks.
I will let y'all know what happens.
Over and out.
Not a joke; in vented fuel systems (most pre-emissions vehicles) if the vent valve in the cap gets stuck shut, it can starve your engine for fuel. Another, somewhat more exciting symptom of this is when the ambient temp goes up and the tank pressure builds, the vent is unable to release the pressure. You remove the gas cap and it all comes rushing out. Or even better, in the case of a Harley I owned years ago, it would run a little while then start spewing fuel out of the carb bowl vent overflow tube.
A rubber-tipped blow gun on your shop air dialed waaaaaaay down on the pressure, put into the hole in the bottom of the vent on the cap, will see if it releases or not. Be very careful doing this. Too much pressure and it will blow apart in your hand. Or, when in doubt, just buy a new correct vented cap.
Richard
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FINMAN
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1302
Loc: Burlington , Mass
Reg: 03-01-05
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06-23-12 08:10 PM - Post#2240630
In response to someotherguy
A customer of mine is a retired mechanic. He said he had a 60 pontiac that would vapor lock quite frquently. His cure was a wooden clothespin on the carb inlet line
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