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TR4/4A Vapor lock????

titanfan10

Senior Member
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Hey,
I have a 63 tr4, that stops running after driving about 3-5 miles. I let it cool off about 10-15 minutes, then it starts back up. I am wondering if it is vapor lock or???
what else it might be. All input is appreciated. It has rebuilt engine with 40 miles on it. I put heat insulation around most of fuel line under the hood, same result. I am wondering if I need to put it around the float bowl. It also has a Moss supercharger don't know if that makes a difference. I will be quiet know and see what ya'll think. Yes I am in TN.
Thanks,
Jimmy Sloan
 

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perhaps the ignition coil
Steve
Thanks, yes I recently heard it could be the coil, I am going to try and remember to take my tester with me next drive. I meant to take it yesterday but am old as dirt and forgot. Thank you for your comments.
 
It does sound more ignition related.
If stock I would look at points and unless pristine change them and condensor.If electronic then as suggested with coil ,replacement is probably fastest check.
Tom
 
I will probably try a new coil, but when the car dies it sounds more like starving for fuel. There are no misses or backfires, she runs smooth till starts sounding like running out of gas and then quits.
 
Coil or capacitor are real possibilities. With vapor lock, you usually need a fair bit of heat soaking before it starts. 3-5 miles probably isn't enough. A plugged fuel filter or crud in the tank are more likely, I'd think.

As for procedure, I'd start by replacing the coil and trying to find a better capacitor (the ones you get today are crap). Worst case, you will have a spare coil to keep in your toolbox. If that doesn't fix it, run it until it stalls and check the fuel flow.

To check for vapor lock, wait until it stalls, then pour water over the fuel pump, fuel filter (if you have one), fuel line especially near the carbs. That should condense the bubbles and you should be able to start. If that works, it's probably vapor lock, and you can make some plans to keep it cool.
 
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If you have fuel making it from the fuel pump to the carb then it's not vapor lock.
 
Thanks Poolboy, I bought a new coil to put on tomorrow. Depending on the weather if I will try it out.
 
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