Posting this for a friend...he has a 87 z28 and about a year ago, the car would get vapor lock really bad and you could not drive it around town. Since then the carb. had been rebuilt. Also, he traced down the fuel lines and where they came close to the exhaust he insulated them. This helped alot, but if you take the car for a 2hr. drive it still gets vapor lock. Could the old fuel lines be collapsing somehow? Could it be the fuel pump? Any ideas guys?? THANKS

 

I doubt the fuel lines are collapsing. There's very little rubber line from the factory. Chances are its a weak fuel pump. But this is where things get complicated. For one year only (1987), the carbed 305 got 2 fuel pumps. One mechanical on the block, and one electric pusher in-tank pump. The in-tank pump was installed to help eliminate vapor lock. Partial or complete failure of either of the 2 pumps could cause the problem.

Does the car have headers? Any other mods to the exhaust? Heat shields still present between the the muffler and gas tank? Weather conditions?

BTW - you never stated what carb was on the car. Factory CC QJet?

 

I fought this problem for 2 years on my 85. I even went so far as to completely insulate the entire fuel system, but still my car would run out of gas if you stood on it for more than a couple seconds. It even had a Barry Grant mechanical pump and regulator. Friends of mine were experiencing the same thing, and the one thing we had in common was an Edelbrock carburetor. Once we changed over to Holley's the problem was solved for good. Soooooo, if you have an Edelbrock, junk it. Otherwise, you may want to borrow a Holley and see how it works. Just my .02

 

My 86 did that once in an extreme heat situation around town. This might sound kinda hickish but I put about 2 dozen wooden clothes pins on the fuel lines to help disipate heat. Helped out alot. Never knew how these 3rd gens were affected likethis, the carbed models anyway. It seems to be more common than I had though


Will

 

Ok, thanks guys...i am going to try the mechanical pump first....the car is all stock so no headers or diff. carb. Thanks for all the ideas!!!

 

Pics? I'd like to see that!

But hey, if it works...

94TA_LT1 - stick with either ACDelco or Carter. Don't bother with anything else.

 

I have seen cars with this problem before.One solution GM came up with was a aluminum plate that mounted under the quadrajet carb to the intake manifold and had the gasket built right in. This was supposed to help with the vapor lock on corvettes but I'm sure you could find one and use it on the camaro.The one I had and sold at a swap meet had a Gm part number but you may be able to find one from the aftermarket also.Good luck

 

They also had an electric blower fan and ducting setup that continuously blew air at the fuel inlet and carb. Regardless, I still think it's a delivery problem, and maybe partially a heat issue.

 

Cool cans work great for this.