Stalling Edsel, vapor lock?

JSRTUDOR

JSRTUDOR

Senior Member
Hi, has anyone had any problems with vapor lock or bad fuel pumps on their 58 E400 Edsels? The car will run fine for a few miles, then lose power, start knocking then stall out. It then won't restart for a few minutes. I just put a new Edlebrock 1405 on it due to the fact that the Autolite was dumping fuel. It also has the fuel pump/vac. port for the wipers, but the vac. ports are blocked off due to having electric wipers. I have single exhaust. It sounds like vapor lock, but I would appreciate some more experienced input from ya'll. Thanks!
 
I had a similar experience with my Merc. Turned out to be an old hardened rubber hose in the fuel line back by the tank. The inside of the hose was deteriorating and would block flow. Let it sit for a few minutes and it was good for another few miles. I replaced it and all the other hoses and no more problem. I also installed a 1" phenolic spacer between the carb and the exhaust heated manifold to keep the heat from the manifold from boiling the gas out of the float bowl. Also improves throttle response noticeably.
 
In today's world, if you buy hose for fuel line, you must buy "fuel injection" hose. It costs about five times more, but will last more than a year.
 
JSRTUDOR said:
Hi, has anyone had any problems with vapor lock or bad fuel pumps on their 58 E400 Edsels? The car will run fine for a few miles, then lose power, start knocking then stall out. It then won't restart for a few minutes. I just put a new Edlebrock 1405 on it due to the fact that the Autolite was dumping fuel. It also has the fuel pump/vac. port for the wipers, but the vac. ports are blocked off due to having electric wipers. I have single exhaust. It sounds like vapor lock, but I would appreciate some more experienced input from ya'll. Thanks!
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Could also be a fuel filter that is almost completely plugged.
 
could it also be an overheated coil is there fuel going to carb after you stop running and crank it maybe rust in tank blocking the pickup or a rusted main line from tank to pump I'm speaking from problems on my wagon I had the same carb ran great after I replaced the main line
 
you need to first diagnose the problem you cant guess because all that does is cost you money just installing parts , does it have gas in the carb when this happens does it have spark this is what you need to know hope this helps
 
If the car didn't do this until you changed the carb I would be looking at the connection to the carb, or the pipe running to the carb. Also check if the carb has a filter on the inlet connection and check that the vent on the carb is clear and functioning. It sounds like the car is starving for fuel.
You might try reconnecting up the old carb.
 
How 'bout the gas cap? If you replaced it was it the proper type? I'm not familiar with Edsels in that regard, but if it is supposed to have a vented cap and you put a non-vented cap on it, it will cause the symptoms you described. When it acts up get out and remove the cap. If it's hard to remove and there's a whoosh noise when you get it off then the fuel pump is pulling a vacuum on the tank.
 
glad you solved your problems I wasted 3 electric pumps and went back to a mechanical pump before I figured it out
 
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One other thing to think about before you leave home; any Edelbrock carb on any engine likes a spacer under it to help keep it cool and happy. A half inch phenolic, or a one or two inch aluminum spacer with four holes is best for street use.
 
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