engine runs about 3 miles and stops running

by Patrick
(Greenville, SC)

1960 corvette has been in storage for 30 yrs. I got it running, it starts great, will idle for an hour but when I take it on the road in 3/4 miles it quits running. I'll let it sit for 1/2 hour and it starts right up and runs for another 3 or 4 miles and we go through the same thing again. Any suggestions?

Patrick Hensbee

Comments for engine runs about 3 miles and stops running

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Apr 17, 2022
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Vapor lock NEW
by: 1962 Corvette 340 HP

Gas is much different today than it was 60 years ago. Unleaded and ethanol blends create a different vapor pressure than your carb was designed for. New fuel injection units monitor and adjust for this (and it’s better for the environment). I had the same problem in hot weather. It ran great until I got into heavy stop and go traffic. Mine would stall and it was miserable. Your metal gas lines are over the engine and collect heat fast. I wrapped my fuel lines with heat shield tape from Summit Racing and that stopped my issues. I also took the glass bowl fuel filter off and replace it with a small 1" diameter inline fuel filter (17311 Edelbrock worked on mine) that you cannot see under the air filter. You can find one that threads directly into the carb from places like Amazon. Hope all this helps. Solved my problem and now I can drive my car with confidence. The solution is not NCRS, but I enjoy driving more than having the original fuel filter. (PS - also a 1/4" spacer between your carb and intake manifold will help. Just don’t go more than 1/4" due to clearances between your hood and air filter. Always use some putty on top of air filter to check clearances before slamming hood.)

Jul 19, 2016
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fuel flow
by: terry

I've been in the motorcycle rebuild trade for 30 years. The problem you describe is common in many bikes. The new fuels contain alcohol and the older fuel lines were not rated for it. The liner in these lines get soft and collapses blocking the fuel. After a short time of no demand they relax and allow fuel to flow. Only to block off again during flow. Enough to fill the carb for a short run

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