When is Vapor Lock not Vapor Lock?

[23Paddywagon]

Traveling from Frisco, TX to Houston, TX I had what the automotive shop called Vapor Lock (when the temp is so hot that the carburetor gets too hot and causes fuel burn problems). The mechanic said to stop and have a burger and let it cool down.
About 2 1/2 hours later arriving at my destination suffering from the symptoms of VL (no power when trying to climb a hill), started racking my brain as to how to solve. Tried the following solutions: new fuel filter at the engine, wrapping the metal fuel line at the engine with heat tape, checked and reset all spark plugs, loosened the gas cap. The problem was still there. Hobbled 2 hours to the original automotive shop that diagnosed VL (a smart car even passed me) and they looked deeper and determined that the fuel filter at the electric fuel pump needed changing as well as a new fuel pump. AHA!! the solution.
What a hectic trip!! I could have changed out the fuel pump myself! Why didn't I think of that?????
For the future and to those who can do things themselves: Think through the problem with an open mind. If I would have realized that it was a problem with fuel getting to the carburetor and worked solutions back to the tank or from the tank to the engine, I would have solved the problem days earlier.
Good luck on your next problem solving event!!!

[23Paddywagon]

The auto parts store also recommended putting in a non heat transfer spacer between the block and the carburetor.

[Indycars]

(when the temp is so hot that the carburetor gets too hot and causes fuel burn problems).
Hum.... Actually it's when the pump is trying to move vapor, it's not designed to do that. It wants a liquid to pump effectively. What makes it worse is the pump is creating a lower pressure on the inlet side, this just makes the fuel vaporize at even a lower temperature. Fuel can get so hot in the carburetor that it boils and floods the engine, but that's not vapor lock.

https://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/08/ ... an-fix-it/

About 2 1/2 hours later arriving at my destination suffering from the symptoms of VL (no power when trying to climb a hill), started racking my brain as to how to solve. Tried the following solutions: new fuel filter at the engine, wrapping the metal fuel line at the engine with heat tape, checked and reset all spark plugs, loosened the gas cap. The problem was still there.
If after letting it cool down, it should have run OK until it overheated the fuel again. But since it didn't, vapor lock could not have been the problem. You were are the right track with the fuel filter, if it's stopped up, then that will present the same condition as a bad fuel pump.

Hobbled 2 hours to the original automotive shop that diagnosed VL (a smart car even passed me) and they looked deeper and determined that the fuel filter at the electric fuel pump needed changing as well as a new fuel pump. AHA!! the solution.
What a hectic trip!! I could have changed out the fuel pump myself! Why didn't I think of that?????
Hey ..... we all live and learn! It's easy to get on the wrong train of thought, try to deal in facts. Test to determine the facts.

For the future and to those who can do things themselves: Think through the problem with an open mind. If I would have realized that it was a problem with fuel getting to the carburetor and worked solutions back to the tank or from the tank to the engine, I would have solved the problem days earlier.
Good luck on your next problem solving event!!!
Wise words from a man that just obtained some more wisdom !!!