Had a similar issue with my old Chevy pickup. Tried insulation first, but it only delayed the inevitable vapor lock on hot days. Eventually went with an electric pump mounted closer to the tank—made a noticeable difference, especially on longer drives. Curious though, did you notice any change in fuel economy after rerouting your lines and adding the heat shield? Mine seemed about the same, but I've heard mixed experiences from others...
I noticed the same thing when I added a heat shield and rerouted my fuel lines—fuel economy stayed pretty much unchanged. Honestly, I think vapor lock fixes like these mostly just stabilize performance rather than improve mileage. Electric pumps definitely help, but from my experience, they're more about reliability and smoother running than efficiency gains. Still, worth every penny if it means fewer roadside headaches on those hot summer drives...
I've found similar results myself. When I switched to an electric pump, mileage didn't budge noticeably, but the engine definitely ran smoother, especially at idle. Curious though—have you checked if insulating your carburetor or intake manifold makes any difference? I've heard mixed opinions on that, and I'm still debating whether it's worth experimenting with on my next long haul...
Did the whole insulation thing on my old wagon a while back—honestly, didn't notice much difference. Maybe a tiny bit less vapor lock on hot days, but nothing groundbreaking. If your engine's already running smooth with the electric pump, I'd say you're probably good. But hey, if you're bored and itching for a weekend project, it won't hurt anything... except maybe your knuckles and patience.
Speaking of weekend projects, anyone messed around with upgrading brakes for long-distance drives? I mean, insulation's cool and all, but stopping reliably after hours on the highway feels kinda important too... or is that just my paranoia kicking in?