"Ended up insulating the fuel line and rerouting it slightly away from exhaust components."
Yeah, that's a solid fix. Had something similar happen on my Falcon last year—hot days were a nightmare, especially after short stops. I went with insulating too, but also added a small electric fuel pump near the tank to help push fuel along. Maybe a bit overkill, but it gave me peace of mind. Better safe than stranded somewhere sketchy...
Insulating the fuel line definitely helps, especially if you're dealing with vapor lock issues. Did something similar on my old Chevy pickup—wrapped the lines and tried to route them away from heat sources. Worked pretty well, but I still had occasional hiccups on really hot days. Curious about that electric pump though... was it tricky to wire up or pretty straightforward? I've thought about adding one myself, but always worried it'd be more hassle than it's worth. Also, did you notice any difference in fuel economy or performance after installing it? I'm all for peace of mind, but budget's tight and I don't wanna throw money at something unless it really makes a noticeable difference.
I get the appeal of an electric fuel pump, especially if vapor lock's giving you grief, but honestly, I'd be cautious about diving in without weighing the pros and cons. Wiring one up isn't rocket science—basic electrical know-how will get you there—but you definitely want to make sure it's done right. I've seen a few DIY jobs end up causing more headaches than they solved (think blown fuses or worse, stranded at the roadside).
As for performance or economy gains... from what I've seen, they're usually minimal at best. The real benefit is reliability—consistent fuel pressure means fewer worries on those hot days. But if budget's tight, you might be better off sticking with insulation and smart routing for now. Maybe stash a spare mechanical pump or rebuild kit in your trunk just in case? Peace of mind doesn't always mean going high-tech; sometimes the old-school backup plan is all you need to sleep easy at night.
"Maybe stash a spare mechanical pump or rebuild kit in your trunk just in case?"
Good call on the spare parts. Last summer, my mechanical pump gave out mid-trip. Luckily had a rebuild kit handy—got me rolling again in about an hour. Beats waiting around for roadside assistance...
"Beats waiting around for roadside assistance..."
Haha, been there. Reminds me of the time my alternator decided to retire early halfway through a weekend road trip. No rebuild kit on hand, sadly—just a half-eaten bag of chips and some questionable gas station coffee. Spent two hours chatting with the tow driver about his vintage Mustang project...nice guy, but I'd rather have been cruising. Lesson learned: spare parts > small talk with strangers.
