Expert: Robert Summers - 8/12/2008

Question
Hi, My dad has a 1967 Stingray Coupe. It has a 427 engine. The  problem lately is after driving the engine does a putt putt sound. I think it may be a vapor lock issue and maybe easy to solve(but I am only a girl, ha) if this is the case how can we fix it?

Thank you,
Micky

Answer
Hi Micky....do you mean that it does that when shutting down like a run on (engine wants to stay running even with key off). if thats what it is chances are it is an octane problem. try a higher octane fuel,or add a pint of kersoene to a full tank of fuel. if it is a vapor lock issue, you could have a couple differant problems such as a plugged coolent crossover in the intake making intake have a differant temp than the rest of the engine, same goes for exhaust crossover in the intake....vapor lock is mostly caused by differant temps between the carb/intake and the engine.. try using an infared temp gauge and check temp of the heads and the intake/carb when car is up to operating temp, they should be the same, another cause could be a sticking thermostat...hope this helps
PS... being a girl is not a fault...i know lots of girls that know a lot more about cars than a lot of guys i know. Besides having  axcess to a vette makes you rock...I am in the middle of restoring my latest project 1980 C3 corvette that i picked up in Florida,there are pics on my profile and i just picked up another silver annaversery vette last week to restore...
Bob