Vapor Lock, My car died! Options

[warrenoliver]

I have searched for previous references to "vapor lock" and I found numerous references to the problem, but very few for prevention and fix.
This weekend, we finally had some summer like weather (IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif) Temp was in the 70's and 80's. I used my 73' 2.0 (stock FI) for running a bunch of errands. The temp guage showed that the oil was warming up, but it never moved very much above the lowest line. I noticed that after my 3rd and 4th stop at stores, I had difficulty starting - it would fire right up, but then it would barely idle regardless of what I did with the accelerator - it would not respond to the accelerator at all. Some of the time it would stall, then I could restart and it would fire right up and run well.
On my way home, when I started up from a stop sign, the engine just died like it was starved for gas. It would not start even though it cranked just fine. It didn't matter what I did with the accelerator. I then did what every good thinking guy would do - I opened the engine lid and stared at it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) The engine was still there.
After getting a ride home, I returned about an hour later with jumper cables in case I ran the battery down. I tried starting it first and of course it fired right up!
I am assuming that it is vapor lock, but I don't know how to confirm that.
The question I have is: How do I prevent this from happening again? I do know that it runs fine when the temps are cooler, but I would like to drive it this summer.
The archives mention relocating to the front, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) but I am very reluctant to do that. What else can I do to prevent this? Once it happens, is the only solution to let it sit for a while, or can I do something to get it going quickly?
Thanks.

Warrenoliver

[r_towle]

Under the passenger side long, right next to the motor, and in the corner near the firewall is the fuel pump and filter.

If your heat exchangers are all hooked up and the correct hose is connected to the car, and the flapper valve is mounted properly, yo should be ok.

If not, if the heat system is blowing hot air at the fuel pump, you will get pretty good vapor lock.

I do agree, run through what gas you have from winter, go out for a few cold night runs on the highway...dont stop/start the car till you are in the driveway...

Fill up with premium, and change the fuel filter (every year)
Change the oil (moisture from winter storage)

Tune it up and drive it like you stole it.

If it keeps up, learn how to park (we have all learned) park on a hill, learn how to roll start/jump start your car.

Rich

[warrenoliver]

Under the passenger side long, right next to the motor, and in the corner near the firewall is the fuel pump and filter.

If your heat exchangers are all hooked up and the correct hose is connected to the car, and the flapper valve is mounted properly, yo should be ok.

If not, if the heat system is blowing hot air at the fuel pump, you will get pretty good vapor lock.

I do agree, run through what gas you have from winter, go out for a few cold night runs on the highway...dont stop/start the car till you are in the driveway...

Fill up with premium, and change the fuel filter (every year)
Change the oil (moisture from winter storage)

Tune it up and drive it like you stole it.

If it keeps up, learn how to park (we have all learned) park on a hill, learn how to roll start/jump start your car.

Rich

Being a farm boy, I have lots of experience with starting an engine without using the starter. Heck, sometimes I still have to pull start one of my tractors.
If it has vapor lock, will it start? Seems that it won't matter how I spin the engine, if it ain't gettin gas, it ain't gonna start.
I had the Cap'n go over this car before shipment to me. I am assuming that since he replaced all of the lines, he ran them correctly.
I will try the new gas trick.
Thanks for the suggestions.