# After a rain, the carbureted V8 in our Ford station wagon seemed to have more power! **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317 "2020-07-14T17:00:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/1 "2020-07-14T17:00:14Z")
Was water in the air turning to steam in the cylinder combustion and creating more force? Should we inject a tiny amount of distilled water to gain more pressurexpansion in the cylinder? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/2 "2020-07-14T17:05:13Z")
If I remember correctly, Tom and Ray Magliozzi used to recommend spraying a small bit of water into a carburetor to get rid of carbon buildup that could cause pinging and dieseling (continuing to run after you shut off the engine). If that’s what’s going on here, the smart move would be to prevent carbon buildup by regularly replacing your fuel filter and air filter, using top tier fuel, and occasionally spraying some carburetor cleaner into the carb with the engine running. If the gain was that noticeable, you might benefit from a full carburetor rebuild. It also might not hurt to pour some fuel system cleaner or carburetor cleaner in the fuel tank every few months. I wouldn’t make a habit of deliberately introducing water into the combustion chamber, because you could easily hydro-lock your engine if you use too much. ---
**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/3 "2020-07-14T17:06:48Z")
Most people want to keep water out of their engine, you are the only one I know who wants it inside the engine. The air is cooler and denser after a rain providing a lot more air molecules than warm air would (up to a point). More air and you have a better running engine. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/4 "2020-07-14T17:12:54Z")
Water in the air is already water vapor, so it doesn’t turn to steam in the combustion chamber. Your carb is set up for ‘average’ conditions, it can’t adjust much to changes, so maybe the combination of conditions after a rain is slightly better for your wagon, as described by @kurtwm1 above . Or maybe it just seems that way. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/5 "2020-07-14T17:31:27Z")
This was back in the late 1960s. Mother first noticed it on her own. Then when I attained my driver license, I.ndependently noticed it. Already being water vapor, I could not figure how the H20 could further expand. Afterains, I considered cooler air being more dense. But when I drove into low areas where the air was much cooler, I did not.ice increased power even though expecting it. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/6 "2020-07-14T19:41:46Z")
There’s also more wind resistance with denser air. If the road is wet there is more rolling resistance. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/7 "2020-07-14T19:51:56Z")
Some aircraft in WW II were equipped with water vapor injection to increase horse power and for years J.C.Whitney offered a contraption for injecting vapor into the intake of cars. I’ve seen a few of those installed and it was a crude contraption. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/8 "2020-07-14T20:00:38Z")
I seem to remember in the 60s and 70s a few of us thought cars ran better in the rain. No verifiable evidence on my part. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/9 "2020-07-14T20:11:24Z")
> [@Robert-Gift](#): > > Already being water vapor, I could not figure how the H20 could further expand Water vapor is a gas. If you heat water vapor you get hotter, expanded steam. What the water injection into the engine does is cool the intake charge because its temp when it enters the engine is lower than the combustion temp so it makes more power. Early turbo engines - the Oldsmobile 215 V8 and the Corvair Monza both had water injection as standard from the factory. People forgot to refill the water, a lot. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/10 "2020-07-14T20:43:06Z")
Pretty sure water injection systems injected a mist of liquid water, the benefit was in the heat absorbed as the water drops were vaporized. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/11 "2020-07-14T21:21:32Z")
> **[Water injection (engine)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_injection_(engine))** > > In internal combustion engines, water injection, also known as anti-detonant injection (ADI), can spray water into the incoming air or fuel-air mixture, or directly into the cylinder to cool certain parts of the induction system where "hot points" could produce premature ignition. In jet engines it increases engine thrust at low speeds and at takeoff. > Water injection was used historically to increase the power output of military aviation engines for short durations, such as dogfights or takeof... ‘’’’’’’'fwiw ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/12 "2020-07-15T01:36:42Z")
> [@texases](#): > > Pretty sure water injection systems injected a mist of liquid water Yes, they definitely did squirt liquid water but turned to vapor in the hot, compressed air in the manifold before even getting to the intake valves. No intercoolers back then ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/13 "2020-07-15T02:27:28Z")
Wasn’t it special colored water that the dealers sold at a pretty profit? I remember when the 63 Corvair Monza Spyder came out. I was driving a 56 Studebaker Commander and the kid in the Monza challenged me at a light. My $45 Studebaker ate the Monza’s lunch. The day after I threw a rod in my 56 Desoto, I set out on foot to find a car with $50 in my pocket. I walked down Hertel Avenue and then North on Delaware ave in Buffalo. There were a lot of car dealers there. I goy to Delaware Motors and they were in the middle of moving there car lot when I spotted a lonely Studebaker against the back fence. It was a 4 dr with an ugky combo ao faded yellow and brown rust and the headlight rims were missing. When I asked the price, they said they really did not want to move it so they would take $125 for it.I told them I only had $50. They said they could not sell it for that, I said I am not arguing what it is worth, just telling you that I don’t have any more. Isaid, I may be the only person in the world that wants that car and the junk price is only $25. The agreed to sell it to me for $50 but would not inspect it. I said I could only give them $45 because I would have to pay for an inspection. The salesman said, fine I will take the $45 but I don’t want to see you or that car again. The key did not open the trunk and when I got home I forced the ytunk and found two Atlas snow tires that had never been on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/14 "2020-07-15T03:16:00Z")
I spent a lot of my childhood on the stretch of Delaware Ave. between the main entrance to Forest Lawn Cemetery and the Delaware YMCA just south of Kenmore. Cybercruising the neighborhood on Google Earth, it looks like the neighborhood hasn’t changed all that much. The names of the businesses along that stretch or road have changed, but not much else. ---
**Author:** ![acensor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@acensor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/acensor)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/15 "2020-07-22T01:04:30Z")
In the 1950’s and earlier among performance enthusiasts/geeks kits to inject a little water spray into the carb were a known way to get more power. You could buy them at right out of the JC Whitney (super popular auto parts catalog pre-internet that all us older guys will remember) catalog. As for the rain and power boost, well known. In the country and western song “Maybellene” by Chuck Berry here are the relevant lyrics: 😉 “…I saw Mabellene in a Coup de Ville A Cadillac arollin’ on the open road Nothin’ will outrun my V8 Ford The Cadillac doin’ about ninety-five She’s bumper to bumper, rollin’ side by side Maybellene, why can’t you be true Oh Maybellene, why can’t you be true You’ve started back doin’ the things you used to do The Cadillac pulled up ahead of the Ford The Ford got hot and wouldn’t do no more It then got cloudy and started to rain I tooted my horn for a passin’ lane _The rainwater blowin’ all under my hood_ _I know that I was doin’ my motor good_…” If you google carburetor water injection You’ll find dozens of kits for sale. Water injection was used in aircraft engines in the 1940’s. See [http://www.jeeng.net/Use-of-Water-Injection-Technique-to-Improve-the-Combustion-Efficiency-of-the-Spark,99689,0,2.html](http://www.jeeng.net/Use-of-Water-Injection-Technique-to-Improve-the-Combustion-Efficiency-of-the-Spark,99689,0,2.html) … and many other places for the techi details on how water injection (with or without methanol in the mix) improves combustion. The gains are substantial enough that it’s worth doing. But then there’s the PITA of keeping a water reservoir filled. And offhand AFAIK is only easy to do with carb cars 🤔… and nearly all of ours here are fuel injected. Water injection can also improve MPG. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/17 "2020-07-22T12:49:57Z")
I don’t think humidity will do anything. The water has to transition from liquid to vapor to get the cooling effect. In the case of rain it’s tiny droplets of mist going into the intake. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/after-a-rain-the-carbureted-v8-in-our-ford-station-wagon-seemed-to-have-more-power/167317/18 "2020-07-22T13:20:00Z")
In the Clark Gable/Barbara Stanwyck movie “To Please a Lady” Gable waits to just before the rain starts to make his Indy 500 qualifying run. Starts raining just as he completes his laps.