Derrick Reynolds

I noticed when I bought the car that after driving it, the garage had a hint of gasoline smell. It never seemed bad, but the windows were open as it was summer. Now that it is cold and the windows are closed, the smell is much more noticable. When I went to start the car today (got out for a nice ride), I had to crank the motor for 10-15 seconds before it would fire when it normally fires in 2 seconds or less, kind of like the bowls of the carburetor had dried up in the 2 weeks it has sat since I last drove it. Is this normal? Or is there some kind of leak somewhere I should look for. 1970 454, non-original Holley double pumper installed.

Thanks,

PK

Gordonm

I have had this on 3 different double pumpers and my current Demon carb. When it is hot and you shut it off the fuel in the bowls will vaporize and put that gas smell in the air. If mine sits for more than a couple of days it takes some cranking to get the fuel going. I have just learned to live with it.

427basketcase

Ed Campbell

I have an all origional 1971 LT=1 with the origional Holly and when it sets for more than a few weeks the bowls evidently dry up as it takes some cranking to get it lit. I can find no leaks but I do smell a mild gas/oil smell after I put it back in the garage within the next day or two. Is this normal? My expierence with old cars is they all smell when in an enclosed enclosure. Thanks for your information. Ed

400hp427vette

I have a 69 original holley tri-power setup and if it sits for more than a week it takes some cranking and it smells like fuel for about 3 weeks, not sure if its normal but there are no leaks anywhere.

BobbyC3

We rebuilt the carbs and it went away.

...Roger...

As far as the fuel odor,check your fuel lines just under the passenger seat and as they go back up and over the RR wheel.Sometimes a minor leak will run back the frame and never reach the garage floor before it evaporates.

Ed Campbell

My holly has been requilt with O rings on the shafts and no leaks anywhere. Just starting it in the garage will stimk up the place quickly but that is just the nature of the huge holly I think. Ed

MN80Vette

Also check the rubber fuel lines connecting the tank to the hard fuel lines above the tank. The discolored exhaust pipes right below that area were the clue.

danno12345

Mine is similar, I've got a holley 3310. After a run, I smell gas for a while, but after a day or so it's not so noticeable. The next morning I need to pump the gas for it to start right away, and after a week or so, I have to it to fill the bowls before pumping the gas & starting it.

I was worried about rubber parts to the gas lines rotting so I did a sniff test after a run a while ago, and found that it was all coming from the aircleaner (carb).

Wish it didn't do this, but not so critical.

Dan

sub006

How old are your rubber fuel lines? My mpg dropped from 15 to about 10 before I located the problem by the smell!

srosa75

Had the same problem for so long I thought it was normal. Turned out to be the fuel lines as stated. NO more smell!!

Gordonm

I have replaced all my fuel ines and rubber lines at least once over the years on different cars and the smell is still there. When you bring your car in take off the air cleaner while it is hot and you can see the fuel vapors escaping from the bowl vents. This is where a lot of the fuel smell comes from. The fuel after sitting long enough will evaporate out of the bowls and you will have to crank it to get some fuel back into the bowls.

DaJesterMan

How tough is it to replace the rubber fuel lines in back?

Paul L

You might consider a heat shield to protect the bowls.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mr-Ga...QQcmdZViewItem

Ed Campbell

Be careful with holly carburators leaking into the engine. I had to put all new bearings in a 350 once that was stored for long periods of time and the holly had a malfunction which allowed the fuel in the float bowls to leak into the intake once parked. The only clue to the problem was that I got almost zero oil pressure at idle but above idle the pressure would go to normal. I suggest you smell the oil on the dip stick before you start after storage. Ed

hugie82

If you have the vent line going to the charcoal canister. It will rust over the years and when the tanks is full or gets slushed around. Fuel runs down that line and lets off fumes

GD70

You might also want to check the sending unit. Mine had a hairline crack on the tube that's welded to the mounting plate. I thought the gasket had rotted out and when it was replaced, the leak got worse. That's when the crack was discovered, so replaced the unit and all is good now. But as others have said these old cars will smell a bit as they don't have sealed systems like todays cars.
Glenn

Derrick Reynolds

Thanks for all the input guys! I doubt that it is a leak, since I don't smell gas in the garage now after parking it yesterday. But, I will have the car up for a while once it goes into storage to do some other projects under the car and I will take a close look at the whole fuel line just to be sure.

PK

...Roger...

Yes look at it close because if the leak is in the return line it pretty much wont leak after shutting the car off.