Hello, I recently purchased a 73 with a 302 and an edelbrock 1405 carb (thats about the extent of my knowledge towards engines). everything ran right except that it reeked of gasoline whenever it was running, and after I filled it up a couple of times I calculated my mpgs to be a little less than 8. finally last week I noticed that it seemed sluggish and would miss whenever I accelerated. thinking that this was connected to the gas smell i started poking around under the hood and came to three conclusions, the first being that the smell was coming from a little blue can on the passengers side of the engine bay next to the firewall. The second is that there is something funky going on with the carb. And the third being that I have no idea what im looking at and i should find sombody that does. Anyways I started fiddling around with the carb only to make the engine run 100 times worse than it already did (whoops). and finally concluded that I should get some help. P.S. If anybody on here lives in the Colorado Springs area and would be willing to give it a look it would be much appreciated.
first follow the gas line from the trunk to the motor and see if there's any old hose where it might be leaking look all around the carb for anything leaking
I bet your fuel pump is leaking...I mean the hose to it or from it to the carb. The blue can is a catch for vapors from the tank. it is smog control. it is supposed to go back to the carb. It doesnt affect the running of the engine..take off the air filter again and with a flash light if needed carefully identify and inspect the fuel line to the fuel pump on the engine, then to the carb. There are many places along the way it could be leaking... yet it is just one hose so be patient and you will find the leak. you can do this! This is a very dangerous situation, to drive with a gas leak. When you are looking for the leak, be very aware of anything that might make a spark, and wipe up any gas you find and throw the rag outside to dry immediately.
Thanks for the help, been working a lot lately so I haven't had a chance to check it out but ill try and take a look tomorrow. I know that the vapor can is not connected to the carb, it just has a small air filter on top of it. could this be the reason for the gas smell?
My canister connects to the air cleaner with a hose.. the fumes are supposed to be sucked into the carb..to be burnt. Check to see if there is a missing hose...
nope theres no hose, but i did get a new air cleaner (old one was held together with tape) and it came with a fitting that you can install that im guessing is for connecting to a hose for the vapor can.
I just deduced by your saying you have an edelbrock that you dont have a stock air cleaner thus no connector for the can to the carb.. but if youre smelling gas big time then it's something else. I hate that little can...takes up room. I'm going to get rid of it eventually and will run the hose straight to the carb...I guess. it's a vent hose I guess.. It needs to vent the air displaced by the filling of the tank.. and allow air back in when fuel is being withdrawn/used.and be where water can't get in it...and vent somwhere where the fumes won't be a problem.. My Coronet has no vent hose.. the cap two way..lets air in and out. i dunno..
