jwdwight

I am storing a Speedster and 356SC cab in my garage for a friend. There is an unbelievably strong fuel smell that is leaking into the house. I think it is coming from the engine compartment of the Speedster. The engine compartment of the 356 smells ok but the Speedster compartment smells strongly of fuel. Is this common? Any thoughts on how to store these cars and not have the strong fuel smell?

Domer911

Is the fuel **** in the off (9 o'clock) position?

jcnesq

Yeh, make sure the fuel **** is off. Also, you might check the fuel cap gasket in the tank.

Beware long term storage of fuel can wreak havoc, may be time to drain the tank before the fuel turns to varnish.

points

I just had this problem. Took to my mechanic who checked all fuel lines...they were fine...and I have dellorto carbs which like webers dont sit and leak. Solex carbs floats leak when gas evaporates in the bowl.

As the last thing we took cap off and the cork gasket was shot. Called stoddard and bought a rubber gasket. 2 day shipping and the gas smell in my garage is over.

jwdwight

Thank you everyone for the ideas. I will work on these and see what happens.

dave292

I had a strong gas smell in my garage last year. I checked everything I could think of. Turned out that one of the rubber lines coming out of the tank on the bottom of the car was rotten. Gas was dripping under my Racedeck and I could't sees the puddle.

Steve Jensen

As said, normal - either tank gasket or carb bowls.

My wife always complained of the gas smell in my '65 C coupe. Told her it was normal, she didn't believe me.

We then went and saw teh Cars & Guitars of Rock N Roll display at teh Petersen in LA. Got to within 10 feet of Janis Joplin's cabriolet, and what do you know, Eau Du Chevron. Looked at the wife and said "Told ya so!"

1965356

Not normal at all.. My 65 smelled until we fixed some fuel lines and the float on a carb now no smell.... You shouldn't think this is normal ever

Domer911

I do think there's something to be said of any motor with carburetors. You're just plain going to get more of a gasoline smell around those cars than you will with FI.

1965356

I have the 356, 73 challenger and a 1950 Ford F1 hot rod with a hemi all carbeurated.
Gas smell is not normal, fumes from the exhaust does happen due to the limitations of carbs and lack of emissions systems. But straight gas smell should never happen .

sccchiii

As was pointed out, raw fuel smell is not normal and carbs dont change the fact there is leak somewhere there shouldnt be.

dave292

Did you ever determine the cause of the smell????

points

High fiber diet. Too many pinto beans.

zoomie50

Check the fuel line behind the fan housing. That one and the one just inside the center tunnel are missed frequently when updating fuel lines. I would recommend you update all your fuel lines to alcohol safe fuel lines. Older fuel lines do not go well with the alcohol in todays modern gas.