Good Looking, Bad Smelling '59

[Mark R. Gustetter, AIA]

I have a really nice '59 with the original 283/290 FI engine. When I purchased it, it did not have the FI unit on it, but, instead, had a single carb, carb'ed intake manifold and disk air cleaner. Since first getting the car, it has always run with a fairly heavy, raw fuel smell that permeates the cabin (especially bad if the top had to be up!). Lately, it has grown worse, to the point that driving it any distance risks asphyxiation. I and a vintage vette mechanic have checked the fuel lines from the tank to the engine, as well as the exhaust system, and can find no leaks. The car has the correct gas cap and fuel tank vent line (although the fuel filler neck appears to be a fraction smaller in diameter than it should be, resulting in a not-quite tight cap fit). I'm planning on having the correct FI unit installed in the near future, but am wary of making such an investment if this does nothing to solve this particular problem. Has anyone else encountered gas fumes like these? If so, how did you eliminate them? Thanks.

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Good Looking, Bad Smelling '59

Although the tank is prone to slosh problems, i'd look for a leak at the rubber fitting that joins the filler pipe to the tank. You will have to pull off the tank cover to do this, but these get old, the filler pipe and the tank inlet rust some and makes a dandy source of fumes in not an actual leak.

[Larry Allen NCRS #11708]

Re: Good Looking, Bad Smelling '59

As Bill suggested check the rubber hose at the filler pipe. I had the same gas problem with a '59 and it was the filler hose. Not a big job but needs to be done before you have a fire.

[bob Gaynor #21091]

Re: Good Looking, Bad Smelling '59

try the vent hose on top of the tank , remove the panel, the hose could be hardened or cracked. is it worse witha full tank?

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Good Looking, Bad Smelling '59

I had this problem on my 61, and it was the vent line. It was cracked underneath, and hard to see until I took it completely off.

[Doug Flaten]

Re: Good Looking, Bad Smelling '59

I had a problem with my 61 that was worse with a full tank. Vent lint to the filler door was intact, but the drain tube that runs from the filler door down and out the bottom of the car was broken. Fuel would then drip behind the seat.