Yesterday I was taking the Chevelle out for a spin and noticed a strong gasoline smell. I pulled over within a half mile of the house and opened the hood. There was gas everywhere. I couldn’t see an obvious leak so I walked back home to get some help. I returned approximately thirty minutes later, started the car and no gas leak. Any ideas??? I’m think maybe a float problem.

1969 Chevelle
396 engine
Stock fuel pump
750 Holley duel feed w/ mechanical secondary linkage

This car gets driven regularly (not stored for the winter) and was driven last Sunday without problem.

Thanks,
Bubba

By "gas everywhere", do you mean in the intake manifold area? If so, you probably had a "stuck" float. In the past, when thta had happened to me, a sharp "rap" with a wrench on the float bowl while the car is running normally cures it. A small particle of dirt lodged in the needle valve seat is the culprit. Do you run a fuel filter? If so, now would be the time to change it. IF the problem occurs again, it's time to tear down the carb and clean out the fuel bowl(s) and replace the needle valve assembly.

MalibuJerry350,

Gasoline was laying in the intake manifold, running down the front of the engine and on the inner fender (probably blown by the fan). I do have an inline filter. It has a clear glass housing and no visible dirt was in the filter. To be safe I think I’ll change the filter and the needle valve assembly. I drive the Chevelle to work a couple of days a week and I’d hate to break down in the middle of D.C.

Thanks for the info.

Bubba

Changing the needle valve, cleaning out the float chamber and changing the fuel filter should cure the problem. I use to drive the Chevelle into Newark everyday, so I know what you're talking about when you say you don't want to break down! :eek:

My 750 hol-leak did the same thing one time a few years ago but it happened when the car hadn't been started in a couple of months.

Adjusted the floats and it hasn't flooded over since but now it has a gasket dripping down onto the intake a little.
graemlins/angry.gif

Please don't replace the filter with another glass one,anything but glass,your car looks very nice let's keep it that way!Glass can break aluminum wont! graemlins/waving.gif

I've put just over 16,000 miles on the Chevelle in a little over two years. I think the motor was built in the early 90's. It probably wouldn't hurt to freshen up the carburetor. What's the problem with the glass fuel filters? I like the way they look.

Bubba

those glass filters suck i had them on a 69 camaro and a 71 nova had nothing but trouble with them!!!! use the aluminum ones!!!!!!! graemlins/sad.gif

More specifically Bubba, the glass filters have been know to crack or break. In some cases causing engine compartment fires.

Dan

Change the glass gas filter dude. A buddy of mine installed one on his 53 Studie and one day is leaked gss down to the exhaust and burned the hood and wires and made a mess of things. They look good, but will crack or leak where the aluminum will not. I'm not so sure that was your gas leak, once these leak they continue to leak till repaired/seal or replaced/aluminum.


Tazz

OK I’m convinced. I’ll pick up a rebuild kit and an aluminum filter.

Thanks for all the responses,

Bubba

Good call... Personally I'd rather be able to see you driving down the road then standing next to it in flames... Oh and at least your gas gauge works :D

Speaking of gas filters...I was using the Purolator # F21111 inline filter for quite some time. It WAS a metal unit. The last time I went in to purchase one, they had changed the construction to clean plastic! Great, huh?