I have a 70 SS 396. It has the original engine with a few performance mods including a Edelbrock 750 carb, performor RPM manifold, MSD ignition. It has the functional cowl hood. The problem is I get a very strong odor in the car whenever I stomp it, I assume coming thru the cowl vents (even closed). My wife bitches like crazy and does not like to ride in it because she says she smells like gas. The car did it with the stock carb and intake as well. Plugs look a tad rich but not bad, no black smoke at all at WOT. Any ideas, or is this just the way it is?

Leave the wife at home next time? :D(sorry,couldn't resist)

It might be the hood to fire wall rubber seal. I never had one and would get gas and other odors in the car. Installed the seal, made a big diff.