Just acquired a beautiful '56 with 2 4-barrel. This is my first classic and I'm in a learning phase right now.

I have a question about the smell - it smells fairly strongly of gas - more so when you are driving, but even when it has been sitting for a while. One person told me this is normal for these old cars.

Thanks a lot.

 

Cap -

First, check out your fuel system, from the tank all the way to the carbs, looking (and smelling) for leaks or seepage; I'd remove the tank cover and look at the tank, the sending unit, and the main fuel line connection from the sending unit to rule out any leaks, and VERY closely at the hose from the fuel filler to the tank and its clamps. The filler hoses get dry-rot eventually, are not always replaced with the proper reinforced barrier hose, and can leak (especially on right turns).

If your car was never reworked per a 1956 Service Bulletin, it has a non-vented fuel tank and a vented fill cap; this tends to leak fuel through the cap vent, again especially on right turns. The cure for this is a non-vented sealed cap, but you can't use one unless the tank is vented; by the time you go through all the hassle of removing the tank to add a vent nipple, it's just as simple to buy a Quanta replacement tank that's already vented and add the vent hose that exits in the filler neck cavity. If your tank is already vented, check the long rubber vent hose across the top of the tank - they get old and dry-rot too, and allow fumes to vent inside the car.

This is a VERY common problem on ALL C1's, and can be cured simply by making sure the tank is vented, the hoses and clamps are sound, and a sealed cap is used. Use 3M "Strip-Caulk" (commonly called "dum-dum") on the tank compartment cover when you re-install it to seal off the fuel tank cavity from the inside of the car - the compartment has holes in the bottom to ventilate it.

NICE-looking car! 'Course, I might be biased...

 

Not only do I thoroughly agree with the above, but from experience (I own a 56) I think that it is a greater probability that you will find your "gas smell" origin at the rear around either the sending unit flange (it may need a new gasket or the screws may need to be tightened) or the rubber hose connecting the filler neck to the tank. Also, if you should have a NON-vented cap on your original 56 tank, that will cause excess internal pressure and the fumes will vent anywhere there is the slightest opening, again, possibly around the sending unit flange/gasket.
If your source of gas fumes is at the carbs, fuel lines, pump or fuel line between the tank and pump, that will be evident immediately. But if it is under the tank cover, that will require some extra inspection (I'll bet a burger the fumes are coming from the tank area, because this is within the passenger compartment).
One last thing. Open the gas door. You will (or should) see a drain hole in the lower corner of the filler compartment. On the OTHER side of this drain hole is a fiberglass tube which SHOULD have a rubber drain hose attached to it. This drain hose directs overflow/spillage to the ground. If one is not installed on your car, it SHOULD be and it is a B#*&H to install. Do it anyway. I installed an extra long one on my car which ends BELOW the leaf spring so that gas doesn't run down on any of the car.
Actually, that wasn't the last thing, this is. ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL early cars, up to mid-57 when the gas tank vent was added by the factory, leak profusely out the filler when the left side of the car is lower than the right side. This is worse in the summer when the tank is full. If the car is parked, leaning to the left side, the fuel/vapors expand as the car heats up in the sun. The resultant pressure pushes gas out the only opening, the filler. It either drains out the drain hole and spreads all around the inside of the body, or, it runs out the gas door and down the side of the body. This condition also occurs on mid-57 thru 62 cars, but not as bad because they have the tank vent (but it is not the best vent).

 

Fine looking car's, them 56's :yesnod:
Great advice also, I'v been smellin those fumes for years, just thought that was the way it was supposed to be in a 45 year old car... looks like I have some work to do too. Thanks

 

Thanks for the help! Looks like I have my first project. You guys are great...again.

 

By the way, I failed to mention that I did 100% eliminate the gas smell, EXCEPT when I inadvertantly park the 56 with it leaning to the left with a full or nearly full tank.

 

Just wondering if a 61-62 tank will work on a 54 or will I have to have one made with baffles and vent?
thanks in advance for your reply.
km

 

I see I have my late spring project, too. I never try to park my 57 in the garage with a full tank, and always let it sit outside or open all the garage doors and turn on the pedestal fan for an hour before closing everything up to keep the gas smell from entering the house. Gotta keep the wife happy 'cause she lets me drive her 97 sometimes! :D

 

NICE, NICE, NICE
NICE , NICE! Car....