Dangling Cable
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
70's Smell
I had the same thing happen to me when I brought home my '71 coupe. It smells different because it is different. Mine also has a slight oil leak from somewhere underneath, but two mechanics have told me that it's 35 years old and some of the seals are "weak" and not to worry. The gasoline smell had us concerned at first but I've gotten used to it. I just haven't found any leaks so I don't see anything that needs fixing or replacing.
Safety issues are a high priority and I don't pretend to know your situation. For me, though, I'm watching things but not worrying as much as I used to. By the way, this forum has a mechanic's checklist link that's great for the do-it-yourself owner who wants to tend to the routine maintenance. Very informative.
Safety issues are a high priority and I don't pretend to know your situation. For me, though, I'm watching things but not worrying as much as I used to. By the way, this forum has a mechanic's checklist link that's great for the do-it-yourself owner who wants to tend to the routine maintenance. Very informative.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
Scott/WagoneerJim,
Congradrats on the purchases
For piece of mind I'd make an appointment with a local "knowledgeable"
garage for a look see by experienced eyes.
A fuel leak and spark will lead to a burned vette. My buddy had his original Greenwood Wagon Vette catch fire .....twice. The second time finished it off!
http://www.sheldonaubut.com/vettewagon/adventure.htm
Good luck,
JU
Congradrats on the purchases
For piece of mind I'd make an appointment with a local "knowledgeable"
garage for a look see by experienced eyes.
A fuel leak and spark will lead to a burned vette. My buddy had his original Greenwood Wagon Vette catch fire .....twice. The second time finished it off!
http://www.sheldonaubut.com/vettewagon/adventure.htm
Good luck,
JU
Last edited by John Ulrich; Jan 26, 2006 at 12:53 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
If you aren't planning to tow a trailer with your Vette, trace the wires back from that connector and remove them. They are probably spliced into your brake and tail light wires. That dangling connector will corrode and could eventually cause problems with the tail lights and brake lights.
If you want to leave the connector, go to a RV store and get a cap for the connector to keep water out. Zip tie it up high so water won't splash on it.
BTW, a trailer hitch was an option on Corvettes - not sure which years it was offered. The license plate would fold down and the end of the receiver was behind it.
Rick B.
If you want to leave the connector, go to a RV store and get a cap for the connector to keep water out. Zip tie it up high so water won't splash on it.
BTW, a trailer hitch was an option on Corvettes - not sure which years it was offered. The license plate would fold down and the end of the receiver was behind it.
Rick B.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 434
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland Ohio
Originally Posted by Jerry Curl
I thought of that, but then I tried to think of who would use a Vette to haul a trailer...
Plus as said above, a hitch was an option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Originally Posted by Jerry Curl
The leak is about dead center under the hood. ANy ideas on what I should check first?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by Jerry Curl
After further investigation, it appears its the power steering fluid leaking a little bit.
... seriouslyIf you have the receiver behind the plate .. cool ... thinking of doing this
myself someday.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ltinnell
YES!, Check the fittings on the fuel pump mine was leaking there...................LT
When I go in to the garage I smell gas too, 
on our 81, just found out it was leaking at the elbow fitting on the fuel pump.....Good Luck,
Hans
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
Look out Barret J
WOW!!!!!!! you may have the next 300K car 
The trailer package was first offered in 1977 as RPO ZN1. 
I would have thought that it was the old ZO7 (off road suspension and brake package) It could have possibly shown on up in a late 1976 production I suppose. However, in 1977 the ZN1 option was the rarest production option (289 units). Therefore, by the twisted logic of some of the purchases at BJ, it would be more desirable to those damn yahoos at BJ 
There were more pace cars built in 78 than your car, and more L-82's built in 77 than your car. So hitch'em up and keep on truckin good buddy.
The trailer package was first offered in 1977 as RPO ZN1. I would have thought that it was the old ZO7 (off road suspension and brake package) It could have possibly shown on up in a late 1976 production I suppose. However, in 1977 the ZN1 option was the rarest production option (289 units). Therefore, by the twisted logic of some of the purchases at BJ, it would be more desirable to those damn yahoos at BJ There were more pace cars built in 78 than your car, and more L-82's built in 77 than your car. So hitch'em up and keep on truckin good buddy.
Last edited by MoneyPit; Jan 27, 2006 at 12:36 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Land O' Lakes FL
Originally Posted by MoneyPit
WOW!!!!!!! you may have the next 300K car The trailer package was first offered in 1977 as RPO ZN1. I would have thought that it was the old ZO7 (off road suspension and brake package) It could have possibly shown on up in a late 1976 production I suppose. However, in 1977 the ZN1 option was the rarest production option (289 units). Therefore, by the twisted logic of some of the purchases at BJ, it would be more desirable to those damn yahoos at BJ There were more pace cars built in 78 than your car, and more L-82's built in 77 than your car. So hitch'em up and keep on truckin good buddy.
The trailer package was first offered in 1977 as RPO ZN1. I would have thought that it was the old ZO7 (off road suspension and brake package) It could have possibly shown on up in a late 1976 production I suppose. However, in 1977 the ZN1 option was the rarest production option (289 units). Therefore, by the twisted logic of some of the purchases at BJ, it would be more desirable to those damn yahoos at BJ There were more pace cars built in 78 than your car, and more L-82's built in 77 than your car. So hitch'em up and keep on truckin good buddy.Assuming this trailer cable is a factory installed option, wouldnt there be a hitch somewhere?
The rear bumper was replaced on this car (the top was melted somehow when the guy had the car repainted about 5 years ago), so I dont know if any signs of a hitch would be obvious anymore.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
I thought of that, but then I tried to think of who would use a Vette to haul a trailer...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Land O' Lakes FL
Originally Posted by vettehead69
Stanky fingers, leaky seals and cycling fluids. Now this is the forum I was looking for!
That is definitely a trailer light plug hanging from your bumper. Or a fuse for the Vette-bomb?
That is definitely a trailer light plug hanging from your bumper. Or a fuse for the Vette-bomb?
You might think so after reading this thread. These guys have me scared Im going to explode when I turn the lights on in the garage.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
The rubber fuel line exits the tank at the top and runs over to the right side of the car where it joins into a steel line that takes it to the front of the car. I had a crack in the rubber line where it joins the steel line.
The fuel leaked out and dripped down onto the muffler where it quickly evaporated. I sould smell the fuel, but it didn't leave a stain on the floor. That is, until the drip got bigger.
It might be worth checking. Take a look above the right muffler.
It was a pain in the *** to fix. I was able to get my hand up there, cut off an inch of fuel line, and reconnect it.
The fuel leaked out and dripped down onto the muffler where it quickly evaporated. I sould smell the fuel, but it didn't leave a stain on the floor. That is, until the drip got bigger.
It might be worth checking. Take a look above the right muffler.
It was a pain in the *** to fix. I was able to get my hand up there, cut off an inch of fuel line, and reconnect it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Land O' Lakes FL
The problem is, I dont have a lift.
These damn car sit way too low to the ground.
Im guessing based on these posts, its got to be that rubber hose or possibly that filter under the washer fluid tank. I dont get a gas smell when driving, and sticking my face in the engine bay doesnt yield a particularly powerful smell either, but I do smell it a little. Of course, I did have the garage door open when I was looking under there.
These damn car sit way too low to the ground.
Im guessing based on these posts, its got to be that rubber hose or possibly that filter under the washer fluid tank. I dont get a gas smell when driving, and sticking my face in the engine bay doesnt yield a particularly powerful smell either, but I do smell it a little. Of course, I did have the garage door open when I was looking under there.
