I drive my '75 every weekend, and I think i have a fuel leak for 2 reasons.

1. everytime i start the car for the first time, i have to wait a lot for the fuel to get to the carb.
I have a fuel pressure gauge and after a week, there is no pressure what-so-ever in the system.
I hadn't thought much about it until,

2. about 2 weeks ago, i was at a car show and got rained on, and after driving home about 2 miles, there was a slight gas smell around the back of the car.(I did fill up before the show)
the next day, the gas smell was really bad by the back of the car, and there was an area that looked like evaporated liqued underneth the pass side rear.
Before this, i haven't smelled any gas or seen any traces.
(I'll also admit, that since it was raining, I had slight traction problems. :thumbsup3

so I removed the spare tire carrier to see what was there.
i found a drain tube which i assume was to drain from on top of the tank, and it did have a drop hanging from it.



But i also found this wet area up in the right corner, i scratched and sniffed and it was deffinatly gas too.



At this point I'm not sure where to go, it looks like the metal panel right behind the hose comes off, but i'm just not sure.

I figure there's a cracked hose somewhere back there that needs replacing.
My questions are
Where could the leak be at?
and how can I get to it?

 

This is definitely not good !
I think you will have to remove the fuel tank... and it's not an easy task...
Did you check if you still have a leak when the fuel level is low in the tank ?

 

It definately sounds like your rubber fuel lines have started leaking. I had the same gas smells from my 77 and found the rubber lines bad. You may be able to take out your side marker lamp and look into the tank line area to look at the rubber lines but like 73 streetrace said you will have to drop the tank to replace them. I found the tank pretty easy to get out and back in once the fuel was out of the tank. Besides it gives you an excuse to see if the build sheet is still up there.

 

I think the drain hose you show is for the seal around the gas cap area to get the water out of there. If you do drop your tank, you might want to have someone look at that frame rail. From the picture you posted it looks like it has a pretty good crack in it.

 

3 lines total

supply and return on the passenger side

vapor line on the driver side

If they're original, then there is ZERO doubt in mind that they're dried up, cracked and leaking.

The tank is very easy to pull.

1. Siphon all the fuel out
2. Pull out the spare carrier (top and bottom)
3. Slide your hand up there and snip all 3 lines
4. Remove that cross brace (4 bolts) that the straps hook into
5. Slide the tank forward and down

Oh and wear some goggles unless you like your eyes full of dust.

While you're in there, look for your build sheet to. If you have a crash shield over your tank like I do on my '76, then it'll probably be on that and not the tank itself. Just pull all the bolts out and wrestle it down.

 

I believe that's a seam not a crack.

 

I have never seen any kind of dripping or smell until this, and since it's an old car,
I always look for leaks and other age related problems, I kind of expect them now.
It does make complete sense about the hoses, I already replaced the hoses up front.

hmmm, i wonder if the traction problems in the rain might have accelerated the hoses to brake.

 

The hoses are 35 years old and need to be replaced. In my case with the leaking lines I for the longest time smelled the fuel but could not see it. The hoses are above the right muffler where it is almost impossible to see. Like I mentioned earlier remove the cornering light and look inside that hole you may be able to see the lines then. I did

 

as it is now, i can't see or get my hands up to where the hoses are.
But first I need to empty the just filled tank, siphon or drive?
hmmm... be back later
Yes, seam.

 

I should probably fix the inaccurate fuel gauge while I'm in there too.

 

I just replaced my tank and all the trimmings last weekend. It’s not really difficult or expensive while you have it out replace everything that might be in question for peace of mind.

 

Gas evaporates so fast, it's doubtful you'll ever see a drip. My passenger side muffler was stained up from the gas dripping on it. That was the only sign I had. And now that you mention it, I did have my mufflers off when I pulled my tank. He'll probably need to pull them off as well.

 

Yes,drop the tank and check out the hoses and check out the inside of the tank and clean it while your there.

 

I just looked at your pics again.

This thing I tried to outline is your crash shield.



If you have a buildsheet, it will be on top of that and NOT the fuel tank.

It's held on by about a dozen bolts around the perimeter. This is what it looks like when it's out.



And sadly, yes, that was all that was left of my build sheet.

 

So I finally dropped my gas tank and here's what I found.



you were right, thanks for your help.
and there'll be a gas tank hose replacement thread coming soon.

 

Also a 75
Not only the hoses are old, but the fuel line under the clamp.