72 T fuel lines

[Scott A]

If you slowly remove one of these two bolts, this will drain the tank. Catch old gas in Tupperware or something better.
And while under there, then remove the line to the carbs. So that is empty too.
Once the tank is drained. You can take the car back into the garage.
There it will be safe and you will have more time to solve the mystery.


And one more thing. Don't use those hose clamps with the holes in them.
They will chew up the hose and even cut thru hose.
Use the OEM non-hole style

And congrats on having a 72.

[Arne]

Original MFI for '72 had a supply line and a return line. Sounds like the return line is not being used with the carbs.

[patjolson]

Scott and Arne Thank you both. Yes this was a MFI car so that solves that part of the riddle. Didn't know that about those gear clamps, great information.
This makes me feel like a detective.

[edmayo]

At some point you're going to have to do as Ravi suggests, which is to pressurize, or use water to check whether the metal fuel lines in the tunnel are punctured or not. As usual when a car is bastardized like yours you can't go off of normal diagnosis, since yours is not original anymore. For example the vent lines from the charcoal cannister connect to metal lines in the tunnel just behind the wooden floorboard. They may not be connected which would fill the car with fumes,,,,but not liquid gas, which you say you have. This needs to be determined in order to diagnose. In the normal hook-up for carbs with a rear pump, such as your car came with, the return line was used with carbs. We don't know how yours was plumbed,,,,more info needed! Another example,,,,there are three vent lines at the charcoal cannister,,,not two. Where is the third? You are going to have to start at the beginning,,,,the tunnel fuel lines.

[71gold]

Reviewing your photos of the front connectors it looks wet (gas?) around that area and the underside of the floor in another photo.
There is a lot of corrosion area those lines at the bulkhead and you could easily have pin holes at the intersection of the lines and the body.
Could be either on the outside or at the inside of those connections as they meet the bulkhead.

[71gold]

Here are photos of the lines at body intersection. Please note the rubber grommets on lines at the intersection.
Also note the vent lines as described by Mayo.
Really think the issue is from the corrosion as the lines enter tunnel.....that intersection looks really bad .
Think that’s a good staying point .....possibly removing the grommets to get a good view of the lines at this point.......Also could be as noted by Mayo the clamps have penetrated the hose and leaks at that point

Sorry ...the photos are upside down don’t know how to correct

[patjolson]

I don't know where I would be w/o this site. The information I have received has been excellent. I have learned sooooo much. I have several new leads to pursue in determining the odors. My wife is happy or happier too.
Thanks to everyone.

[patjolson]

Thanks to all who gave me input. Problem solved!
the fuel line coming out of the tunnel was severely rotted. The reason it wasn't apparent is/was because the line had a joint. The back portion was fine and therefore I assumed it was all fine. We all know what kind of problems occur when we assume.

[edmayo]

Wow, if those pictures are of your car,,,,what does the rest look like?