Heavy Fuel Smell

[ChallengerHK]

Well, I did some investigation today, and at least one source is definitely the sender area. There's something like a paste around the sender that I'm guessing is road dirt mixed with gas, but it definitely smells strongly of gasoline. I'm going to check out the fuel supply hose and make sure it isn't cracked, and if that's not it I'll pull the sender and look at the gasket and the ears.

[LAA66]

 Just few a suggestions, I found the stock lock ring without the "bumps" works better then the one that came from Spectra. Gluing the rubber ring to the tank and keeping the sender centered while it is tightened helps also. Tapping the ring with a hammer and chisel can cause miss alignment of the sender, a spanner tool works better. Remember to drain down the tank to below half as it will spill out once the ring is removed.

[ChallengerHK]

Thanks for the info, LAA. I used whatever ring came from Year One; it's been a while, so I'm not sure if it had bumps or not. I do recall having trouble getting it together, however.  Once I get it apart I'll know more about what I need, but if the seal is torqued I may get a spanner tool, if they're not too 

[LAA66]

 I made one from an old motorcycle shock spring adjuster I had laying around.

[TreeFrog]

I kept smelling gas on the 73 challenger.. I got up and peaked at everything I could. It was not unill I lowered the tank and took the pad off the top, that I found out most of the top of the tank has rusted through

[ChallengerHK]

Thanks, Treefrog. I had the same problem, although mine was actually peeing out the side, and right onto my muffler  . I replaced the tank about 5 years ago along with the sender, seal and retaining ring, and the pad.

[TreeFrog]

where did you find a new pad?

[ChallengerHK]

My memory is a little hazy on this, but I think it was a generic (i.e., non-repop) item from Year One.

[ChallengerHK]

I might be wrong. When I did the fuel tank I bought some stuff from Year One and some stuff (including the tank, I just remembered) from Mitchell Motor Parts, so the pad may have come from them. Frankly, if I had a choice between Mitchell and nothing, I'd cut a piece of carpet to fit. OK, I'm sure that's a terrible idea, but I'd go way, way out of my way to avoid having to deal with Mitchell. Lousy delivery times, and the worst customer service I've ever encountered. 

[TreeFrog]

understand.  I will have to look at my old one.

I may spray the liner on the car above the tank as well...

moisture could go both ways.

[ChallengerHK]

I'm thinking I might pull my gas tank and paint it anyway, at least along the top. I might get a pint of POR-15 silver and do the whole thing.

[ChallengerHK]

Treefrog, I'm about 90% sure that this was the pad I ordered, from Year One:

 Part #    Description                                            Price
JH101      Fuel tank pads, 1970-1974 E-body           $20.95

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I might be wrong. When I did the fuel tank I bought some stuff from Year One and some stuff (including the tank, I just remembered) from Mitchell Motor Parts, so the pad may have come from them. Frankly, if I had a choice between Mitchell and nothing, I'd cut a piece of carpet to fit. OK, I'm sure that's a terrible idea, but I'd go way, way out of my way to avoid having to deal with Mitchell. Lousy delivery times, and the worst customer service I've ever encountered. 

You failed to mention the Mitchell motors prices.               

[RaptorF229]

My car had the gas smell too. I changed out the tank, sending unit, main fuel line with SS, and all the rubber hoses about two weeks ago. No more gas smell.

[ChallengerHK]

You failed to mention the Mitchell motors prices.               

Actually, the price was great, lower than anybody else. Maybe that's what kept them from sending it for three (3) months.