Trouble with 68 Camaro

[Burt]

Hello,

I don't know where to post this so I figured maybe I would post it here. I own a 1968 SS 350 Camaro Automatic transmission with a 600 double pumper Holley Carb new, an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, headers, a cam and I don't know what type other then it's not stock and a combination flowmaster with Turbo X mufflers exhaust system. I plan on parting out the cam, springs and lifters with stock parts because I really don't like the way the engine feels and the car vibrates too much for my liking. I know that the double pumper and the cam may be affecting my first problem but the issue is almost comical. The needle on the gas guage is like a second hand on a clock almost. I have two really annoying problems maybe someone can help me with.

First the car drinks gas like I have never seen a car do before. The carb is set right. The floats are functioning properly, the idle is set a little higher then it should be at around 800 in neutral and 650 in gear so the engine doesn't jump around so much with the present cam. So it appears that all is good with the carburator. The fuel sending unit is new and fuel gauge works fine I think because I have checked the mileage after I fill the tank and drive the car to empty. I think I may be getting about 6 -8 miles per gallon

The second issue is the fact that everytime I turn the engine off and the car sits in the garage I get a real good gas fume odor and it seems like it's coming from the drivers side from the door to the rear wheel well. I know the tank line is in that area but I don't see any fuel leaking from the carb or the hose and the fuel cap is the SS cap that isn't that tight but I don't smell a lot of the fumes coming from around the cap. I have read a bunch of threads about line venting, charcoal cannisters etc. But I don't get it. Did these cars smell like this back in the day. My first car was a 1968 and basically the same car and if my memory serves me correctly I didn't have this problem. But then again that was a lifetime ago LOL.

Thanks for any help you can be.

Burt

[MrQuick]

Hey Burt...on the first issues....put a larger stall convertor in front of that trans...the gas milage? Your SOL, its a muscle car, comes with the territory.

The second issue, yes they did, some worst than others...a few guys have added a charcoal canister and swapped out the gas cap. Works for them.

Vince

[Yoda4561]

The mileage is gonna have alot to do with your cam, driving habits, and final drive ratio. A 350 with a mild cam, non-OD transmission, and 3.42 gears should be getting around 16-18 mpg under ideal conditions. That means highway cruising around 55-60 mph with a steady foot. 4.10 gears, stop and go driving in town, and a lumpy camshaft, 8 mpg sounds about right (and that's keeping your foot out of it).

[Burt]

Thanks a lot for the responses.

This weekend we parted out the cam, springs, lifters and put in new rocker arms which we probably didn't need to do. The whole thing from Comp. The car drives nicer for my tastes. It's not rockin and rolling anymore. Put a repro stock cam in. Hope you don't think less of me. Still have the Flowmaster/Turbo X Mufflers with the headers, Edelbrock Performer manifold and the Holley 600 double pumber so the growl is still there.

Found pin holes in the back of the gas line so now I am going to part out the line from front to back and see if the smell goes away. I'm gonna hold off on the cannister until I see how this goes.

Have to calculate the mileage after I fill the tank.
Other then that the car drives well and it's probably a 9 point vehicle. Gleams and I get a alot of thumbs up. Which basically means pretty much nothing.lololol

Thanks again I really appreciate the help.

Burt

[paul67]

You will be surprised how much gas is getting out of the pin holes

[brandon8350]

What stall does it have ?