I'm guessing this may be carburetor-related, or maybe it's just the way it is. Every now and then I make some attempt to get rid of one of the wife's complaints around the old car (mostly just so I can hear a new one, for a change). Her biggest complaint these days is the exhaust. She complains about the fumes. This time, I have to admit there may be some truth to her compaint. There's no coloration to the exhaust, but the fumes do tend to get a little overbearing; especially since I have to back it into the garage - really stinks up the place. Anybody have any suggestions on anything I might be able to do about it? The basics - original 455, 150k miles, rebuilt carb around 100k, dual exhaust, GS air cleaner, otherwise bone stock base motor - runs great. Plugs look great, so fire seems OK. It'd be really great if I could tone down the stink in the exhaust.
Hey Victor-- I think it's pretty much just a fact of life with a pre-emissions car. There have been some threads about this before, and everyone agreed that we are just spoiled these days by "clean" cars. The only thing that might help is to try leaning out the idle mixture screws, but I'd bet they're probably already tuned right...
I tend to drive mine in forward for the same reason. When I start it & let it warm, most of the fumes tend to be at the open garage door. Easier to deal with than fumes by the man-door into the house.
Have you adjusted the idle mixtures, and verified that the vacuum break diaphragm(s) are operational?
It would help to know whether this is due to oil consumption, or a lean mixture. It might also be due to bad fuel. As suggested, try adjusting the idle mixture. Can you describe the smell? Does it burn your nose? Ray
There isn't any detectable oil consumption and the exhaust is clear. The plugs look great, so mixture seems right. I think it's already set fairly lean. It basically just smells like car fumes. Unfortunately, due to the crappy driveway configuration, I don't have any choice but to back in. I guess that just being a 455 without converters... it just puts out a lot...
Typically, if the mixture is lean, the resulting exhaust burns the eyes and nose. If the engine runs smooth, especially at idle, the mixture is correct. Due to additive packages, some fuel smell different from others, especially when dealing with sulfur content. It is the sulfur content of the fuel that makes certain vehicles reek of rotten eggs. One more consideration here is the possibility of fuel vapor, resulting from vapor leaks from the tank. I only offer food for thought here. For the most part, fuel chemistry has changed drastically over the years, and the resulting smell can be difficult to accept. If the vehicle runs well, you might try a different fuel. In some cases a different fuel will directly affect the performance and the smell due to varying chemistries. I have done my share of shopping for fuel and have used the ones which worked the best. Food for thought...
