Jaymanbikes

Yes I sealed the hatch panel. See my update. I think I’m getting closer.

Update, I used the smoke machine and turned the lights off in the garage and used a flash light to see if I could find the leak. I noticed it was pouring in under the vinyl on the rear shock towers. I pulled the vinyl back and will run the machine again today. While I was doing this I removed the plastic interior panels (again!)to make sure the source wasn’t under them and the smoke wasn’t just being diverted. My guess is there are bad panel seams.

I did buy a fog machine, and did exactly what you mentioned. The fog has a distinct smell and in time that smell did make its way into the cabin, however it was not apparent where it was coming from. I’m going to try it again and see if I can determine where the leak is. What’s interesting to me is, when I open a window, the exhaust smell is immediate, I would assume if it were a small leak it would take a bit of time for it to permeate the cabin. As I said, will try again.

Yep, tried that one. That’s why I know it’s sealing.

Yea I removed all my panels (multiple times). Looking for any gaps. I actually found a couple buried up where the rear portion of the quarters meets up with the rear panel. I thought for sure that was it! I sealed them up….same results. I couldn’t see them from above but I slipped a flashlight down into them and I could see light! Was totally bummed

It’s a Z Story Exhaust but I did think about putting a downward tip on the muffler to just see what happens. (I actually now have a single outlet muffler, the dual muffler was just too loud) I did try a straight extension but it didn’t help. After thinking it through I realized I wasn’t getting the exhaust away from the airflow, if anything I was just making it worse.

Just remember it’s all about prep. For small parts I use a Harbor Freight tumbler with water and Dawn soap. If I have some parts that are stubborn, I will throw in a small handful of sheet rock screws into the tumbler. It’s amazing how much crap comes off after tumbling for a few hours. On the larger parts I use a dremel with the little scotch bright heads which can be purchased in bulk off EBay or Amazon. Dremel also makes what looks like a small rotary buffer that uses scotch bright pads and these can cover the larger parts like head light buckets.

So I know exhaust smells the the cabin is an age old problem, there are tons of threads about it and I think I’ve read them all over the years. I restored a 72 and knew about the issue so I was careful to address any and all leak points I was aware of during restoration. I replaced all the surge tank hoses, and all the grommets from the fire wall back to the hatch of the car. I have ensured my tail light gaskets are good, my hatch gasket is perfectly sealed, the shifter boot is sealed etc. I have the car running and driving/handling better than I ever thought it would. When the windows are up, no smells but the minute I roll the window down I get exhaust. I checked my entire exhaust system (which is all new) for leaks, he’ll I purposely made the carbs lean just to see if I was running rich and the smell is still there. The smell is bad enough that the first thing I do is change clothes when I get back home. I’m just out of ideas as to what the hell is going on. I’ve ridden in plenty of other 70-73’s that don’t pump out these smells so I know something is up. Any ideas you have, shoot ‘em my way. Pics just for the hell of it. Thanks!

Thanks all, I didn’t want to damage my air galley rail, as you can see from the pic it’s a perfect piece and has been replated. I chose to get the plugs from Z Car Depot.

Yea, keeping this car as close to original as possible. Have a header on my other Z

Interested in knowing what you guys used to plug the air rail holes In your stock exhaust manifold? I used some galvanized plugs in my manifold that is now leaking. Will be replacing that manifold and looking for other suggestions.

Good to know, yea would definitely need a shut off for safety purposes

No, it’s a OEM fuel rail, a very short piece of fuel tubing between the mechanical pump and the rail.

I just replaced my cheap knock off OEM fuel pump with another cheap knock off...LOL. I might just put an electric pump in place. Any concerns with leaving the mechanical in place along with the electric?

Chasing some fuel gremlins in my stock 72. Would like to put a fuel pressure gauge on the car. Looking for ideas from folks with cars that have one installed and are running mechanical fuel pump only. Thanks! Jay