Gas tank problem

Hey, I need some info on gas tank for 1971 el camino.
Problem: I had a strong gas smell when tank was 3/4 or more full.I
pulled tank and could'nt find any leakage areas on tank but Ifound
what is called a seperator above tank on body.This has 3 hoses
from tank attached to it and 1 hose that went to canister on
old emission system that has been removed.What I need to know is
can I remove this seperator and cap off outlets on tank and if I do
this will it cause any problems with tank or full delivery?
Any body seen this before?
Thanks, pbernal

If you cap it, it will build pressure faster. Which isnt a problem unless your filling it up, or sitting in traffic on hot day. The only way to fix it is to replace the hose, or you could put a check valve on it so that it lets the pressure out when it gets to a certain point.

If you cap it, it will build pressure faster. Which isnt a problem unless your filling it up, or sitting in traffic on hot day. The only way to fix it is to replace the hose, or you could put a check valve on it so that it lets the pressure out when it gets to a certain point.


Cherryelky, thanks for the response.I've been mulling this over and I
decided to cap off the three vent ports on tank and venting it
at the fill neck with a vented gas cap.I'll see how well this
works.I thought about connecting some type of relief device
to center hose connector.Maybe I will explore this option.
Thanks, pbernal

yeah that should work out too. you might build a vacuum with that setup though. Mine builds some serious vacuum but I havent had a problem with it like that.

yeah that should work out too. you might build a vacuum with that setup though. Mine builds some serious vacuum but I havent had a problem with it like that.


I had someone with a pretty good suggestion, that I run a hose out of one of the vents up and attach it to one of those plastic differential type vents.I think that I am going to go with this and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Thats how my setup is, ideally the gas cap would vent for vacuum, and the check valve would vent for pressure, but i think both mine vent for pressure, so it builds vacuum.

It should work well unless you overfill the gas tank on a hot day. You will have gas smell and possible overflow on the garage floor.