I haven't seen much on this, and I am trying to trace this down. After thinking that I have been having heart problems, I went to the doctor. A little young for all of that, but it does run in the family, so I went to the Dr and had it checked out. It turns out that we figured out that I was probably exposed to carbon monoxide, low dose, long term. Symptoms are similar to angina, so he said. "I can run a lot of expensive tests, or you can just quit driving the truck for a while and see if you feel better after a few days". I have a new exhaust system and have had since the rebuild. Single exhaust, behind the right tire. I am thinking of adding an extension to take it out a few more inches to completely clear the bed. Cab corners are rusted out a bit, put temporarily fixed with duct tape and other red neck fixes until I can afford to get the cab corners welded in. I have duct taped under the shifter boots and sealed off the holes in the firewall. I have even replaced the sending unit gasket on the gas tank, as it occasionally leaked small amounts of fuel. All I have not done is replace the short hose between the tank and the filler nozzle or whatever it's called, in case the fumes of raw fuel is bothering me. The next step may be to put the tank in the bed. I drove the truck yesterday, and today I have headaches, neck tightness, stomach cramps, chest pains, etc.. I have little doubt that these problems are caused by the truck. I need some ideas here, if anyone has experienced similar problems.

 

Shelstin - Bummer! Of course, the duct tape stuff has got to be fixed better.
1. I assume that we're talking about a pickup here (you said "bed") and with the exhaust so far out back, it's hard to believe that the gases are getting into the cab from there. Have you checked for leaks at the headers or collector?
2. Is the gas tank of your truck inside the cab or under it? That smell would bother me too and I am a smoker!

 

What kind of exhaust manifolds do you have? Also where is your muffler located?

I am using the stock ford manifolds and they have a donut style gasket.

The guy who did my exhaust didn't tighten the pipe to manifold tight enough it was leaking there and when he made the crossover there was a spot that wasn't welded shut.

I also hated the fuel smell in the cab and relocated the tank under the bed. If you keep the tank in the cab you should replace the rubber tube at the filler neck (none of the fixes you did or my suggestion of replacing rubber piece worked for me).

You may want to check the fuel line and the rubber piece around the fuel line.

Chuck

 

The motor is a 292 out of a 63 wheat truck. My truck is a 60 F250 4x4. The manifold crosses over the front of the engine, and does not leak to the best of my knowledge. It is also welded, but I will do a double check in that area. I will replace the hose from the filler neck to the tank. I occasionally notice a raw fuel smell after a fill up. That's gotta go.....whatever it takes. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

To help the raw fuel smell, I replaced my rubber tube that connects the tank to the the filler tube. Made a huge difference, but there will always be a slight smell. I guess that old trucks for you, -4speed

 

You shouldn't get any cab fuel smell if your tank isn't leaking, your gas line is tight and your rubber fill hose is fairly new. I still have mine in the cab and never have a problem...even if it's filled up, the windows shut and it's been sitting a while. The hose could be the culprit if it'd more than 5 years old.
As far as the exhaust fumes go, until you get all the rust holes sealed up, you will have a problem...I've been thru it!
Norb

 

I have been fighting the same sort of thing in my f600. My problem was an oil leak onto exhaust manifold and manifolds not tight enough on head. My exhaust manifolds are always working loose and need constant retightening. People look at you wierd when it is 45 degrees and you have the window down with the vent window angled to catch maximum air. It was bad when I didn't notice the smell but my wife noticed it on me when I came in the house. "Get it fixed" Good advice.

 

That's me! Vent open moving the air around...good to know that it's fixable.

 

Shelstin

Another point of access is the Firewall where the Steering Column, Cables & Hoses come thru. The Rubber there that keeps things from being chafed or just to fill in the gaps more than likely needs to be replaced after all these years.
And you should not smell fumes if the rubber on your Petrol Tank fittings are any good, if you smell Petrol, quickly replace them all to be on the safe side A.S.A.P..

Cheers
Colonel Flashman
Red '58 Mercury M-100 Truck
Blue '58 Mercury M-100 Panel

 

also you should chase your fuel-tank`s vent hose to see that it does evacuate the fumes outside of your cab.

 

Yesterdays news had an article on a joint German/USA EPA study about automotive fumes and heart attacks. Seems there is correlation between those driving, walking or bicycling AND having heart attacks within about 1 hour later.

Since carbon monoxide is pretty much minimized these days (in modern vehicles anyway)I wonder if it isnt some other chemical reaction/byproduct with the fuel???

 

I appreciate all of the input. This weekend I will check for carbon monoxide in the cab. I will go from there. It could be raw fuel that is bothering me. I honestly thought that I was having a heart attack. I am willing to bet that there is a strong correlation between carbon monoxide and heart attacks. I had not considered the vent tube, and since the truck is almost 45 years old, I am willing to bet that some of the rubber is that old as well. I love the truck, but I was considering selling it because of these problems. I can't imagine a truck coming off of the showroom floor in 1960 had these problems. It has to be "fixed". Keep those suggestions coming, though. Thanks again...I will keep you informed.

 

Forgot to mention; that study was done in a German city of 250K population and the bikes as well as walkers were well mixed in with the dense auto traffic.

 

I recently went through this also. After purchasing my truck, I drove it for a few miles and thought I was sitting on top of a gas station. I have redone the whole engine since then, however the problem is not fumes from the exhaust. It's more likely the gas tank in the interior. This is what I did and the fumes are pretty much gone. I replaced the gasket on the sending unit with one made of neoprene rubber, not cork... I replaced the rubber sleeve on the filler neck, it was cracked and dry. I took the whole tank out and took it to a radiator shop and had it hot tanked. After years and years of gas and stagnate who knows what, you get crude buildup in the tank. And let me tell you it smells bad, no to mention the crude going into your fuel system. Very important, check to see that your gas cap is good. With the old models, you have to have a vented cap. If it's not vented, the fumes build up in your tank and have to go somewhere. When they hot tank the gas tank. they check for leaks also. It good security. I noticed the biggest change doing the neoprene gasket on the sending unit. Also check you fuel lines for small leaks or loose clamps. Hope this helps. Don't have a heart attack on us.

 

I switched the gasket, but used cork again. Good info.......what does hot tank mean?