Fuel pump necessary?

[2Forty]

The 73 I just bought has wiring for an electric fuel pump but it is missing. Car seems to run fine without it. That may change when summer gets here. Should I install one? Also, the interior reeks of gas. I replaced the taillight gaskets (taillight mounting flanges warped). Hatch gaskets aren't bad. Someone replaced one of the vent lines that needs to be sealed. Anything else? I guess my daily driver idea is almost out the window. Car needs a lot of "little" things.

[Arizona240z]

The mechanical pump should work fine... And they are easy to change if it does go out!

When you say it reeks of gas, do you mean actual gas smells or exhaust? If it's the exhaust smell, there are several ways it could be seeping in (these cars are famous for this). Try getting an extension tip on the exhaust pipe to bring it out just past the bumper for starters.

I'm in Chandler right next to Mesa send me a pm sometime, I'd like to meet and check out the car.... Not to see what might be wrong with it, I'm not a mechanic!

[Mr Camouflage]

If its a gas smell (not exhaust), pull the passenger side rear interior panel, and the tail light panel and check the condition of the fuel hoses that run through tthe interior, down to the fuel tank.

[hls30.com]

Looks like you guys got him covered!

All "new to you" Z cars have stupid things wrong with them! Thats half the fun of making them yours, I took mine out for a spin tonight and one side of the blinkers went out(blown Bulb), and the exhaust gasket gave up!

Repairing the gas smell shouldn't be too hard!

[beandip]

If the stink is stale like old gas , more than likely hoses from the evap. tank that is located in the passanger side fender well to the rear of the tire . These were fitted on Zs in the USA to try and catch the fumes and cause them to be burned by the engine. If it is a fresh gas smell , the filler neck to the fuel tank also passes through this same cavity an become brittle with age and crack , this could also be a sorce of the smell. If what your smelling is exhausts fumes, any opening in the floor where the hoses enter or if there is a crack in the calking across the rear of the floor. Or what was already stated the gaskets for the tail lights or rear hatch, they crack and leak. You see the Z disign creats a vacume to the rear of the rear of the car as it traveles along. If you open a window it will draw this vacume space forward and all the fumes will find a entrance in to the enterior. Also If the vent from the valve cover is not connected to the air cleaner , blow by is added to the mix.:classic:

[beandip]

The fuel pump question. I Have a '73 also but am running an electric only , it's one form a '79 RX-7 . They put out right at 3.5 psi and work great and the price is right. I bought mine at the bone yard for $15.00 and they are quiet . I have run in eastern oregon in the summer in traffic 110degs and no problem with vapor lock. This was with my L-24 engine I am rinning a ZX engine now and they have no provision for a mechanical pump so I am still good to go. If you decide to find one they are mounted on the driver's side ahead of the diff. , this is or the RX.:classic: