My '72 ES is a mess that I hope to improve next year with I finish a couple of other projects. Meanwhile it is a daily driver that has begun to show problems in hot weather.

The engine losses oil, probably a combination of leaks from from the seals and blow-by from the rings. When I start the car or step on the gas firmly I get a puff of light gray smoke from the exhaust. And, about half the time when driving I can smell fuel. It doesn't smell like gasoline--seems sweeter and lighter than that.

A couple of weeks ago I was stuck in city traffic for quite a while and the idle grew rougher and rougher. Finally the car died, and when I tried to restart it a puff of light grey smoke came out of the front of the car--I suppose back through the air cleaner. This rough idle phenomena has continued after the engine gets thouroughly warmed. Once, when re-starting after a quick errand, I got the smoke from the front again.

I intend to do a rebuild of another engine I have and drop it in, but that won't happen for a few months. Any ideas on solving this problem so I can keep the current engine limping along?