Running Rich, maybe?
 

Hey Everyone, I've just purchased an 84' Grand Marquis with the 5.0 as a winter car.

The cats have been removed, and has straight pipes in their place, the vent tube coming out of the cats (EGR?) has been plugged.

The car runs and drives fine but has a fuel smell from the exhaust and I only get about 100km (60mi) to a tank.

Dids plugs/filters/fluids when I bought it.

Carb tune issue?
Fuel Pressure issue?
Ignition Issue?

Thanks in advance for everyones help.

What do you mean, "maybe" ??
 

Yeah, maan -- it'e running RICH -- ya can tell by the exhaust odor.
Are they the CORRECT spark plugs ??
Are they GAPPED correctly ??
Are the Plug Wires clean and properly routed ??
Has the water been removed from the gas tank ??
New Air Filter ??
New Fuel Filter ??
If the above check out, you may need a carb re-build.
1995 Grand Marquis Restoration - Mercury Forum - Mercury Enthusiasts Forums
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mer...d8bb92bac3.jpg
95 MERC Engine Bay

OK, I'll check all those things and report back. Very much appreciated.

My confusion is that the car runs fine. Sometimes if I drive somewhere and park, and then start it 10-15 later its a bit hard to start, but other than that it always starts right up and runs nicely.

If it is running so rich, basically double the correct fuel content, wouldn't I be feeling some hesitation, stalling, rough idle, etc?