Gas problems?

[Powerstoked88]

So I have a 88 bronco 2, it has ticky lifters, with a rebuilt 2.9 v6, other than the noise, it really hasn't slowed it down too bad, I just had a mechanic go through and reseal the motor, so it was running super great, I'm not losing fluids and it's never had more power. But about a week after that, it started to have a strong gas smell, go through more gas than usual, and I have been experiencing a lack of overall power, and it sounds terrible, like the exhaust has a leak, I'm really pulling my hair out over this, I'm dead set on keeping the car, but I'm afraid I'm hurting the transmission if I keep driving it like this....any suggestions?

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Gasoline smells different before it goes thru the engine and is burned, so a "gas smell" means a leak, and would explain the MPG drop.

Try to localize the smell, i.e. engine bay, under cab, under bed.
Fuel filter is under the cab in the frame rail.
I think '88 may also have fuel pump at that location.

On the fuel rail on the engine is a Fuel Pressure Regulator(FPR).
It will have the Fuel return line connected, and a Vacuum hose connected to it.
Find and remove this vacuum hose and check it for gasoline or gas smell, replace FPR if gas is found in that hose.