Tired to burn my truck up, got lucky... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Montana71 · 04-30-2002, 10:01 AM

Hadn't started the '71 since November, thought it was about time to drive it some before it gets totally taken apart. So I charged the battery and fired it up. All sounded good, I go into the garage and when I come back out a minute later there are 4' flames in my engine compartment! Luckily my camper is parked right with an extinguisher just inside the door so I quickly grabbed it and extinguished the flames, whew. It charred some of the choke wires, but no real damage luckily. I investigated for the cause and found that my rubber fuel line from my filter to the carb was badly cracked and leaked gas onto the manifold, where I presume the HEI ignited it. After some thought I am thinking that maybe I used vacumm line and not fuel line when I installed the motor just two summers ago, hmmm... So a valuable lesson learned, I won't be starting any vehicle that has sat for some time without a close inspection, and plus not without an extinguisher close at hand.

I found and bought a short bed, and intend to really tear into the LWB to SWB conversion this summer.

------------------
71 C10 LWB Cheyenne
68 C10 SWB parts truck
"http://www.cenlog.com/71chevy.htm"

**BIG ORANGE** · 04-30-2002, 10:07 AM

GOOD LUCK!

------------------
1971 chevy suburban (BIG ORANGE)
1970,68,90 swb Little BUCKS one day
67/72 truck parts bought/sold
LIFE IS GOOD,THANK GOD FOR IT!

bobs409 · 04-30-2002, 10:28 AM

Everyone should have a fire extinquisher in their trucks. I have one mounted on the passenger side kick panel.

Im not going to lose my truck!

I just bought one for my 66 Chevelle too. It's cheap insurance! I got a nice one for under $9.00 at Walmart.

Get yours today! (I know, it sounds like a commercial) LOL

------------------
63 Impala*66 Chevelle SS*69 Chevelle*69 C10 Stepside*71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle

Parts for sale:
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html

**COBALT** · 04-30-2002, 11:04 AM

About 3 months after I got my truck some of the wiring under the hood caught on fire while I was making a lumber run. Scared the crap out of me. I had to beat the flames out with a rag.

Ever since then I carry a rechargeable fire bottle (ABC) where the jack usually goes (that spring thing really does a good job holding it in place).

Never had to pull it yet, but I came close when I was adjusting the carb a few months ago. The fuel inlet nut worked its way loose, and it was dark out. I had the engine running and I heard this hissing noise. Flashed the light on the carb and fuel was squirting out and evaporating on the intake manifold which was hotter than hell! That got the pulse going too.

I've seen people who've been burned real bad because of fuel leaks or they were dumb enough to smoke while messing with their carb or fuel line. I don't want to experience fuel burns on my chest and face.

------------------
'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed!
'69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast).
Seattle, WA.

*See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com!

Longhorn Man · 04-30-2002, 09:35 PM

I've had way too many vehcles burn...I always carry a fire ext. Mine is also ont eh passenger kick panel.
I been thinkin of painting a flame job on it. Just for sh!ts and giggles you know.

------------------
'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com
Andy, in Columbus Ohio

Duallie · 05-01-2002, 01:57 AM

I read this story awhile back...
Some guy is driving along and sees flames shoot out of somebody's hotrod, flags him down, and screams that he's on fire. Said driver calmly gets out, pops the hood, takes his pocket knife AND SLITS THE RADIATOR HOSE.
The steaming spray extinguishes the flame, and the guy is only out a replaceable hose.
I thought that was a heckuvan idea, maybe it'll save somebody's ride in the middle of nowhere without a fire extinguisher.

------------------
Just as if I knew what I was doin'

bobs409 · 05-01-2002, 06:17 AM

Good idea! That's one we all should remember. I have to admit, I would not think of that during a crisis. LOL

If you've ever seen a car on fire in real life, that should be enough to make you get a fire extinquisher in your ride(s).

I drove by one a few years ago and watched the owners standing there helplessly watching their car burn up. (nothing special, a newer car) Within 1 hour after seeing this, I owned my first fire extinquisher!

------------------
63 Impala*66 Chevelle SS*69 Chevelle*69 C10 Stepside*71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle

Parts for sale:
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html

BigDave · 05-01-2002, 11:51 AM

I am a true believer after watching a friend catch his hair and the the vehicle on which he was working, on fire. He was de-bugging a carb problem. When he noticed the fuel leak he had time to turn his head before it went "poof". Lucky for him I had a rag in my hands and I just wrapped in around his
head. Unfortunately for his 67 Impala we had to run into the house for an extinguisher. The engine and engine bay got fried pretty good.

I will never ever be without an extinguisher on a carb'd vehicle.

------------------
1972 Chevy Blazer 2WD - 400 SBC, bored, ported/polished heads, 9.5:1 dished pistons, Lunati 480/292 cam, electronic ignition, Edlebrock Performer intake, tricked out Rochester 850CFM Quadrajet, long tube headers, Flowmaster 40's, TH350-C with lock-up switch, 2800 rpm stall, shift kit, custom driveshaft, stock GM 12- bolt rear with Auburn Pro Series limited slip 3.73's, 2" drop spindles, 2" drop rear coils, track bar kit, front/rear stabilizers.

1999 30th Anniversary Trans-Am Coupe #1494 - M6, Flow-tech cut-out, Flowmaster, free mods. One of 292 coupes with M6 and in-dash CD.

**COBALT** · 05-01-2002, 03:14 PM

I forgot to tell you guys this:

Last football season the Seahawks (I hate 'em) were playing in Husky Stadium until the new stadium can be finished. My wife and I live in the U-district, so we can literally step out on to the sidewalk in front of our house and see Husky Stadium, and walk to games.

Anyway I was working on the house one day while the Seahawks were playing. Once the game gets over the road in front of our house gets taken over by the Seattle Police Dept. and they turn it into a 1 way-4 lane freeway to get everyone out of there.

My wife runs to the back of the house while I'm working and screams that there's a car on fire in front of our house. Sure enough this '85 camero is burning inside and under the hood. Burning oil is hitting the pavement underneath. The driver is just standing there watching the car burn.

My neighbor and I pull out the garden hoses and try to at least contain it. I figured if I wet down the tires it would keep them from igniting, which could make the fire hot and toxic enough that it would burn down the entire neighborhood.

The fire dept. showed up and basically tore the car apart putting the fire out. That's the only way to do it once it gets out of control. They brought in a big steel pry bar, and busted the hood right open, and broke the driver's side window and filled the car with water. Funny thing was that as soon as they broke that window and opened the hood the flames simply quit simmering and immediately engulfed the car.

As soon as fires like that get out of control you basically have to destroy the vehicle to get the fire out.

------------------
'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed!
'69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast).
Seattle, WA.

*See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com!

04-30-2002, 10:07 AM	#2
BIG ORANGE Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lancaster S.C. Posts: 4,779	GOOD LUCK! ------------------ 1971 chevy suburban (BIG ORANGE) 1970,68,90 swb Little BUCKS one day 67/72 truck parts bought/sold LIFE IS GOOD,THANK GOD FOR IT! __________________ Things happen for a reason!

04-30-2002, 10:28 AM	#3
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Everyone should have a fire extinquisher in their trucks. I have one mounted on the passenger side kick panel. Im not going to lose my truck! I just bought one for my 66 Chevelle too. It's cheap insurance! I got a nice one for under $9.00 at Walmart. Get yours today! (I know, it sounds like a commercial) LOL ------------------ 63 Impala66 Chevelle SS69 Chevelle69 C10 Stepside71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle Parts for sale: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

04-30-2002, 11:04 AM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	About 3 months after I got my truck some of the wiring under the hood caught on fire while I was making a lumber run. Scared the crap out of me. I had to beat the flames out with a rag. Ever since then I carry a rechargeable fire bottle (ABC) where the jack usually goes (that spring thing really does a good job holding it in place). Never had to pull it yet, but I came close when I was adjusting the carb a few months ago. The fuel inlet nut worked its way loose, and it was dark out. I had the engine running and I heard this hissing noise. Flashed the light on the carb and fuel was squirting out and evaporating on the intake manifold which was hotter than hell! That got the pulse going too. I've seen people who've been burned real bad because of fuel leaks or they were dumb enough to smoke while messing with their carb or fuel line. I don't want to experience fuel burns on my chest and face. ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com! __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

05-01-2002, 01:57 AM	#6
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	I read this story awhile back... Some guy is driving along and sees flames shoot out of somebody's hotrod, flags him down, and screams that he's on fire. Said driver calmly gets out, pops the hood, takes his pocket knife AND SLITS THE RADIATOR HOSE. The steaming spray extinguishes the flame, and the guy is only out a replaceable hose. I thought that was a heckuvan idea, maybe it'll save somebody's ride in the middle of nowhere without a fire extinguisher. ------------------ Just as if I knew what I was doin' __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

05-01-2002, 06:17 AM	#7
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Good idea! That's one we all should remember. I have to admit, I would not think of that during a crisis. LOL If you've ever seen a car on fire in real life, that should be enough to make you get a fire extinquisher in your ride(s). I drove by one a few years ago and watched the owners standing there helplessly watching their car burn up. (nothing special, a newer car) Within 1 hour after seeing this, I owned my first fire extinquisher! ------------------ 63 Impala66 Chevelle SS69 Chevelle69 C10 Stepside71 Cheyenne 20*72 Chevelle Parts for sale: http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mr409/items4sale.html __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

04-30-2002, 10:01 AM	#1
Montana71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Kalispell, Montana Posts: 136	Tired to burn my truck up, got lucky... Hadn't started the '71 since November, thought it was about time to drive it some before it gets totally taken apart. So I charged the battery and fired it up. All sounded good, I go into the garage and when I come back out a minute later there are 4' flames in my engine compartment! Luckily my camper is parked right with an extinguisher just inside the door so I quickly grabbed it and extinguished the flames, whew. It charred some of the choke wires, but no real damage luckily. I investigated for the cause and found that my rubber fuel line from my filter to the carb was badly cracked and leaked gas onto the manifold, where I presume the HEI ignited it. After some thought I am thinking that maybe I used vacumm line and not fuel line when I installed the motor just two summers ago, hmmm... So a valuable lesson learned, I won't be starting any vehicle that has sat for some time without a close inspection, and plus not without an extinguisher close at hand. I found and bought a short bed, and intend to really tear into the LWB to SWB conversion this summer. ------------------ 71 C10 LWB Cheyenne 68 C10 SWB parts truck "http://www.cenlog.com/71chevy.htm" __________________ 71 C10 LWB Cheyenne 68 C10 SWB parts truck "http://www.cenlog.com/71chevy.htm"

04-30-2002, 09:35 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I've had way too many vehcles burn...I always carry a fire ext. Mine is also ont eh passenger kick panel. I been thinkin of painting a flame job on it. Just for sh!ts and giggles you know. ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio

05-01-2002, 11:51 AM	#8
BigDave I poop on Ford! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston Area Posts: 295	I am a true believer after watching a friend catch his hair and the the vehicle on which he was working, on fire. He was de-bugging a carb problem. When he noticed the fuel leak he had time to turn his head before it went "poof". Lucky for him I had a rag in my hands and I just wrapped in around his head. Unfortunately for his 67 Impala we had to run into the house for an extinguisher. The engine and engine bay got fried pretty good. I will never ever be without an extinguisher on a carb'd vehicle. ------------------ 1972 Chevy Blazer 2WD - 400 SBC, bored, ported/polished heads, 9.5:1 dished pistons, Lunati 480/292 cam, electronic ignition, Edlebrock Performer intake, tricked out Rochester 850CFM Quadrajet, long tube headers, Flowmaster 40's, TH350-C with lock-up switch, 2800 rpm stall, shift kit, custom driveshaft, stock GM 12- bolt rear with Auburn Pro Series limited slip 3.73's, 2" drop spindles, 2" drop rear coils, track bar kit, front/rear stabilizers. 1999 30th Anniversary Trans-Am Coupe #1494 - M6, Flow-tech cut-out, Flowmaster, free mods. One of 292 coupes with M6 and in-dash CD. __________________ 1972 Chevy Cheyenne - LWB, factory 402BB 2005 Chevy Suburban LT 2006 Chrysler 300C - SRT8

05-01-2002, 03:14 PM	#9
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I forgot to tell you guys this: Last football season the Seahawks (I hate 'em) were playing in Husky Stadium until the new stadium can be finished. My wife and I live in the U-district, so we can literally step out on to the sidewalk in front of our house and see Husky Stadium, and walk to games. Anyway I was working on the house one day while the Seahawks were playing. Once the game gets over the road in front of our house gets taken over by the Seattle Police Dept. and they turn it into a 1 way-4 lane freeway to get everyone out of there. My wife runs to the back of the house while I'm working and screams that there's a car on fire in front of our house. Sure enough this '85 camero is burning inside and under the hood. Burning oil is hitting the pavement underneath. The driver is just standing there watching the car burn. My neighbor and I pull out the garden hoses and try to at least contain it. I figured if I wet down the tires it would keep them from igniting, which could make the fire hot and toxic enough that it would burn down the entire neighborhood. The fire dept. showed up and basically tore the car apart putting the fire out. That's the only way to do it once it gets out of control. They brought in a big steel pry bar, and busted the hood right open, and broke the driver's side window and filled the car with water. Funny thing was that as soon as they broke that window and opened the hood the flames simply quit simmering and immediately engulfed the car. As soon as fires like that get out of control you basically have to destroy the vehicle to get the fire out. ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com! __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.



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