Engine Fire

I was driving down the road two days ago when my engine shut off. I thought it was something small, so I tried to start it again. I get out and see smoke coming from the hood. I put up the hood and see my engine is on fire. The only thing I see is a hose from someones house. I end up putting it out, of which I'm told not to use water b/c it will spread. But I can't sit there and watch my truck burn to the ground.......Rebuilt motor w/ all new pumps, starter alternator. Edelbrock: intake, carb, and heads. When I finally get it towed home I see my spark plug wires are where I think it all started from. Now I have the task of cleaning and finding if it might be something else....Any suggestions??

[fast67chevy2002]

sorry to hear about the fire, my 77 caught one time and it was a hot wire on the fire wall that sparked gas leaking from a gasket on the carb, you might want to check if something of that nature was the start.

thanks, I'll check it out

[Southpa]

You say your engine shut off. Were you still rolling and in gear? That happened to me once, but no fire. If the engine stalls while in gear that means the crank is still turning. That also means that the crank is still pushing the mechanical fuel pump. The end result is gas gushing out the carb, .

[cdowns]

sorry about the fire !!! i learned the lesson 30years ago with old leaky stromberg carburators i ALWAYS carry at least 1 most of the time 2 fire extinguishers in each vehicle boat car truck they've all got them real cheap insurance hopefully you can get it back together inexpensively and maybe others will read this and take a clue and get themselves extinguishers

[Stout72]

Don't worry too much about using water to put out a fuel fire if that's all you have at your disposal. If you have to use water, use a spray pattern and stand back. A forcible stream will indeed spread the fire, where a spray or mist will cool it and work toward displacing available oxygen (2 of the 3 sides of the fire traingle).

[Jackal2k9]

good to know a fireman... certified or not.

[Blue Beard]

Keep us posted as to what you find that may have been the reason.

After some of the posts I've seen, my question would be Did you have one of the glass fuel filters? Everyones under the thoughts these are bad.

I will. So far I think the spark plug wires are what started the sparking and then it started burning the fuel line. So when the fuel line started to burn it exploded and sent fuel everywhere. Good thing I dont have an electric Pump, huh?

[Blue Beard]

I converted my from hose to tubing. Have habit of doing that on all my rides rather than taking a chance on a rub spot or any likeliness of that type of thing happening.

Have seen fires where the tubing came off a fitting because someone didn't clamp it right.

[Longhorn Man]

Glass fuel filters are fine if you think about where you put them. If you place it within an inch of something harder than the glass, you deserve a fire. If you'r smart enough to bend the lines away from the engine and have it away from everything, the glass filter is a very handy way to go.

I think I'm gonna go back to the metal gas lines. But how do I go about making my own. What tools do I need and fittings, and size tubing? Flaring tool, cutting tool?