Close Call

[79Silv4x4]

Damn, that was close. After Thanksgiving Dinner Dad and I went out to the Grandparent's place to load up my '79 and take it to my new house--with hopes of finally having it where I can do some work on it. I started it last week and noticed that the adjustable fuel pressure regulator near the carb was leaking. I figured I could drive it on the trailer despite the leak. Anyways, got there and it fired right up and I drove it about 200 yards to where Dad had the trailer positioned. We have to back it on because the front end is to wide to clear the fenders so I got lined up and put it in 4-Lo to make things easier and then it died. I tried to start it again and it flooded. Well, we left it there for a few hours and came back to try it again. This time the starter was acting up and the battery was getting weak so we hooked up the cables to my Suburban for a little boost. Dad was in the Burb keeping the RPMs up while I was in the '79 trying to get her started. All of a sudden Dad jumps out and yells FIRE! Not good--we are in the middle of a ten acre field of DRY bermuda/weeds. Apparently the leak from the regulator dripped down and got on the overheated starter. No fire extinguisher or source of water nearby. The truck is on fire under the hood AND the grass beneath it was on fire. Dad shucks his Denim jacket and trys to fight the fire underhood. I pulled my shirt off, dropped to the gorund, and got the grass snuffed out--thankfully there was no wind today. The underhood fire was still going so I ran up the hill, grabbed a bucket and turned on the hose--I tell you this, I can pee a bigger stream than was coming out of that hose. Then I saw my savior in all its 5 gallons of glory--the dog's water bucket. I grabbed it and ran back down the hill and doused the flames. Looks like all I lost was 1 plug wire, some split loom and Dad's denim jacket. Note to self: Fix fuel leak first next time AND have fire extinguisher in vehicles.