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.

[bigblock79]

i been there glad thats all that was lost.

[77-383 Step]

One more thing to be thankful for

[krue]

Glad it turned out no worse than it did. Seems like the majority of the times I mess us it follows me doing something I know I shouldn't.

[Bishops Trucks]

I think you owe your Dad a new denim jacket for Christmas. Glad you guys got the fire out before it really got bad.

[bigtruck81]

my 93 caught on fire while i was driving it, so now all of my trucks have fire extinguishers in them.

[79Silv4x4]

Now have extinguishers in all vehicles and going to pick up a new coat for Dad after lunch.

[old Rusty C10]

you were both lucky... glad to hear there was no real damage as it can all be fixed, but the lessons i guess are priceless

[Ivan D.]

And that would be why the interiors of my cab looks like this:

Glad you put it out tho, where was the AFPR leaking from?

[79Silv4x4]

Supposed to be in the 70s here tomorrow so I am going back to the grandparents place and try again. Will post pics if we make it home.

[old Rusty C10]

could you send some of that warm air up here to the north please!!

[crawdad]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

could you send some of that warm air up here to the north please!!

NO! We's keeping it all down here.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Originally Posted by crawdad

NO! We's keeping it all down here.

Last sunday we had a high of 8* and a wind chill of -18* with gusts up to 65mph here in Anchorage. Today it's almost t-shirt and shorts weather with a high of 28*!! so yeah we need some heat up here!!!!!!