fire!!!

[slepysal]

Scary day today. I haven't driven my truck for a while. I had it on a solar charger plugged into the cigarette lighter. I would start it every couple of weeks. Today I went to start it and the battery was flat.( I had the charger disconnected for about two weeks). I put it on a conventional charger,and noticed my gas pedal was a bit loose it's an eBay special. V I tried to start it and I felt like it was out of gas,but it wasn't. It finally started, I closed the hood and was going to take it around the block, when I noticed dark brown smoke and opened the hood.. fire on the right side of the engine by the fuel pump and distributor. I put it out but can't find out where or how it started. I noticed the negative wire going to the pertronix was melted but that was about it. The fuel lines are old but not leaking .. kind of at a loss here. The smoke didn't have the electrical fire smell... Any clues?

[Getter-Done]

Glad you got it put out.

You said you noticed the negative wire going to the pertronix was melted.

What does the coil look like now?
Have you checked it with a Multimeter?

That where I would start.

[slepysal]

I will check it out tomorrow.... I also have an extra pertronix kit ordered a new coil .

[Railroadman]

There are a LOT of guys who have made the switch back to points after their Pertronix let them down once too often.

Glad you were able to get things under control quickly.

[TJ's Chevy]

If the pertronix shorted out that could cause a very unhappy coil for sure. Glad you found the problem before the whole truck went up!
I was driving my 66 once and my electric fuel pump wire rubbed through at the fire wall and shorted out. Luckily I was still able to make it home haha

[1964FarmFreshC10]

A fire is a scary thing. Glad you were able to get it put out quickly.

A quality HEI distributor is a great thing. Very dependable.

[slepysal]

I replaced the coil, and pertronix with a new kit that I had in my shop. It started right up. I decided to change the spark plug wires cap and rotor with new ones and then it wouldn't fire up. It turns out my accelerator cable bracket had shifted and the carburetor was stuck open causing a flooding situation. My fuel lines were bit on the old side so I changed them put a new clear fuel filter on adjusted the cable,and she started right away. I noticed that the fuel filter was not filling up as good as it should and then I notice my fuel pump was leaking by the two outlet holes by the diaphragm. Then I broke my gas pedal and to top it off I tested positive for covid..... stay tuned.. Ordered new fuel pump and throttle pedal. Thanks for all your help! I might put on an HEI distributor I have later on.

[Bob B.]

Pertronix does not like ignition on-engine not running.

[slepysal]

Yes that is true!!

[Railroadman]

Originally Posted by slepysal

I replaced the coil, and pertronix with a new kit that I had in my shop. It started right up. I decided to change the spark plug wires cap and rotor with new ones and then it wouldn't fire up. It turns out my accelerator cable bracket had shifted and the carburetor was stuck open causing a flooding situation. My fuel lines were bit on the old side so I changed them put a new clear fuel filter on adjusted the cable,and she started right away. I noticed that the fuel filter was not filling up as good as it should and then I notice my fuel pump was leaking by the two outlet holes by the diaphragm. Then I broke my gas pedal and to top it off I tested positive for covid..... stay tuned.. Ordered new fuel pump and throttle pedal. Thanks for all your help! I might put on an HEI distributor I have later on.

Like Waylon sings in the song - "If it ain't one thing, it's another one on the way!" And I bet you DIDN'T win the Powerball, either!

Hope your luck turns for the better. At least COVID is no big deal these days, but you can actually use it as an excuse to "isolate" in the garage for a few days.

[slepysal]

Your killing me 😂