Reason to Have a Fire Extinguisher... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Swbman · 01-16-2005, 08:39 PM

After much time and expense getting my 72 Big Block 3/4 Suburban highway ready,the

damn carbuerator float sticks and overflows onto the exhuast manifold and starts an engine fire,by the time the fire dept. arrives well you see the damage,it destroyed all the new belts,hoses,new hei distributor,edelbrock carb. Got the rig to the point I could cruise down the highway at 85 mph.The good thing is the engine wasnt damaged will put the engine in my 68 swb once I go thru it,and possibly put a late model crate in the burb.Now I will have a fire extinguisher in all my rigs.Hey Wynne I will get with you about coming down to get the 4x4.Mike

Longhorn Man · 01-16-2005, 08:48 PM

OMFG.
Been there, done that, but you probably had more in your motor than I've had in all my trucks combined.
My last fire was a huge one too, but I had just tossed a fire ext in the truck the day before.
It's amazing how quickly you forget how to use one. I swear I stood there for 10 min trying to remember how to use it...esp at 2 in the a.m in BFE kentucky. 50-ish miles south of Cincinati on I-71 When i travel that streach even today, i can ID the exact location. It was about 8 miles south of the exit for a dirt circle track.
I was able to rig the motor with a duct tape fuel line, and a bungie cord throttle return spring so i could limp to the next exit where I did more road side repairs...like RTV to seal the singed wires.
Word of advice...DO NOT open the hood untill you are ready to put out the fire. As soon as you open it, the fire gets all the oxygen it needs. When I opened mine, I swear a small mushroom cloud came from the 10 foot flames.

JayDubBlazer · 01-16-2005, 08:54 PM

Because I have done all my own electrical work I should probaly carry a fire exstiguisher too.

Tx Firefighter · 01-16-2005, 09:27 PM

Looks like you used to have an inline filter there right in front of the carb. I wonder if that didn't contribute to the trouble by melting and feeding the fire with fresh pumped fuel.

Brainchild · 01-16-2005, 09:47 PM

That's a shame.Good thing you're OK.

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-16-2005, 10:00 PM

OMG, THAT SUCKS @SS

Blue Beard · 01-16-2005, 10:10 PM

Mine had a glass inline fuel filter when I bought it .... first thing I did was hard mount it so it wouldn't bang on anything....

Sorry to see you loss.

86SILVERADO · 01-16-2005, 10:18 PM

I used to drive a few air cooled VW's. You get in the habit of always having a fire extinguisher in the vehicle. That was even after I had replaced all three miles of fuel line and one box worth of hose clamps.

Sorry about the motor Man. I feel your pain. Never had one of my VWs burn but. My first mint "California" (thats a big deal here in the iron oxide capital) silverado that I had bought like three months before ended up in in a ditch in the woods buried in the remains of the stonewall it went through. You just have to be thankful that you lived to tell the tale even if the truck didn't. I know it isn't easy at the time though.

vtblazer · 01-16-2005, 10:30 PM

I get nervous without one, ya never know...
Each of my trucks have one it it. ALWAYS!
Glad your okay and things are repairable.

01-16-2005, 08:39 PM	#1
Swbman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tulsa,Oklahoma Posts: 606	Reason to Have a Fire Extinguisher... After much time and expense getting my 72 Big Block 3/4 Suburban highway ready,the damn carbuerator float sticks and overflows onto the exhuast manifold and starts an engine fire,by the time the fire dept. arrives well you see the damage,it destroyed all the new belts,hoses,new hei distributor,edelbrock carb. Got the rig to the point I could cruise down the highway at 85 mph.The good thing is the engine wasnt damaged will put the engine in my 68 swb once I go thru it,and possibly put a late model crate in the burb.Now I will have a fire extinguisher in all my rigs.Hey Wynne I will get with you about coming down to get the 4x4.Mike Attached Images __________________ 1961 BUICK LESABRE 1968 CHEVELLE SS 396 1969 BUICK RIVIERA GS 1971 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLAZER 1971 4X4 BLAZER 1971 SHORTBED CHEYENNE FLEETSIDE 1971 SHORTBED 4X4 FLEETSIDE ** ...My Ebay Last edited by Swbman; 01-16-2005 at 08:41 PM.

01-16-2005, 08:54 PM	#3
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,883	Because I have done all my own electrical work I should probaly carry a fire exstiguisher too. __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

01-16-2005, 09:27 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Looks like you used to have an inline filter there right in front of the carb. I wonder if that didn't contribute to the trouble by melting and feeding the fire with fresh pumped fuel. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-16-2005, 09:47 PM	#5
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	That's a shame.Good thing you're OK. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

01-16-2005, 10:00 PM	#6
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	OMG, THAT SUCKS @SS __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-16-2005, 08:48 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	OMFG. Been there, done that, but you probably had more in your motor than I've had in all my trucks combined. My last fire was a huge one too, but I had just tossed a fire ext in the truck the day before. It's amazing how quickly you forget how to use one. I swear I stood there for 10 min trying to remember how to use it...esp at 2 in the a.m in BFE kentucky. 50-ish miles south of Cincinati on I-71 When i travel that streach even today, i can ID the exact location. It was about 8 miles south of the exit for a dirt circle track. I was able to rig the motor with a duct tape fuel line, and a bungie cord throttle return spring so i could limp to the next exit where I did more road side repairs...like RTV to seal the singed wires. Word of advice...DO NOT open the hood untill you are ready to put out the fire. As soon as you open it, the fire gets all the oxygen it needs. When I opened mine, I swear a small mushroom cloud came from the 10 foot flames.

01-16-2005, 10:10 PM	#7
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Mine had a glass inline fuel filter when I bought it .... first thing I did was hard mount it so it wouldn't bang on anything.... Sorry to see you loss. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

01-16-2005, 10:18 PM	#8
86SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hills of Western Mass Posts: 626	I used to drive a few air cooled VW's. You get in the habit of always having a fire extinguisher in the vehicle. That was even after I had replaced all three miles of fuel line and one box worth of hose clamps. Sorry about the motor Man. I feel your pain. Never had one of my VWs burn but. My first mint "California" (thats a big deal here in the iron oxide capital) silverado that I had bought like three months before ended up in in a ditch in the woods buried in the remains of the stonewall it went through. You just have to be thankful that you lived to tell the tale even if the truck didn't. I know it isn't easy at the time though. __________________ 86 Silverado C10 back to 305 power! 67 C30 Dually Dump, with 350 transplant, Rockhauler 05 Duramax 3500 "If at first you don't succeed, try a bigger hammer" Member of the 1-Ton club! Last edited by 86SILVERADO; 01-16-2005 at 10:25 PM.

01-16-2005, 10:30 PM	#9
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	I get nervous without one, ya never know... Each of my trucks have one it it. ALWAYS! Glad your okay and things are repairable.



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