Fire!!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Fire!!!!
I was heading out today after work in my 60 to take in a local cruise-in and smelled, then saw black smoke coming out of the hood at a stop light. It caught fire less than a mile from my garage! Thank God I had a fire extinguisher with me and was able to put it out. it is a 2x4 car and the fire was in the front carb and was coming out of the louvers of the air cleaner. Had to get the friggin air cleaner off to put it out. Anyone have any clues what would cause the front carb to catch fire? Everyone should have a fire extinguisher at all times with these cars!!!
Luckily I was able to catch it before it ruined the paint on the hood so it is contained in the engine bay but white sh-t is everywhere...
Pics to follow after my pulse settles down!
Last edited by Marks69BB; Oct 3, 2013 at 07:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 138
From: Clinton Township MI
Cruise-In III Veteran
Marks69BB,
Good for you you were prepared. That is a gut check for sure. Glad it turned out without much damage. "Cleanup in aisle eleven", hopefully.
Can't answer the cause of the carb going up in flames but I am curious of the type of extinguisher (content) you used to douse it.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Good for you you were prepared. That is a gut check for sure. Glad it turned out without much damage. "Cleanup in aisle eleven", hopefully.
Can't answer the cause of the carb going up in flames but I am curious of the type of extinguisher (content) you used to douse it.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I know the feeling, that stuff is a bear to get off of everything. I hve been contemplating getting a Halon or what ever it's called now. They are expensive, but at least it doesn't make a huge mess when all you need it for is a small fire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
That white sh-t is what saved your car from burning to the ground. Be thankful. Unfortunately, the front carb. on a 2 X 4 set up gets very little use (for most of us) and therefore gets gummed up easily because the fuel evaporates leaving a sediment, then it's re-filled and evaporates again leaving more sediment. This goes on and on until problems, like yours arise. Almost every one I've rebuilt, and I've done plenty 2 X 4's, the secondary jets were completely plugged and wouldn't flow any fuel.
Get your carbs. rebuilt and put your foot into it more often.
Jim
Get your carbs. rebuilt and put your foot into it more often.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
The O.P. used the correct ext. and saved his car. Enough said.
Jim
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 56
From: Attleboro MA
I use a product from RDR technologies called Cold Fire. Comes in an aerosol can and can be stored in your glove box. Supposed to be effective on all kinds of fires. Knock on wood I haven't had to try it out yet. It was recommended by another forum member at one time. Glad to here you saved the car and no pricey damage occurred.
Tom
Tom
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Pics
Here are some pics now that it is back in the garage:
Front carb driver's side
Passenger side
Outside
Before after rebuilt by Bob Kunz:
Fire extinguisher was Kidde Dry Chemical 10-B:C
Front carb driver's side
Passenger side
Outside
Before after rebuilt by Bob Kunz:
Fire extinguisher was Kidde Dry Chemical 10-B:C
Last edited by Marks69BB; Oct 3, 2013 at 08:13 PM.
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Army
I had an identical fire on my dual quad '61. I cut it off in the garage and sort of a weird backfire more of a "phut" than a "pop". Decided to go raise the hood for a check and flames shot up a foot and a half. A fuel leak at the front of the front carb combined with a backfire did the deed. As with you, a fire extinguisher was a life saver.
I used my garage powder extinguisher and the stuff got everywhere. Fuel was leaking out the big nut on top of the carb near the red circle on my supposedly "professionally" rebuilt carb. The nut was barely finger tight.
Looks like you have a lot of sooty residue in the same area. Worth checking out.
I used my garage powder extinguisher and the stuff got everywhere. Fuel was leaking out the big nut on top of the carb near the red circle on my supposedly "professionally" rebuilt carb. The nut was barely finger tight.
Looks like you have a lot of sooty residue in the same area. Worth checking out.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Oct 3, 2013 at 08:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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You've got to use all of those eight barrels on a regular basis to prevent the gas sitting and gumming up the needle valves and seats. When they stick, you gotta problem. Welcome to the crappy gas era. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
I had an identical fire on my dual quad '61. I cut it off in the garage and sort of a weird backfire more of a "phut" than a "pop". Decided to go raise the hood for a check and flames shot up a foot and a half. A fuel leak at the front of the front carb combined with a backfire did the deed. As with you, a fire extinguisher was a life saver.
Looks like you have a lot of sooty residue in the same area. Worth checking out.
Looks like you have a lot of sooty residue in the same area. Worth checking out.
Aside from the machanical issue being solved, how did you get yours looking new again?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Anther good reason to have a extinguisher in the car and to use factory steel fuel lines If you had a bubbed rubber hose with a plastic filter it could be worse
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 402
Likes: 101
From: Ohio
I am looking for the best fire extinguisher and am leaning towards the AFFF type and I know that if my 63 ever catches fire I am not going to worry about the paint/finish on the fenders but is there an extinguisher that is safe for the paint/finish? I would love to put the fire out and hate to repaint the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 39
From: Florida
I LIT.. yes LIT my Z/28 on fire about five years ago. I had just moved to florida from japan, and had finally gotten the car down there from SC. I checked all the fluids from sitting for two years, fresh gas and I was really excited about a local cruise in at the bar a 1/4 mile from my house. At the show I noticed a drip under my car, (dark and it lit up from the ambient light) but I decided to drive home anyway. I proceed and get to my house and by that time a STRONG odor of gasoline was emanating from the vents in the car. I popped the hood and the light in the garage was dim, so like an idiot took the lighter out of my pocket to "see." The second I hit the wheel on the bic, a fireball raised out and singed my hair and eyebrows. My girl at the time, grabbed the fire extinguisher I had in passenger tunnel, without me saying anything and threw it to me. Total time from first light to out was prolly four seconds. Seemed like an eternity.. Powder everywhere, but cleaned up fine. Yes I know not to do that anymore, but it taught me one HELL of a lesson!! Nowhere man nailed it.. Rotten hose and plastic fuel filter.. Its all metal lines there now.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Unfortunately, the front carb. on a 2 X 4 set up gets very little use (for most of us) and therefore gets gummed up easily because the fuel evaporates leaving a sediment, then it's re-filled and evaporates again leaving more sediment. This goes on and on until problems, like yours arise. Almost every one I've rebuilt, and I've done plenty 2 X 4's, the secondary jets were completely plugged and wouldn't flow any fuel.
Get your carbs. rebuilt and put your foot into it more often.
Jim
Get your carbs. rebuilt and put your foot into it more often.
Jim
Last edited by Marks69BB; Oct 3, 2013 at 09:34 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 14
From: Milton GA
Hey, 1snake, I don't doubt your expertise - I have ZERO. I want to educate myself on why Halon is not effective. I bought an expensive halon extinguisher because that's what they use in aircraft and automotive racing.
I suspect the primary reason for FAA use and auto racing is that it can be used in confined spaces without eliminating vision.
All I know is what I googled when I was shopping around. Can you elaborate more?
I suspect the primary reason for FAA use and auto racing is that it can be used in confined spaces without eliminating vision.
All I know is what I googled when I was shopping around. Can you elaborate more?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 62
From: Imperial Missouri
Hey, 1snake, I don't doubt your expertise - I have ZERO. I want to educate myself on why Halon is not effective. I bought an expensive halon extinguisher because that's what they use in aircraft and automotive racing.
I suspect the primary reason for FAA use and auto racing is that it can be used in confined spaces without eliminating vision.
All I know is what I googled when I was shopping around. Can you elaborate more?
I suspect the primary reason for FAA use and auto racing is that it can be used in confined spaces without eliminating vision.
All I know is what I googled when I was shopping around. Can you elaborate more?