Saw Another Vette Burn Today
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
What was the deal with the coil? I was working on my chasis and had the coil to power and the starter to power for testing. The coil got really hot really quick. I disconnected it and was just cranking the starter over. But the coil will have to get power somehow.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Originally Posted by Bangkok Dean
"I wonder why the hood did not open"........
I thought about that on the way home and that's also what I figured. I had an '81 where the plastic parts had given me trouble.
I knew the only chance we had with this car was to open the hood and hopefully get it out quickly. When we couldn't even get it open, I knew it was a lost cause.
Rich
"I wonder why the hood did not open"........
I knew the only chance we had with this car was to open the hood and hopefully get it out quickly. When we couldn't even get it open, I knew it was a lost cause.
Rich
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I am saddened to hear a story like that 
Now I hope all those without fire extinguishers or those with the fancy little chrome ones get a full sized extinguisher for their Vette. I have a big one and it fits in the compartment behind the passenger seat
Forget about the little ones please, they are good for a fire in the ashtray, but you will watch your Vette burn to the ground
Now I hope all those without fire extinguishers or those with the fancy little chrome ones get a full sized extinguisher for their Vette. I have a big one and it fits in the compartment behind the passenger seat
Forget about the little ones please, they are good for a fire in the ashtray, but you will watch your Vette burn to the ground
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
almost lost my 81 due to one of those, nothing but factory fuel lines from the pump to carb for me. I have the extinguisher but need to install a battery cutoff
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Davenport FL
I had both an old van and an old station wagon catch fire from old weak fuel lines. After the first fire, I got a little fire extinguisher and it put out the second fire in seconds. I now have fire extinguishers everywhere in my house and cars. I am a believer now.
The one I have in my Vette is almost new, but about 1' in length. Do any of you have like a large 2' in your Vette and carry that all the time? How large is large?
Thanks.
www.mycarframes.com
The one I have in my Vette is almost new, but about 1' in length. Do any of you have like a large 2' in your Vette and carry that all the time? How large is large?
Thanks.
www.mycarframes.com
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Ouch! I never leave home without a fully charged extinguisher in the '71. Guess it didn't help in this case.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Back when I was a kid. Probably grade 9. My dad was driving me home from one of my hockey games in the 74 when we lost power and smoke was coming from under the hood. We quickly popped the hood to see the relay (next to the brake M/C on the inner fender) burning up. Dad grabbed the fire extinguisher and put it out. We were lucky. Got a tow home and the relay was replaced.
If Dad didnt have the extinguisher, the 74 wouldnt be alive today.
Thanks Dad!
If Dad didnt have the extinguisher, the 74 wouldnt be alive today.
Thanks Dad!
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
I'm wondering about the hood latch thing too....
Also, I noticed this burning vette thing comes up alot. Is there something about these cars that makes them more prone to fire then others? On the battery cut-off, do you put it in to prevent shorts while you are away from the car? Thanks.
Also, I noticed this burning vette thing comes up alot. Is there something about these cars that makes them more prone to fire then others? On the battery cut-off, do you put it in to prevent shorts while you are away from the car? Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
That sucks man, i remember when mine caught fire... saved most of it but my insurance totaled it.
Now i have bought another one, with better electrical wiring and a big a** fire extinguisher.
And about corvettes being prone to catching fire.
Any car with 30 some odd old wiring is prone to fires, period.
RIP
Now i have bought another one, with better electrical wiring and a big a** fire extinguisher.
And about corvettes being prone to catching fire.
Any car with 30 some odd old wiring is prone to fires, period.
RIP
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 9
From: Fallbrook CA
Hybrid117....I hope someone was able to save that car!
I agree with the 30 year old wiring vulnerability. Not everything is fuse protected. The only way to kill the source of the energy in an electrical fire is with the battery kill switch. If you ever encounter an electrical fire, you stand a very good chance of getting it out if you can kill the power. Otherwise, get the hot dogs out. Fuel fires are another story. You need to remove the oxygen from the flames. Lots of extinguisher fire power required.
Your best bet....Always inspect your electrical wiring. Especially the positive battery cable. Look for areas where the cables rub on metal. And obviously, no fuel leak is acceptable. That breaks my heart to see the pic of that Vert burning. I lost a F-250 to a fire. It's extremly tough to have to stand back and watch your pride and joy burn to the ground.
I agree with the 30 year old wiring vulnerability. Not everything is fuse protected. The only way to kill the source of the energy in an electrical fire is with the battery kill switch. If you ever encounter an electrical fire, you stand a very good chance of getting it out if you can kill the power. Otherwise, get the hot dogs out. Fuel fires are another story. You need to remove the oxygen from the flames. Lots of extinguisher fire power required.
Your best bet....Always inspect your electrical wiring. Especially the positive battery cable. Look for areas where the cables rub on metal. And obviously, no fuel leak is acceptable. That breaks my heart to see the pic of that Vert burning. I lost a F-250 to a fire. It's extremly tough to have to stand back and watch your pride and joy burn to the ground.
