Common Corvette Fire Hazards
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,994
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
STEEL lines can crack and cause fires(Fiero recall)
i've removed Goodyear fuel hose 35 yrs old and the inner tube was perfect!(outer had cracks)
I only use Goodyear 50 psi or better hose like nitrite tube with CSM cover 30R7 257F. others are junk.
Correct me if i am wrong, but don't new car fuel injectors connect with a piece of hose? J30R9
i've removed Goodyear fuel hose 35 yrs old and the inner tube was perfect!(outer had cracks)
I only use Goodyear 50 psi or better hose like nitrite tube with CSM cover 30R7 257F. others are junk.
Correct me if i am wrong, but don't new car fuel injectors connect with a piece of hose? J30R9
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Shortly after I bought my vette (10 years ago) I was proudly displaying my new acquisition at the local "All America Day", an annual event for classic American cars here in Adelaide, South Australia.
Beautiful sunny day, lots and lots of exceptional cars.
I was kicking back in the deck chair, spinning yarns with fellow petrol heads from our Corvette Club, when a friend pointed over to my car and said... "What's with that smoke from your engine bay?"
I was up like a flash and raced over to the car, to see my hood insulation smoldering.
The chrome air cleaner cover on my motor was acting like a magnifyng lens, and concentrating the sun's energy into a focal point hot enough to ignite the hood insulation. Lesson there for everyone.
tom
Beautiful sunny day, lots and lots of exceptional cars.
I was kicking back in the deck chair, spinning yarns with fellow petrol heads from our Corvette Club, when a friend pointed over to my car and said... "What's with that smoke from your engine bay?"
I was up like a flash and raced over to the car, to see my hood insulation smoldering.
The chrome air cleaner cover on my motor was acting like a magnifyng lens, and concentrating the sun's energy into a focal point hot enough to ignite the hood insulation. Lesson there for everyone.
tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Proper Fire Extinguisher
For those of you not sure or know nothing about fire extinguishers, I would suggest go to your local fire department and explain to them what you want the extinguisher for and they can lead you the right way.
There is also a right and wrong way of extinguishing a fire, a short lesson doesn't hurt .......... it may save a little fire from becoming a large one.
There is also a right and wrong way of extinguishing a fire, a short lesson doesn't hurt .......... it may save a little fire from becoming a large one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
In my '82 truck the rubber line sprung a leak at the clamp. I smelled a little gas at a light and didn't think anything of it. Arrived at school, shut the truck off, and walked away when I heard sizzling. Poped my hood and there was gas boiling all over the inake manifold! After seeing some of these posts I feel VERY fortuante.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,345
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
For those of you not sure or know nothing about fire extinguishers, I would suggest go to your local fire department and explain to them what you want the extinguisher for and they can lead you the right way.
There is also a right and wrong way of extinguishing a fire, a short lesson doesn't hurt .......... it may save a little fire from becoming a large one.
There is also a right and wrong way of extinguishing a fire, a short lesson doesn't hurt .......... it may save a little fire from becoming a large one.
Do they have demos?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
u guys put the fear in me, i just went outside and checked that the fuel line running to my carb was metal 
. I did notice the two preformed rubber lines at the fuel pump though, i'll need to get those replaced.
I've been looking at fire extingushers too since i've seen all these fire threads lately. I'm seriously considering one of those fire systems for the engine bay as well as an extinguisher for the interior. I noticed that in most stories people have extinguishers in the car but never enough time to stop the fire in the engine bay. The base line fire system at summit is a 5lb. and has two nozzles. I'm guessing you would put the nozzles at the top on each side of the engine and pull the cord if you see flames coming from under the hood. any thoughts? They start at $300 which isn't too bad i think
.
. I did notice the two preformed rubber lines at the fuel pump though, i'll need to get those replaced.I've been looking at fire extingushers too since i've seen all these fire threads lately. I'm seriously considering one of those fire systems for the engine bay as well as an extinguisher for the interior. I noticed that in most stories people have extinguishers in the car but never enough time to stop the fire in the engine bay. The base line fire system at summit is a 5lb. and has two nozzles. I'm guessing you would put the nozzles at the top on each side of the engine and pull the cord if you see flames coming from under the hood. any thoughts? They start at $300 which isn't too bad i think
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 865
Likes: 4
From: troy, mi
A battery shut-off switch right at the battery when parked is a good idea too!! Also when I park in the garage I open the hood and do a quick peek/sniff...a buddy years ago lost 2 cars, garage and 1/3 of his house (attached garage) to a "after cruise" fire-I'm paranoid now!!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
this is why i have a HALON fire suppression system in my car. I almost had my 65 Superformance 427 Cobra burn up on me a few years back. thankfully the guy behind me had an extinguisher, and we were able to put it out before there was too much dammange. Even still it was a mess. Guess what? glass fuel filter cracked like someone said earlyer "little molotov cocktails"... so now on the vette, and the cobra i have the suppression system. Lesson learnd
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Some please look at the filter in this picture
and tell me it's plastic, I'm assuming glass would be clear.. this appears to be white hard plastic.. it bothers me even having plastic there... what about a metal filter... Now I'm starting to get worried
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/mytoys11.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/mytoys11.jpg
Last edited by goatsandvettes; Nov 5, 2007 at 04:02 PM. Reason: left out link
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
if it is plastic its probally ok, the glass cracks because of the constant heating and cooling. Over time, or if it gets too hot, it just gives up. but i use meatal filters now, just cuz im paranoid.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
In my '82 truck the rubber line sprung a leak at the clamp. I smelled a little gas at a light and didn't think anything of it. Arrived at school, shut the truck off, and walked away when I heard sizzling. Poped my hood and there was gas boiling all over the inake manifold! After seeing some of these posts I feel VERY fortuante.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Look what you guys made me do!!!
This thread got me worried about my biggest fear.
After so much sweat, blood and money...and this thread I went out and got two 2.5 halon extinguishers to keep in the car.
Leg room is cramped as is so I opted to mount these on the shark bar.
The seats flip down easily and then its only two latches and the extinguisher falls.
Worst case I'm getting out of the car anyway and the hatch pops open or seat forward and I have access to both extinguishers.
Also have a battery cutoff switch between the seats.
I think it looks pretty darn good.
I wasn't paying $100 per extinguisher for those brushed aluminum extinguisher mounts.
Hatch has plenty of clearance from the extinguishers.....and that is NOT a NOS bottle. Its a bazooka 8" subwoofer that looks like its Nitrous. Sounds awsome by the way.
What ya'll think?
After so much sweat, blood and money...and this thread I went out and got two 2.5 halon extinguishers to keep in the car.
Leg room is cramped as is so I opted to mount these on the shark bar.
The seats flip down easily and then its only two latches and the extinguisher falls.
Worst case I'm getting out of the car anyway and the hatch pops open or seat forward and I have access to both extinguishers.
Also have a battery cutoff switch between the seats.
I think it looks pretty darn good.
I wasn't paying $100 per extinguisher for those brushed aluminum extinguisher mounts.
Hatch has plenty of clearance from the extinguishers.....and that is NOT a NOS bottle. Its a bazooka 8" subwoofer that looks like its Nitrous. Sounds awsome by the way.
What ya'll think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
I have an extinguisher mounted at the front of the passenger seat.
My wife complains that it gets in her way as she gets in and out of the car..... but guess what:
It's staying there!
My wife complains that it gets in her way as she gets in and out of the car..... but guess what:
It's staying there!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Just searched the internet and luckily found a "speed/accessory shop" close to my work that had them in stock. I didn't see any other products except the extinguisher and their very expensive billet mounts.
Got it at the same price all other places were selling them but I was able to pick it up ASAP. Your best bet is to find someone local or closer to CA.
I catch enough flak for working on the car every night that I just wanted to avoid getting an ear full when she actually gets to ride in the car so I mounted them out of the way but easily accessible when needed. I also wanted the largest size possible.
Got it at the same price all other places were selling them but I was able to pick it up ASAP. Your best bet is to find someone local or closer to CA.
I also wanted the largest size possible.