engine fire 80 vette
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
engine fire 80 vette
fuel leak lead to fire. damage extensive to engine compartment. all wiring melted except headlight area. hood gone. distributer melted. hoses mostly gone. carb damaged but not melted.vac hoses melted, most damage on pass side,wiper system gone, fender burned thru above tire. minimal damage to fire wall and no interior damage. front of headlights no damage a little scoring on headlight doors.no damage on fenders below hood surround level.windshield shattered.inner fenders seem ok. lip around hood surround seems mostly in tack worth fixing? before almost flawless 38k mile 2 owner car w custom cameleon paint. still flawless from doors back. where to start?? new to forum but long time c3 owner. thanks for advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
1) PUT OUT THE FIRE !!!
2)Strip everything off that is damaged and make a list as you do it of everything you are going to need.
3) Go to the bank and get 10k out.
4)Take a deep breath and have a beer.
5) Have at it !
2)Strip everything off that is damaged and make a list as you do it of everything you are going to need.
3) Go to the bank and get 10k out.
4)Take a deep breath and have a beer.
5) Have at it !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
I think he could part it out and still make more money than if he tried to sell the car whole before the fire.....
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Hayward Wi
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
Let me quess...a rubber hose joining tbe fuel pump to tbe carb...right?
Yes it is worth fixing if you do the majority of the work...if not be ready to spend some $$$$$. You can get the parts new or even find a good usedf ront clip and install it. If you choose to do so and have trouble in finding parts...which I doubt...call me and I will help with the sources I have and try to aid you..
"DUB"
Yes it is worth fixing if you do the majority of the work...if not be ready to spend some $$$$$. You can get the parts new or even find a good usedf ront clip and install it. If you choose to do so and have trouble in finding parts...which I doubt...call me and I will help with the sources I have and try to aid you..
"DUB"
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
most remove and replace stuff I can do to save labor, i have done wire harness replace before and pretty straightforward follow color codes, instructions and take time. The main concern for me is the fiberglass. ZERO experience. not sure if I should go with replacement parts or try to fix what is there. I read nightmares on lining parts on body panels. can fiberglass be "rebuilt" successfully and more accurate than replcement parts? I think I would need the hood surround only.. or maybe just fenders, and of course the hood. Body experts..opinion?? What is the path of least resistance?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
I would think the front clip from a donor 80-82 would be the best bet and cheapest route to take. Post some pics so those with body shop experience can give you better advice. Sorry for the misfortune.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City OK
wow I am sorry to hear about the fire.. if it happened to my C3 I would just look at it as a fun project to tackle, I love to work in the garage and on my vehicles, some what relaxing if you will. That is until something small gets to me then I spend triple the time it took and should have just walked away for a few instead of cursing the thing all morning (not that this happened to me on replacing the power steering pump or anything 
) ..
Of course I might cry a bit first since I just finally after years of dreaming of a C3 got mine.
) .. Of course I might cry a bit first since I just finally after years of dreaming of a C3 got mine.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
removed most wires, hoses and charred pieces. passenger fender real brittle over tire area about 2 ft and "hand size" hole. driver fender similar but smaller area damage. nose all but untouched. i did unfortunatly find firewall damage i could not see before.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
That front clip is toast, literaly. You can't repair that. The bumper might be ok. I would look for a replacement front clip and wiring harness...etc. As long as the firewall isn't too damaged it is salvagable. Maybe some CF guys living around you can give you a hand.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
....ouch!...A new front clip...Once that is off, you can really see what you need to do and have easy access to build from the ground up....The front suspension is probably shot from the heat.....If you have the cash, this is the perfect opportunity to get your engine rebuilt, your suspension redone , and your engine compartment perfected. Use the insurance and kick some cash in ?...That's your call....Good luck ! I feel your pain.
Last edited by jeff79'; Sep 3, 2009 at 06:59 AM.