Tragedy struck today!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Thanks for everyone's support! I really appreciate it!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
I would like to point something out with regard to the fuel line, before anybody starts jumping to any conclusions. OP says the zinc in the carb melted, and steel line did not. Zinc has a relatively low melting point for a commonly used metal, at 787 degrees F, while steel has a melting point of around 2500 degrees F., depending on its particular makeup. The fact that the fuel line is disconnected from the carb does not necessarily mean that is what caused the fire.
I also would like to take this opportunity to say that I'm not an arson investigator, or a metallurgist, or even any kind of forensic expert at all. I'm just a guy who knows that zinc has a low melting point, that's all.
Scott
I also would like to take this opportunity to say that I'm not an arson investigator, or a metallurgist, or even any kind of forensic expert at all. I'm just a guy who knows that zinc has a low melting point, that's all.
Scott
I will say that I found my rear float bowl leaking the other day. Would only happen after this cold winter and only after the engine had been run and then allowed to cool. I kept finding brownish liquid stains on my aluminum intake and at first thought my rear accelerator pump diaphragm was leaking due to the location. Instead it turned out to be the all 8 bolts (4 in each float bowl) were loose from the cold weather and metering block gasket shrink.
I tightened up the float bowls and the leak stopped. So maybe someone can learn from what I just ran into. Not saying that is what happened here but I sure was surprised and then when I read this post it reminded me to check my fuel lines and fittings. These cars tend to sit more than regular drivers so odd stuff happens to them.
Last edited by mysixtynine; Apr 8, 2014 at 01:21 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
I read where 10% of each model year is lost each year due to fire, like yours, theft, accident, sinkholes, etc. Now all the other '64 2 door Impalas are worth more. So yours did not go up in flames in vain.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 36
From: Cedar,BC
Well,I know it needs a lot more than that,but will agree it is likely worth fixing,sad way to go for a desirable model like that.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
It doesn't matter now anyway. The insurance company had it picked up and they are sending me a check. I mailed them the title.
Again, thanks for everyone's support!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
The car looks a lot worse in person! Gas had leaked under it all the way to about 3 foot behind the car before it lit off. The rubber body mounts were dripping on the driveway, so it's a full body off resto. The whole front clip is warped from the heat. There's nothing under the hood that isn't really burned up. The gas fire led to an electrical fire, so it needs a harness. The electrical fire was burning under the dash. The gauge panel is ruined, so a new set of gauges. It had 72,000 actual miles, but since the speedo is shot, that is gone too. The smell of burned car will never leave the carpet, headliner, and seat foam. Trying to replace the foam covered with the original vinyl would lead to cracked seat covers. It would be a huge job I'm not wanting to take on at this point in my life. I haven't even finished my 75 Vert yet. It would also be very expensive. Someone will buy it from the insurance company and fix it up.
It doesn't matter now anyway. The insurance company had it picked up and they are sending me a check. I mailed them the title.
Again, thanks for everyone's support!
It doesn't matter now anyway. The insurance company had it picked up and they are sending me a check. I mailed them the title.
Again, thanks for everyone's support!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Yikes, OK with that info I'd tend to agree it's a write off. I was thinking it was mostly just an engine bay fire. But once you've melted off suspension components, the entire wiring harness, and the interior ... yeah, you're pretty much just dealing with a shell. Sorry to hear it, buddy. Good to know the insurance isn't jacking you around.
Again, sorry for your loss.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
that is definitely salvageable, just too much work for me, but you know someone will buy it and either restore it, or use all the rest of the parts they can on another resto...still, sad for you!!
My price and joy '73 camaro burned up in a garage fire when I was 16. It wasn't worth much though. But my Wife's Dad had a canary yellow '66 vette back in the 80's in mint shape. He took the fuel line or carburetor off or something and went to the parts store (story I am told), when he was gone, her mom went out turned the key to start it and after 30 seconds, kaboom! burned down to nothing....I never saw it burned but saw pics before and it was nice. Too bad he didn't have insurance on it (not sure why, just what I was told) Glad you had insurance on yours and is a good reason for people to keep fire/theft on their car over the winter when not driving it. That's what I do, take everything off but fire/theft until the Spring...
My price and joy '73 camaro burned up in a garage fire when I was 16. It wasn't worth much though. But my Wife's Dad had a canary yellow '66 vette back in the 80's in mint shape. He took the fuel line or carburetor off or something and went to the parts store (story I am told), when he was gone, her mom went out turned the key to start it and after 30 seconds, kaboom! burned down to nothing....I never saw it burned but saw pics before and it was nice. Too bad he didn't have insurance on it (not sure why, just what I was told) Glad you had insurance on yours and is a good reason for people to keep fire/theft on their car over the winter when not driving it. That's what I do, take everything off but fire/theft until the Spring...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Bay Florida
V2 - before you administer the last rites here, I don't see much from your picture that isn't repairable or replaceable. I know how much it pains you to see your baby coated in soot like she is, but it looks like paint, upholstery, wiring harness, new belts and hoses, maybe, MAYbe a motor rebuild and yes, definitely a NEW CARBURETOR to bring her back to her former majesty. I can understand how your heart is broken, but as an objective outsider, I see a very rebuildable core. Don't throw dirt in her face just yet. Good luck with the adjuster!
Update: Just read your latest post, and yeah, if there was that much heat warpage, you may have made the right decision. Still, my condolences.
Update: Just read your latest post, and yeah, if there was that much heat warpage, you may have made the right decision. Still, my condolences.
Last edited by pacecar620; Apr 10, 2014 at 11:50 AM.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Just ran across your post, V2racing. Doggone shame but thrilled on what didn't burn. That was too close, I'm sure.
Glad that the first responders did their thing correctly. Same with the insurance.
Heck of a way to start spring. Wishing you fair skies from here on out.
Glad that the first responders did their thing correctly. Same with the insurance.
Heck of a way to start spring. Wishing you fair skies from here on out.