3 foot fireballs

[Paxx]

So I went to fire up my 81 with the 500 in it and after cranking it over a couple times (Its been cold up here and I haven't started it in about a month) it finally sounded like it was going to catch when BOOOM! a huge fireball blows out of the top of the carb. Then the carb was on fire. (no aircleaner) So I managed to put out the fire without having to use an extinguisher and make a mess of everything.

I figure ok maybe I just used way too much gas (I was pumping the crap out of it to get it to start) and it will start with less now that its close to turning over. Nope, another big fireball with a flaming carb served up on the side.

So now I'm afraid to try and start my truck for obvious reasons. I was thinking it might have something to do with the cold (possibly not atomizing the fuel properly?) and I've heard people refer to air cleaners as flame arrestors before but something is telling me that this is still abnormal.

Anyone offer any help on this?

Thnx
~Max

 

[BranndonC]

mine breaths fire too, its just a caddy thing, he's just waking up. other than that i'm no help.

 

[Paxx]

ha ha I hope thats all it is. It kinda worries me that the carb caught on fire after the fireball though. Maybe I should try a different carb?

 

[unclematty]

If it starts on fire again just keep cranking the engine, it'll pull the fire into the cylinders.

 

[TravisO]

Haha. That's funny. I've got a thick Carhartt shirt that looks like swiss cheese because I used it to smother a carb fire. I actually still wear it. I went from the cab, ripped the shirt off and stuffed it over the carb in about 3 seconds flat. Too bad I was at a family get together and everybody 20 feet away watched the whole thing. Damn it, I can't shake this redneck reputation.
Travis

 

[Paxx]

so this is normal? I was under the impression that something was screwed up.

 

[hack500]

did you change anything since it last ran?

 

[jmd4x4]

It could be that the float is stuck or somthing is stuck in one of the jets, and it is stuck open so it keeps pouring fuel into the carb. Thats about all I can think of at the moment. Its been along time since I have had to work on a carb, so I dont know if anything I said would even help.

later
jmd

 

[warreclipsegst]

It could be timing as well. If your timing is off it can cause it to back fire through the carb and yes, if you are pumping gas into it (or even not) it can and will catch on fire..

 

[gzzgfw]

Maybe a little gremlin came and ground off your exhaust lobes off your cam while it's been sitting......

 

[Paxx]

Damn those little gremlins!!!