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Underhood fire - pics post #17

AJs72K5

AJs72K5

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Major setback today. Been having some fuel delivery issues and and was adjusting the rear float on the carb today. Made some adjustments and was about to button it up. Apparently more gas than I thought came out of the float sight. Rocked the truck to see where I was on the sight and, as far as I can tell, some gas splashed onto the hot header. Next thing I know, the whole back side of the engine is on fire. I closed the hood while I tried to find a fire extinguisher (I didn't see the one in plain sight :doah:). I got it put out and I'm ok.

Damage to motor: distributer melted, plug wires melted, carb is scorched, a bunch of wiring melted.
Damage to paint: hood paint is shot, cowl is scorched, and of all things the firewall is scorched.

No pics today...didn't have the camera with me. Will put some up tomorrow. Still kinda in shock...have to figure out what to do first...
 
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Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

most certainly glad you are OK, and it was just paint and wires but...


fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck man so sorry!
 
when mine started on fire, the starter wires burned togther so the engine kept turning over which made the fuel pump keep pumping fuel out, which inturn sucked neverending fire, got it out though.
 
Sucks to hear man. Good thing you're alright.

I think if i saw the pics it'd probably make me sick :(
 
That sucks man. Always remember that you can quickly remove your shirt and smother a small fire.
 
it makes u want to carry a fire extinguisher dont it? since mine i have 2 small ones by the doors, and one decent size in the back
 
My wife just asked the other day if I had a fire extinguisher in the truck. Go figure...

Was just checking my insurance coverage and it looks like this may be covered. I found this in the "exclusions section":
We will not cover: .....


2. Loss or damage caused by any

repairing, renovating or refinishing
process unless the process results in a
fire or explosion. We will pay only for
damage caused by the fire or explosion.​


​
 
AJs72K5 said:
My wife just asked the other day if I had a fire extinguisher in the truck. Go figure...

\
Click to expand...

ive heard the powder kind can ruin your engine i dont know if theres any truth or not to that. i know they make one heck of a mess though.
 
That sucks. I've had en engine fire before (not in the k5) and it really sucks.

It's a good reminder to not do anything with the fuel without having an extinguisher around and knowing where it is. I used to be really careful about having one handy, but have gotten lazy lately.

Luckily those engine wiring harness's are fairly standalone and can be replaced. Think of it as an opportunity to upgrade the stock headlights or anything else that you "might as well" replace while you're doing it.
 
Man AJ, when I read the title in this First Gen section I cringed. Glad it was worse since you have my second most favorite rig on CK5.:wink1:
 
chevyuser74 said:
ive heard the powder kind can ruin your engine i dont know if theres any truth or not to that. i know they make one heck of a mess though.
Click to expand...

Chemical fire extinguishers are caustic and will eat away at the paint and finishes for sure. If you have no choice but to use them, try to rinse that powder residue off as soon as possible.

Halon is a much better choice, though they are substantially more expensive than dry-chemical ones. At a time like this people wish they had a large halon extinguisher close by, and don't seem to care how much it costs...

AJ.... sorry to hear about your setback. But it sounds like insurance will cover the damage, yes? Even though it sucks now, it's all repairable and will look at least as good as new when you're done. Probably better.

Obviously, it's a good time to think about adding a few fire extinguishers to the truck and workshop area. I'd always been taught that shop extinguishers should be mounted close to the exits....if the fire gets bad, you don't want to have to run deeper into a fire to get the extinguisher you need.

Take some pics.... you don't have to post them if it makes you nauseous, but once everything is fixed, you'll want to have photos of "how bad it was" to show people.


:usaflag:
 
Man that sucks. At least it looks like you got insurance to cover it. After my fusible links burned up I got a little spooked and bolted an extinguisher behind the driver seat. I think I'll go get another.
 
I don't know what to say, other than I feel bad. I've been there before; just when you think everything is about where you want it and it's time to start enjoying it BOOM somebody pulls out in front of you or another component fails or a fire breaks out when you least expect it. It sucks and at least for me it makes me question if it's really worth all the pain and suffering. (Thankfully my kids and wife keep the project alive in these times.) In the end it's worth it, if for nothing else it's a learning experience. Now go buy some fire extinguishers and mount one under the hood and get one for inside as well. I know I am now.

As for the pics, I don't think I have the stomach to see them so......post them if you want but it may be best to let the hole in you stomach go away before you do.
 
that sucks

AJ that really sucks but as soon as you are able try to find a way to turn it around and make a crisis an opprotunity.

I'm gonna go sweep up wood chips and check my extinguisher. I feel for you.
 
This is painful. Looks worse in person than it does in the pics.

IMG_3431.sized.jpg


Underside of hood should be bright silver. You can see in the middle where I tried to wipe it.
IMG_3433.sized.jpg


IMG_3434.sized.jpg


IMG_3437.sized.jpg
 
:angry1: Dang Holleys :angry1:


Did it warp the hood?

Fortunately the wiring is pretty easy to replace as is the distributor.
Paint on the other hand.......:(
 
bigblock72 said:
:angry1: Dang Holleys :angry1:


Did it warp the hood?

Fortunately the wiring is pretty easy to replace as is the distributor.
Paint on the other hand.......:(
Click to expand...

I don't think it did...but haven't checked fitment closely yet.
 
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