47D-24Joel Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 Worked for 14 months to get my 47 ready for a family wedding this weekend. Spent 5 hours polishing and waxing this morning. Drove all over town yesterday without a problem (after I released the e-brake). Got gas before we were set to leave, and continued to smell gas afterward. Couldn't figure it out at first, but after a couple minutes I knew what was up. The float on my carb stuck wide open and gas was pouring on the manifold. A minute later, my engine was on fire. Glad I had an extinguisher, that saved my car. But not before it toasted many brand new wires under the hood. The right side of my hood is now trashed, and needs repainted. The pass fender got it too. So did the firewall and air vent by the front window. So all the engine and its parts need repainted too. At least State Farm is great, called and they're taking care of it. My deductible is only $100, so it wont be that bad, just going to miss a good month of great cruising weather. At least it happened in my driveway, no towing! Quote
Charlie Olson Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 I am sincerely bummed out for you. Thank goodness you weren't caught with a huge, all consuming fire. Hope the wedding celebration will lift your spirits. Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 Sorry to hear about the fire. Good thing nobody got hurt. Hopefully you can get it back on the road soon. Tom Quote
Niel Hoback Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 I'm really sorry to hear about your fire. All that work. Good thing about your insurance, though. And you know that you will do the repair work right, not some yokel State Farm sends you to. Releived to hear it wasn't a lot worse. Fire is scary. Quote
Robert Horne Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 I have 2 fire extinguishers, and I am trying to figure where is the best place to attach them where they are easy to get to. I seen the photos of the 38 Coupe that caught on fire, and there was no time to get to the fire extinguisher in behind the driver seat. I was thinking of mounting a fire extingquisher near the bottom of each door, if there is enought space to make a slot in the door panel.... Quote
oldodge41 Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 I have 2 fire extinguishers, and I am trying to figure where is the best place to attach them where they are easy to get to.I seen the photos of the 38 Coupe that caught on fire, and there was no time to get to the fire extinguisher in behind the driver seat. I was thinking of mounting a fire extingquisher near the bottom of each door, if there is enought space to make a slot in the door panel.... I have mine mounted on the floorboard between the driver and passenger. That way if I start running away scared my wife can put the fire out. Glad no-one was hurt in this fire. It sucks but the car can be replaced.........Tim Quote
1940plymouth Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 Pleased to hear that no one was hurt, the car can be fixed Quote
47D-24Joel Posted May 21, 2011 Author Report Posted May 21, 2011 I agree with you guys. Could've been a lot worse. I had the pictures of the Plymouth going through my head when I saw the flames. Tomorrow I will start the tear down, if the insurance co gives me the ok. I'm doing everything in my garage but the paint. I'm not a good painter. Now I have an excuse to get my Fulton visor painted and on the car. Was holding off because I had no extra paint and didn't want to spend the money. My paint guy will paint it for $75 extra when he does the car. Starting to feel a little better now. Just bummed I'm going to miss Memorial weekend shows. Quote
Greenbomb Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 Well, at least that's all you will miss. Could have been a whole lot worse, even though it still stinks! Quote
Desotodav Posted May 21, 2011 Report Posted May 21, 2011 Sorry to hear about the fire/s. Sounds like lady luck is not on your side at present - with a fire in the e'brake and then a day later in engine bay! I'm sure that your positive attitude will pull you through. Best wishes. Desotodav Quote
47D-24Joel Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Posted May 22, 2011 As soon as I get home, I'm going to have some. There was no beer at the wedding I'm at. But I'll be home in half hour! Will have a drink and survey the damage up close. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 Sad to hear about the fire. Glad no one was hurt. The car can be fixed......will just take time and elbow grease. Meanwhile......did I hear the popping of the top on an aluminum can???? Quote
boxer_inv Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 Wow - glad you're okay and you managed to arrest the spread of that fire before it got too bad. Where did you have your extinguisher? in the car or in the shed? Rob Quote
49 Dodge Dude Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 Everyone's greatest fear - fire under the hood. Glad you're OK. Quote
47D-24Joel Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Posted May 22, 2011 I keep the trunk unlocked. The fire extinguisher was in there. My drive is .4 miles long and it happened at the bottom. If I didn't have the exinguisher, I probably would have lost my car. Now I'm thinking of mounting it in the same place as the picture in this thread. All things connsidered, it could have been a disaster. So happy my car wasn't destroyed! Quote
windsor8 Posted May 22, 2011 Report Posted May 22, 2011 My buddy and I where discussing fire extinguishers today at a car show and moving them into the passenger compartment from the trunk. Also having the extinguishers check and recharged if needed as the age of your extinguisher can slip up on you. Quote
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