Chester Brzostowski Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 After the storm that blew through yesterday I decided to take the 48 out for a spin. Bright & sunny this morning and the roads freshly washed from yesterday’s rain. Pulled away from the house and entered the main road. Of course I had a guy barreling down on me so I was trying to bring the 48 up to speed. Funny thing with the pedal to the metal I couldn’t seem to get her past 50 on the speedo about 45 in real life. Boy really running sluggish. Looked in the rear view mirror and all I could see was smoke. I pulled over to the side of the road and had smoke pouring out from under the car. Looked underneath and FIRE . Now these thoughts ran through my head in this order. Oh crap, no fire & theft coverage haven’t sent in the forms, where the h-ll is the fire extinguisher. By the time I got the fire extinguisher out and then laid down in the wet mud next to the roadway the flames had subsided. I fired the extinguisher but it didn’t look like anything came out. I don’t think these little hand extinguishers work well when laid on their side. The cause of the fire was the parking brake. When I was sitting on the driveway I must have put it back on while I was talking with the wife. I guess my motor pulls pretty good because I really didn’t notice it until I was moving at a good clip and in 3rd. gear. What was burning was most likely the paint on the restored parts. Do you think this might have damaged the rear seal on the transmission? I drove about 10 miles to cool things down. Here is a picture after the drive. Chet… Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 maybe it is time to upgrade you parking brake with a switch and rmote dash mounted light or even a buzzer...as I am upgrading to the Dakota drivetrain and such on my 48 I modified the original parking brake to accept the factory e-brake switch..that took but a couple minutes to do.. Quote
greg g Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Not the first time that has happened, I have done it a couple times. Always exciting. Quote
steveplym Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 I've done it too. I always set the parking brake, especially with the od, it's a good habit I guess, as long as you remember to release it before you go. Glad the damage was minimal. Looks like you should be okay. I would drive it for a while and see if any new noises develop. Then you will know you might have a problem. Quote
Don Coatney Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 For sure you need to replace the E-brake lining. The seal will self indicate in short order. I second Tims suggestion on a warning light or better yet a light and buzzer. Quote
Chester Brzostowski Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Posted February 25, 2012 Oh, we'll ! At least I know that the motor pulls strong. The fire was quite an adventure. Need to send in that classic car insurance form. Full coverage cost the same as liability with GICO. Chet... Quote
Jim Yergin Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Been there, done that. I now have a flashing warning light. Jim Yergin Quote
1940plymouth Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Chet, been there, done that also, so pleased that you had no damage Quote
Harold M Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 A good habit is to put the brake on hard enough that the car wont move under power Quote
TodFitch Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Harold M said: A good habit is to put the brake on hard enough that the car wont move under power Is that possible on our old Mopars? I did exactly the same thing as Chet early this week but I figured out why the car seemed so sluggish in about 1/2 block. A little smell of hot brakes but it doesn't look like I damaged anything. Quote
Mark D Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Done it... but thankfully no fire. Chet, you only do it once (in your case) or maybe twice (in my case) before you become obsessive about your check list before departure... Thankfully you and the car are ok. Quote
Rodney Bullock Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 Chet, I was worried when I saw the thead title, after reading what happened it's almost like your right of passage. I think we all have done that before. These cars require your full attention. Unlike the modern cars we drive which drive themselves these cars have a check list before pulling off. That E-brake is so important. I had mine worked on last summer so I could park on hills without putting the car in gear. My E-brake is so strong it will not allow you to drift to 1st gear. That's how I stop myself from burning it up. Does it still work or did you burn all the linning out:) I bet that smoke behind you made everything tight;) Quote
T120 Posted February 26, 2012 Report Posted February 26, 2012 (edited) Chet,Glad you discovered your problem before it resulted in serious damage. I've mentioned before, I have a brake whistle alarm for the hand brake... A simple yet effective audible alarm that the hand brake is still engaged. It wasn't an inexpensive item to add when the car was new. ($1.75) This is an example on ebay today... http://www.ebay.com/itm/39-40-41-48-CHEVROLET-BUICK-CADILLAC-NOS-BRAKE-WHISTLE-/360351230248?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item53e69b6928 ...Rather pricey even allowing for inflation. The only reason I mention this is ...It is a period item and for anyone shopping the swap meets and perhaps even ebay,while not plentiful, they do turn up.This is one I bought for another vehicle I have a couple of years back,I paid around $20.00. ...Just a simple whistle operating off a tee in the wiper vacuum line. Edited February 26, 2012 by Ralph D25cpe attach photo Quote
ptwothree Posted February 26, 2012 Report Posted February 26, 2012 was the rear trans seal leaking before...it is now! Quote
Chester Brzostowski Posted February 26, 2012 Author Report Posted February 26, 2012 Dear all, Thanks for the comments. I can't tell you how much the flames under the car really freaked me out. The fire extinguish will now be a constant companion. I have gone to car shows and said to myself why do I need this fire extinguisher, now I definitely know why. Chet... Quote
Chester Brzostowski Posted February 26, 2012 Author Report Posted February 26, 2012 ptwothree said: was the rear trans seal leaking before...it is now! No it was not leaking, Yes I saw the oil in the photo. I will check it again tomorrow. Tks, Chet... Quote
stan's52 Posted February 26, 2012 Report Posted February 26, 2012 Nothing gets your attention quicker than smoke from under your car. Glad nothing worse happened. I haven't had the opportunity of driving my plymouth yet. I have had the parking left on by myself, and the family members on different cars, without any problems. One thing about the lining material it is some fairly tough stuff. You should be ok. stan Quote
james49ply Posted February 26, 2012 Report Posted February 26, 2012 Been there, Done that, just had to re-adjust the park brake, like others have said, pull the brake hard so she wount move when you try to pull off. I have to watch myself when driving the 48 after driving an automatic. Quote
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