Blew up the 'teener, no joke...pics Options

[pete914]

Fire started out pretty small. Easily manageable with a single fire extinguisher. Had I had one the car would have been easily saved. Further, I would have had no other option but to install a Raby motor. DAMN!

Again, thanks everyone. I hope to be back...

[tdgray]

Terrible Pete... just terrible.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad2.gif)

[iamchappy]

It just seems to me for an investment of 400 bucks for an onboard fire system makes the most sense, some of us have sunk ++++$$$$ into our cars that we could never recover unless we are able to save it ourselves.
I am running over 100lbs of fuel pressure in my car now i would hate to see how fast a leak there could turn into a nightmare.

[rhodyguy]

wow, what a disaster. what john stated is ABSOLUTELY on the mark. if the lead plugs on the inside of the carbs look like they are proud of the carb bodies, watch out!! they should be recessed a bit. when one lets go a steady stream of fuel pours directly on the center of the engine. like an open hose. happened to me last year. i smelled fuel while driving and shut it down. the whole center tin was puddles of gas. i stood and waited for the car to go up in flames. fortunately i wasn't on the freeway. i don't think a fire extinguiser would have saved car.

k

[TeenerTim]

It's time to ground the fleet. Everyone needs to do a preflight check this weekend. Check the lugs, the suspension, tire inflation, look for leaks, and get a fire extinguisher. Let's be careful out there!

[type11969]

Sorry man, that sucks, glad you are okay!

[purple]

It's time to ground the fleet. Everyone needs to do a preflight check this weekend. Check the lugs, the suspension, tire inflation, look for leaks, and get a fire extinguisher. Let's be careful out there!

good idea!

I'm actually not going to drive mine until i have at least 2 extinguishers in the car. I cant swing a fire system just yet, but my car tends to backfire out the carbs on occasion and i dont need this money pit going up in flames! too much time and effort to have it go up in smoke.

Sorry man, i would be pissed at the FF for just randomly beating on the car like that, but it was for his own safety so....

[pin31]

Sorry for your loss..... that REALLY sucks !!

Thanks for the reality check......I need to take action.

I've got the ubiquitous ABC fire extinguisher ....in my front trunk (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Not too smart.

After reading this thread I just ordered a Halon extinguisher which I WILL mount in an accessible location IN the car.

I'll also check my Webers and fuel lines etc. this weekend.

In addition I will get rid of my presuure regulator/stock fuel pump setup...just asking for trouble.

I'd also like to replace the plastic fuel lines with the nice stainless ones soon too.

Tim

[rhodyguy]

for your carbed car you only need to order the large line from chris unless the new low pressure pump has a return feature. rotary pump+stainless line+new soft lines should run you less than $130. pretty cheap when you look at the big picture.

k

[Bartlett 914]

Sorry for your loss Pete. Too sad for words.

I keep an extinguisher behind my seat. One of these small kitchen ones. For me this works because I drive with the seat a little forward. Probably won't work for a lot of taller drivers. Maybe we see some pictures of where you keep the extinguisher. I know I would prefer to have it more available. Pics anyone?

[ClayPerrine]

Pete....

I am really sorry to hear about this.. those pictures bring back memories, all bad ones, of watching Betty's 914 burn on the side of the road.

But don't lose hope. We managed to bring her car back from a fire, and you can do the same. Just let me know if I can offer any advise or anything else.



"We can rebuild it. We have the technology. We can make it stronger, faster. "


"The Six Million Dollar 914".

[Babydoll]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Aw Pete, that's so awful! We all bleed for you, like we do for Evil Mike. Thanks for sharing those agonizing pics, what a solid warning to get fire protection. Now I really understand why Zymurgist Ken kept Babydoll out of commission for months while he overhauled the fuel lines with steel ones - for some reason, he objected to Babydoll's perfume, eau de gasoline. He told me tales of fires in engine compartments, and it was hard to grasp how quick a little fire can take out your entire car, and you with it (thank God you were spared the flames, at least... tho' watching the FF with the axe had to hurt almost as much...) He also insisted on a fire extinquisher, so I got two. Haven't ever used 'em, but one's behind the passenger seat.

Here's hoping you can save your burned beauty. The guys in this club can do ANYTHING when it comes to 914's, they really are miracle workers. You and Evil and destined for even finer rides... so sorry you had to pay such painful prices.

[Twise]

Okay - That sucks man - I just ordered a halon extinguisher for my car. I had always intended on haveing one, but I had back birnered it. Sorry for your car man. Plenty of fish in the sea. How is the insurance company treating you - are they being fair? I would like to hear how that works out for you. Plenty of people here to give you advice on that front...

[rhodyguy]

from the reader's sales reports, right out of the june 08' issue of Excellence. mind you, this is for a 75' 1.8. "Our lastest estimates indicate the 1975 914 1.8 is worth between a low of about $7,326 and $8,329 for a car in good condition. An excellent example should bring $11,150". be sure to point this out to the insurance company.

k

[dw914er]

so, should we eventually be looking out for another build thread.


the 'iced' 914 ( i was thinking an anti fire theme)


well, good luck with the value hassels, and again, glad you are alright

[VaccaRabite]

In the event of a carb backfire, what burns in the engine bay?

Gas, obviously, but if the pump is off, carbs should only have about 5 pounds of pressure built up. Could this have been avoided if the rain tray and sound proofer was out of the engine bay?

I have a carbed car, that may one day actually drive. I'd like to prevent this from happening.

Zach

[914werke]

What a bummer. This is exactly what I fear - losing a lot of investment both in money and time to a fire. My friend years ago had a beautiful 55 Chevy he restored with his dad when he was 16. He barely had it all finished and running when he was setting the points and somehow an arc sparked a fire (IIRC - this was in the 80s) and he damn near burnt the house down! He got it pushed out of the garage just as the flames were whipping up and started it on fire. He used the one extinguisher in the garage to save the garage and the car sat in the drive and burned away (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) FD got there and put it out and when we were 30 he still had the car... sitting in the yard with the windshield still melted into the dash... waiting for the day to restore it again. Sad event so I empathize with you!

I can't even begin to imagine watching my baby burn and being helpless to stop it...

I can sympathisze, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Ive been there...with my teen.
My event was similar caught fire in the garage and couldnt get it out while it burned ...Lucky as hell the house didnt go up.
Zach if it starts from the top theres a pretty good chance you can put it out.
If from the bottem as in my case (the OE pump lines deteriorated and sprung)
there is often Oil (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) that can catch as well, if the Mag on the shroud
catches - Forgetaboutit. Its over.
The good news is depending on fire you can rebuild. My car looked alot like your Pics.
After more than a decade its comeing back ...Im gonna nickname the Phoenix



Chin up buddy.