All this talk about C3 fires....

[OneHotV6]

I've been doing a lot of research on the earlier Vette's for a few years now and just recently been reading about a lot of C3 engine and electrical fires.. I am about a few months away from taking the plunge and getting a '72 Stingray but I'm a tad hesitant now. I am going to be looking for a restored car with hopefully some upgraded things like the steel fuel lines.. although, I am going to get them anyway if it doesn't have them. It's not going to be a daily driver so I will have time to work on her installing all the safety stuff, like a cowl hood to vent heat. Also, I'm looking into the Hooker side pipes but heard they generate a lot of heat too.. what are some things to get so nothing starts melting (besides a starter heat shield)?

I just don't want my dream turing into a nightmare!

Thanks!!!
Ken

 

[JohnZ]

Just make sure all the harnesses are properly routed and clipped away from heat and abrasion sources (past Bubba work does some simply amazing things with wiring), and make sure the plumbing between the fuel pump and the carb is all OEM-type steel, with no rubber hoses, clamps, or nickel-and-dime glass fuel filters.

 

[mvftw]

Where in Queens do you live?

 

[OneHotV6]

mvftw, I sent you a PM.

 

[wichitacorvette]

i took the wire bolt covers from my altenator(red covers over the positive) and made them for the starter, less chance..... also, ive seen starter wrap as opposed to a metal shield would help prevent sparks...... i also got 3 feet of 1 1/2 inch heat shield wire loom as well as 3 feet of 3/4 inch....... to cover fuel lines, computer wires, trans lines, etc etc etc...... i dotn think thers too much area for a spark to take her out, but i still have a fire extingusher right by my side........ suggest everyone do the same..... esp. with all these fire stories on CAC (main reason i did all the prevention stuff too)

 

[67HEAVEN]

I've been doing a lot of research on the earlier Vette's for a few years now and just recently been reading about a lot of C3 engine and electrical fires.. I am about a few months away from taking the plunge and getting a '72 Stingray but I'm a tad hesitant now. I am going to be looking for a restored car with hopefully some upgraded things like the steel fuel lines.. although, I am going to get them anyway if it doesn't have them. It's not going to be a daily driver so I will have time to work on her installing all the safety stuff, like a cowl hood to vent heat. Also, I'm looking into the Hooker side pipes but heard they generate a lot of heat too.. what are some things to get so nothing starts melting (besides a starter heat shield)?

I just don't want my dream turing into a nightmare!

Thanks!!!
Ken

For this very reason I chose to do THIS. Expensive? Yes. But I'll sleep well at night.

Sorry for this C2 reference.

 

[OneHotV6]

Thanks for all the help so far.. I'm leaning a lot towards a 100% restored car so I don't have to replace all the wiring, etc. I know it's going to cost $$ but everything will be as good as new! I just want to start with whatever mods I have planned instead of going backwards.. although I know I'll be shopping through the parts catalogs for replacement items I find not to be perfect.

Ken

 

[MaineShark]

Just a thought, but has anyone installed a plumbed-in halon extinguisher, like they do on race cars? Probably overkill, but being able to dump that halon into the engine compartment as soon as you see smoke, could save a lot of damage. Not to mention that Chris wouldn't have to go around with the hood un-latched

Joe

 

[KOPBET]

Just a thought, but has anyone installed a plumbed-in halon extinguisher, like they do on race cars? Probably overkill, but being able to dump that halon into the engine compartment as soon as you see smoke, could save a lot of damage. Not to mention that Chris wouldn't have to go around with the hood un-latched

Joe

Sounds great but you won't be able to use Halon. It has been banned.

 

[sscam69]

Not only are you going to kill the fire but yourself:L

I have NEVER heard of this problem in sharks up until now. Personally I am not to worried about it and think a few people are overreacting a bit.

IMHO I think what happened to Rick was an ufortunate freak accident. There is no reason not to have an extinguisher in your car for added safety but don't think your vet is going to spontaneously combust.

Frank

 

[Scott81]

Sounds great but you won't be able to use Halon. It has been banned.

Not really, you can buy Halon extinguishers, but Halotron is replacing it. Not sure how hard they are to get refilled(Halon ones). If anyone's interested I sell brackets and extinguishers (dry-chem and Halotron in red & chrome) for Corvettes. My store is down at the moment but should be back up soon.

Here's a pic of the one in my car; http://www.c3sharktank.com/tech2/sharkbar/DCP_1441.JPG

 

[LEEJANDZ]

Scott81 -- If anyone's interested I sell brackets and extinguishers

I am interested
79 L-82



JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

 

[wichitacorvette]

its not THAT big of deal on a stock motor, unless the motor shows some wear.... one of the vettes i was looking at before i got the 82 was a 76, it was completely stock except for i noticed rubber fuel lines that did not look stock, it had different line clamps and looked like they were abotu to let loose..... 8 inches from the starter...... i just like the extra precaution, if you dont think youll need one, thats fine, but if youve changed anything, or dont quite know about it, its just an easy safety precaution...... btw scott, what do you sell those brackets for? id like something like that.....

 

[KOPBET]

Not really, you can buy Halon extinguishers, but Halotron is replacing it. Not sure how hard they are to get refilled(Halon ones). [/url]

I didn't say it was illegal. I said it was banned. Production of Halon ceased in 1994 because of internation treaty and the US Clean Air Act. I think this qualifies as banned. Sale of halon is restricted to recycled halon or that which was produced prior to 1994. Recharging can occur but only with recycled halon. Strict regulations apply to intentional release, disposal and recycling, and training of service technicians . Use of Halon will be illegal in Europe after 2003.

The setup that mainshark was alluding to, did not sound to me like a portable Halon 1211 extinguisher. Trying to get this plumbing setup installed with Halon 1213 would be IMHO a horrible PITA and $$$, if you can get someone to do it in the first place.

Other Halon replacements besides halotron include FE-13, FM-200 and Inergen but I think some of these require up to 60% more gas volume that Halon.

Aircraft owners need not bring up Halon use on aircraft, I already know.

 

[MaineShark]

Yeah, I was referring to the general class of agents, not real Halon.

With the mounted extinguisher, I wasn't really thinking about typical Sharks, but rather some of the more modified ones where the risk is greater.

Joe

 

[KOPBET]

Re: halon replacments - mainshark

You might look into the FE-13. It sounds like it might have real potential.

 

[paintdaddy]

Ive posted this pic before but thought some of you have missed it.Ive been working on this car for about three months now .Its been modded and rewired by every bubba in the southest.Im just fixing the interior and the owner is going to do the engine side.

 

[OneHotV6]

Just curious, where did this fire start?

 

[paintdaddy]

Im not for sure but the worst was at the headlight switch.Everything was one big glob of plastic and wires when I dissassembled it.

 

[OneHotV6]

I guess with these cars, everything turns into goo when something starts to burn.. I want to get a Vette soon but it's scaring the heck out of me to think of the possibilities of these types of things happening. But then again it could happen in any car, I even have an extinguisher mounted on the inside of my GN just incase.