Fire extinguishers

[61 Silver]

I think it is time to have two fire extinguishers in the Corvettes at all times. I just came from a local collision shop and there was a 1967 convertible that was destroyed by a fire. The right rear break caliper froze up and the heat caused the fire. What a sad looking site!



Ray

 

[JonM]

About 5 years ago, I was towing my Corvette back from Florida to Connecticut. The rear wheelbearing froze up and started a fire. I tried smouthering it with a blanket but the damn blanket was mostly polyester and just melted. Lucky a trailer driver saw what was going on and pulled over and rescued me with his fire extinguisher. The man saved all my belongings in the back of my truck, my Corvette and trailer. The man didn't even want me to pay for the used fire extinguisher (in insisted and stuffed a g note in his pocket)...He was my gardian angel...I now carry fire extinguishers in all my cars and trucks.

 

[paul67]

It's cheap insurance given the total investment in the car.

 

[ctjackster]

I was first sold on fire extinguishers years ago when I drove by a nice new pick up truck on my way home - it had just pulled over due to smoke coming out of the hood, and the two guys in the truck had just popped the hood and there was a little carb fire going. I asked them if I could help, we all seemed to agree I could not do much more than call the fire department for them as they pondered how to get the fire out. I went home, called the fire dept. and came back about 5 mins later - the entire truck was now fully engulfed in flames, cab included. Total loss.

Mounted fire extinguishers in my truck and in my girlfriend's (now my wife) SUV the very next day.

As for putting out a fire in a collector car where every piece of the engine is perfect and valuable, I strong urge you all to invest in a Halon extinguisher - a regualr "white powder" extinguisher will put the fire out and save your corvette, but it will make a real mess of your engine, valve covers, anything else metal too.

 

[maxphunn]

What is the best way to mount a fire extinguisher in a C1? Pat G.

 

[BarryK]

good thread Ray. I think I better get one too to keep in my car

 

[JonM]

For my second fire story...I borrowed my (now my ex) girlfriends Cougar to come home one night. I got up in the morning and started it up to warm. While having my coffee, I notice the living room getting brighter. I look out the window, and there sitting in the driveway is a ball of flames coming out from both front wheel wells. Seems she had work done on the motor at a local garage the day before. I guess the guy didn't tighten everything up. By the time the fire department got here, the car was a total loss and melted part of the siding on the house. I guess it could have been worst, if I started it up in the garage. I didn't even go out to try to put it out...I knew it was a total and would have been dangerious to attempt to put it out...I left it to the professionals and the insurance company.

 

[ctjackster]

good thread Ray. I think I better get one too to keep in my car

Be wise Barry and get one and keep it in the car, I have one in my 65 and one in my garage where I do my "surgery" - got my little Chromie Halon here, other sources exist (JohnZ has another source, I believe):

http://www.h3r.com/products/home_vehicle.htm

 

[BarryK]

thanks Jack
i have a few for the house but need to get one for the car.
are the halon ones much more expensive? how long can they go between needing recharging?

 

[ctjackster]

about $80 for a little (1.25 lbs) Halon in red from that source, over $100 if you want chrome. Can be found a little cheaper I think. I hit a sale they were having.

My Halon extinguishers (from that source) show fully charged after two years.

 

[BarryK]

thanks!

$80-$100 against the value of the car........... a no brainer!

 

[maxphunn]

From a Google search, I just found this site...

http://www.vetteworksonline.com/c1c2 fire extinguisher brackets.htm

They have extinguishers and brackets for most model Corvettes.

 

[BarryK]

perfect, no cutting of holes to mount it. i like that a lot

 

[Geek's 65]

I too installed one after seeing the pictures of a 66 carb fire and not wanting my car to look like that. Look on e-bay (see there is some social redeeming value!). Got a chrome halon 1.25 for $90, no tax. Cheap insurance.

 

[ctjackster]

perfect, no cutting of holes to mount it. i like that a lot

I and others have taken a strip of velcro (one side grippy, one side soft type) and secured the base of the bracket included with the fire extinguisher to the top (carpet side) of the jackboard by looping it through the finger hole. No damage, no holes, and cheap.

that H3r chromie comes with a nice metal bracket with a flat back

 

[BarryK]

I and others have taken a strip of velcro (one side grippy, one side soft type) and secured the base of the bracket included with the fire extinguisher to the top (carpet side) of the jackboard by looping it through the finger hole. No damage, no holes, and cheap.

that H3r chromie comes with a nice metal bracket with a flat back

ahh, that's a great idea too. no matter what, I refuse to cut holes in the car to mount things so that would work too.

 

[paul67]

I would suggest 2.5 lb minimum.

 

[KOPBET]

No Class A, A:C Or Water!!!

 

[Dons97]

From a Google search, I just found this site...

http://www.vetteworksonline.com/c1c2%20fire%20extinguisher%20brackets.htm

They have extinguishers and brackets for most model Corvettes.

Is it true you lose the ability to move the seat forward or back after you install their bracket?

D97

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

I and others have taken a strip of velcro (one side grippy, one side soft type) and secured the base of the bracket included with the fire extinguisher to the top (carpet side) of the jackboard by looping it through the finger hole. No damage, no holes, and cheap.

that H3r chromie comes with a nice metal bracket with a flat back

Not to sure I'd want to mount that 5 Lb sucker up high on the Jack Board....

That 5lb Bottle can become an 80lb bottle in a front impact ripping the Velcro and or launching it into the Passenger compartment with or with out the Jack board attatched.

Better to mount it low to the floor and on a nice steel bracket..