engine fire ...small

[vettestr]

Hey Gang,
I learned cheapo spark plug wire separators BURN and I mean burn not just melt! The chromed wire separators attached under 2 outboard valve cover bolts and had plastic looking blocks holding 4 - 3 - 2 then the last plug wire over each header tube. The plastic block melted and fell/slid down the wire landing on a header tube.

I got off a freeway run of about 8 miles and then 2 miles to my home. After pulling into the garage I opened the hood to put her to bed for the night not knowing there was a problem other than a smell. Flames .. about 6 inch high from plastic melted on the tube. SHIIIIT, grabbed a powder fire extinguisher but thought about the mess and saw a beach towel to smother it. The burning plastic stuck to the towel so I could keep folding it inside till fire was out. It burned that plugs wire insulation off completely.

Engine temp was fine, nothing touching that I could see to cause this, other than the plastic was not able to take under hood temps. If the fire started when I was still at speed to feed this fire I think it could have really taken off. They are about 6 mo's old and I have driven this route a dozen times but I dodged a big bullet

[Karl Bebout]

Jeff, glad the damage was minimal. The blue oval guys will probably be telling you that it wouldn't have happened if you hadn't put your engine in backwards.

[Jerry Clayton]

Why don't you run the wires under the manifolds like Zora designed it??they don't burn down there

[vettestr]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

Why don't you run the wires under the manifolds like Zora designed it??they don't burn down there

Jerry,
She is not a Zora engine, Dart has relocated the plugs and with 2 1/8" Hooker primary tubes on the headers that is not option. Engine is Dart Gen 6 big block at 540 inches.

Karlos, is that what I did wrong? THANKS

[Jerry Clayton]

Jeff

I have built headers for the dart heads and the plug wires fit underneath just fine---altho they aren't on a cobra look in my gallery of the 32 ford headers .

[Danr55]

...and once again the curse of the ChebbyShelby rears it's ugly head. It doesn't pay to mess with Mother Nature..

Glad you saved the beast Jeff.

[dave from mesa]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

Jeff, glad the damage was minimal. The blue oval guys will probably be telling you that it wouldn't have happened if you hadn't put your engine in backwards.

Guess we don't need too.

edit
Glad it's nothing serious, Jeff

[vettestr]

Jerry
For crying out loud I looked at the coupe headers and that much room around here would have a family of 35 illegals living in it by dark!!! Those headers are like a T-bucket runs and not between frame rails and the the block like I'm running. I would love to run down like you mentioned and there are a few cylinders I can but some yes & most no.

You have some great photos in your gallery. I think I remember seeing that digger before. She looks like an old 392. I ran the 392 blocks in several Toys over the years from drag boats to a front motor cars I ran. Did you run it at Bakersfield a couple of years ago? cool Toy

Dan I am stealing a line here " BITE ME ! "

[Jerry Clayton]

Bakersfield in early / mid 70s
low et 1969 and 1970

Yes lot of room inthe 32--built the exhaust as Cobra style side pipes--when I build a header I have a sparkplug with a tube welded over it like a plug socket and extension, sdrew into head and orinate the header pipe past it--it gives plenty of clearance for 90* plug wires

On the 32 the plugs can be changed as fast as someone can open the boxes---Theres still time for a vote for my car on the 1970s dragster page on NHRA.COM down the left side

[vettestr]

The headers and side pipes are off the shelf parts right out of the Hooker catalog. Remember we use a third generation Corvette chassis so it is all bolt up and go. If the heads were stock big or small block they have no issues and the body has lots of room. There is not an issue other than I can not run STOCK tailered plug wires and the loom thing was just some chrome goodie gone wrong. Dan and I try not to miss a chance at giving each other grief so all is good there too.

[PANAVIA]

A 327 chevy wouldnt have had the problem either ( hehehehe) . anyway, i am relieved that the damage was minimal, and thanks for the heads up on the sepps.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Jeff, it wouldn't have happened if you hadden't put your engine in backwards.

I see the fire damage on your hood paint and the melted plastic on your engine.

You've got some cleanin to do Lucy!

There goes your Sunday.

That's all I have to say

AZ Bob

[mikiec]

I am not gonna say it. ..... I am not gonna say it. ..... I am not gonna say it.

Oh Crap it's slipping out...... Engine is in backwards. There I feel better now.

Mike

[Danr55]

Wow! I knew they had a union, but I didn't know hookers had a catalogue.... That give the expressions "rent a wreck" a whole new meaning..

[Fitz]

I have been away for awhile on vacation. Did someones lips catch on fire and melt at the run?

[vettestr]

You guys are killing me... "A Hookers Union" or "rent a wreck is a whole new meaning" .... Let me fix that for you a hole new meaning
I like it

[John-Tucson]

Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha. You guys are good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Danr55]

Thanks John. Coming from you that's a compliment.

[vettestr]

John, I spewed my adult beverage out my friggin eyes and of course my nose when I sarted reading it all. It caught me off guard and struck me just right. You have to love a good belly laugh now and then. I do and THANKS ya weirdo's

PS Dan read your MSN email, sent you some info for your orange car.