37 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

'SaulSpeedwell', on 09 Jan 2013 - 6:05 PM, said:

Interesting. The oil fire was caused by a blown motor? Did anything actually erupt in flames or show evidence of flame damage OTHER than the shifter boot?

Given that SCCA and NASA went on a rollcage-sealing vendetta that resulted in record metallic duct tape sales, it is interesting to think of the shifter boot as a flammable material covering a hole right next to the driver.

Having said that - I'm wondering if you had a leaky shift turret area (cracked inner shift boot, or not sealed, old gasket, no RTV, etc.)? Or did engine oil spray all over that area? I just tried to burn a (dry) shifter boot and I couldn't get a flame anything like your video show.

The engine grenaded out #4 wall, people said I was on fire, I only saw smoke until I saw the shifter. I can only assume the oil ran down the tranny and caught the shifter. No fuel leak or anything. After they put the shifter out, that was it. Inside the car, tranny tunnel paint was crispy golden brown.

Junkyard engine and the tranny that came with the car.
J~

[wheel]

A couple of things. A leather (or nomex) shift boot cover is well worth the money. I won't race without a hand held on board. I have never fired off the on-board, but I have used the hand held on three or four occasions. Some on my car and some on other cars.
wheel

[Bench Racer]

While racing a trans or diff grease for whatever reason on the exhaust sets off a GREAT fire.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

'Bench Racer', on 09 Jan 2013 - 7:43 PM, said:

While racing a trans or diff grease for whatever reason on the exhaust sets off a GREAT fire.

have had axle seal go bad while racing and drop geer lube redline must be fireproof

[Qik Nip]

Many years ago I dropped a lit cigarette in my lap. Does that qualify as exciting? Yes it does!
Rick

[Bench Racer]

'kwebb', on 09 Jan 2013 - 9:04 PM, said:

have had axle seal go bad while racing and drop geer lube redline must be fireproof

I didn't realize Red-Line manufactured "geer" lube.

Radiator liquid is also fire proof.

[Bench Racer]

'Qik Nip', on 09 Jan 2013 - 10:04 PM, said:

Many years ago I dropped a lit cigarette in my lap. Does that qualify as exciting? Yes it does!
Rick

Reminds of an acquaintance twenty or so years ago was out drinking, then somking while driving, threw the cigarette
out the window. Next thing he knew a police office's lights were at his rear bumper, officer hurried up to get him out of his car because the rear seat was en-golfed in flames. Hmmm, guess the cigarette didn't go out the window. Don't remember the results from the fire, but he sure got dinged for OWI.

[FTodaro]

'Qik Nip', on 09 Jan 2013 - 10:04 PM, said:

Many years ago I dropped a lit cigarette in my lap. Does that qualify as exciting? Yes it does!
Rick

Only if you dropped your beer can too,

[SaulSpeedwell]

'Johnny D', on 09 Jan 2013 - 6:37 PM, said:

The engine grenaded out #4 wall, people said I was on fire, I only saw smoke until I saw the shifter. I can only assume the oil ran down the tranny and caught the shifter. No fuel leak or anything. After they put the shifter out, that was it. Inside the car, tranny tunnel paint was crispy golden brown.

Junkyard engine and the tranny that came with the car.
J~

I'm almost afraid to ask - but I will anyway. What oil were you running?

[Johnny D]

If I remember correctly, I had just changed it and it was Redline 10w-30. Should of run a higher mileage one?
J~

[LarryKing]

Quote

Many years ago I dropped a lit cigarette in my lap. Does that qualify as exciting? Yes it does!

Did that make the 'carpet match the drapes'?

[Mike Asselta]

'wheel', on 09 Jan 2013 - 6:53 PM, said:

A couple of things. A leather (or nomex) shift boot cover is well worth the money. I won't race without a hand held on board. I have never fired off the on-board, but I have used the hand held on three or four occasions. Some on my car and some on other cars.
wheel

Jim - if you had seen your SM fireball from outside the car you would have pulled the pin!

[wheel]

I could feel it, but didn't know it was on fire until it stopped in the grass. The worst one was the broken oil line on the Firebird that sprayed 10 quarts of oil on the driver's side headers. Running Hallett backwards on the left going down to the tree turn. Kawooomph!!! when all the oil blew up. I found there were a lot of entry holes between the engine bay and the cockpit.

[SaulSpeedwell]

'wheel', on 11 Jan 2013 - 3:18 PM, said:

I could feel it, but didn't know it was on fire until it stopped in the grass. The worst one was the broken oil line on the Firebird that sprayed 10 quarts of oil on the driver's side headers. Running Hallett backwards on the left going down to the tree turn. Kawooomph!!! when all the oil blew up. I found there were a lot of entry holes between the engine bay and the cockpit.

Behold, the "IronyBird" ...

[Johnny D]

'SaulSpeedwell', on 11 Jan 2013 - 9:25 PM, said:

Behold, the "IronyBird" ...

I think the word you're looking for is "Phoenix".
J~

[wheel]

I need one of those in nomex to stitch on to my Firesuit to race in my Firebird. hale, I'll even make the tow to Phoenix to race at Firebird. Too bad the old FireHawk series shut down.

wheel

[Glenn]

'Johnny D', on 11 Jan 2013 - 9:43 PM, said:

I think the word you're looking for is "Phoenix".
J~

Or flaming chicken......

[SaulSpeedwell]

'wheel', on 12 Jan 2013 - 2:58 PM, said:

I need one of those in nomex to stitch on to my Firesuit to race in my Firebird. hale, I'll even make the tow to Phoenix to race at Firebird. Too bad the old FireHawk series shut down.

wheel

Fire-related Pontiac model name contest:

Firebird
Fiero
Phoenix
Solstice
Sunbird
Sunfire

I'm sure I'm missing some.

Hey, CHiPs fans, here's "Ponch" putting out a "Poncho"!