Top Causes of Corvette Fires

[Wayne G.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

Crossfire, just like the 60's FI cars - no one new anything about them... its possible for a fuel injector to leak fuel... there are rubber lines with higher PSI to pump gas all over the place in a crash NO SHUTOFF control if in a accident... but hmmm was it not common to turn off the key back in the day if you could after a crash...

Crossfires - Computer controlled... TBI's... intank fuel pump... Wow and the 84 was unreal targa top... Boise was killer... nice seats... directional tires... talk about a nice digital dash...


Mechanics were changing generations right around 82 lost allot of good ones and gained allot of none technical ones that did not know how to expand into new thinking... heck 82 C3's had pretty good power if you new how to make them work right...

Manometer, PSI gauges... tools of the trade people did not know how to use....

NO FIRES.... heck I have 2 82's one 426hp and one 500hp BOTH CROSSFIRE but with custom ECU's.... ZOOM ZOOM...

As with most C3's C4's or any car, keeping them in good shape, no oil leaks, keeping things in check so they don't hit the hot exhaust... and well them small cramped engine compartments can create a bad environment for fires but what un kept car wouldn't be a fire hazard...

In any car its a great Idea to have a FIRE EXTINGUISHER in the vehicle...!!!

Save the WAVE!! and Wrap that ASS in FIBERGLASS!

[Wayne G.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

Oh I did want to add, didn't folks mention the 60's had that nasty tick toc clock that started a fire now and then??? two arcing relays that could fail melt the wires and boom!

[William F.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

Stuart,
Which 64-67's with Holley carbs have rubber fuel lines to carb? I've owned 66 and 67 L79's a 67 300 hp and a 67 big block All of these had factory all steel fuel lines from pump to Holley carbs; no rubber.

[Dick W.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

Stuart,
Which 64-67's with Holley carbs have rubber fuel lines to carb? I've owned 66 and 67 L79's a 67 300 hp and a 67 big block All of these had factory all steel fuel lines from pump to Holley carbs; no rubber.

Rubber lines are a owner or a mechanic inspired addition. NEVER, EVER use rubber on the pressure side of the fuel system.

[Richard G.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

I have a 57 Corvette that I used to drive, everywhere I went, all summer long... (Back in the day)
Once I pulled into my Brother-in-Laws and smelled gasoline after I stopped the car.
Opened the hood and found fuel had pooled 1/2 deep in the valley of the intake manifold.
Motor was a 302 from a 96 Z28. Aftermarket Holley on the car.
The fuel bowl was leaking from the gasket. I never liked the way the fuel bowls were mounted after that.
I much prefer the carburetor design where the top is removable.
Now you know why.
Rick

[Leif A.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

1965 L79 had them for sure.

[Terry M.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

I have a 57 Corvette that I used to drive, everywhere I went, all summer long... (Back in the day)
Once I pulled into my Brother-in-Laws and smelled gasoline after I stopped the car.
Opened the hood and found fuel had pooled 1/2 deep in the valley of the intake manifold.
Motor was a 302 from a 96 Z28. Aftermarket Holley on the car.
The fuel bowl was leaking from the gasket. I never liked the way the fuel bowls were mounted after that.
I much prefer the carburetor design where the top is removable.
Now you know why.
Rick

My 1970 LT1 Holley leaked from the carburetor from the day I picked it up. First was from the accelerator pump, then later from the fuel bowl gaskets. Only recently (the last decade) have WE (note: It was not my skills that fixed it.) been able to cure that. It still uses the original type cork fuel bowel gaskets (even though judging is done for it I still want to keep it original. I believe that is an obligation for a car that is Bow Tie & Benchmark), but truing the fuel bowls, metering blocks, accelerator pump plate & main body cured the leaks. Careful assembly is also necessary.

Holleys look great, but are the sorriest excuse for a carburetor one will ever see. And yes Richard, I too can't understand why anyone would expect a carburetor not to leak when there are parting lines and gaskets below the fuel level. Thank God everything built today is injection of one sort or another.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

Years ago I was driving my very early 54 Corvette (vin 03X) down the road after eating lunch and I slowed down because I knew there was a bump in the road. Hit the bump slowly and instantly a big puff of smoke came out from under the dash. Just one big puff of smoke.
I quickly pulled off the road, turned off the ignition and looked under the dash. There was a heavy copper wire with the insulation burnt off. The loose wire just went to ground, quickly burnt off the insulation and left ground. No further problems. I was very lucky.

[Ed H.]

Re: Top Causes of Corvette Fires

The "Smokin' Deal 57" thread surfaced a basic fear: a Corvette fire. We all know how poorly our plastic cars hold up to flame.

...

- Gassing battery

But the C3 has an advantage! When one's battery is being cooked by an overly ambitious regulator, the battery compartment will hold a lot of ice...