So Sunday morning I woke up had my morning cup of coffee and decided to take the camaro out as the weather looked beautiful. I jumped into the car cranked it over and as I sat waiting for it to warmup I saw a fire startup near the carb. I shut the car off, grabbed the fire extinguisher and found the damn thing didn't work so I wound up beating the fire out with a towel I had. No damage except for some discoloration from the fire. It appears the rear fuel bowl had developed a small leak and gas had accumulated around the rear manifold once it got hot the fire erupted. Not a great way to start the day but could have been a lot worse as I do keep the car in the garage. My only comment to all is you never know when something like this will happen but when it does it pays to be prepared.

Glad to hear you and the car are OK!!!

Glad you got the fire out right away!!! More importantly, glad nobody got injured!
Dano:eek:

Reminder to check out your fire estinguishers! I actually have two in my car, one in the trunk and one in the back seat, knowing my luck, both of them would be non-functional! :mad:

Speaking of checking them...I looked at mine this weekend and it is almost to the empty mark. I guess they lose their charge over time, I need to get another one.

Sometimes the local FD will recharge them for you. Might be worth the call.

Yes it was an eye opener and a hell of a way to start Sunday morning and thanks for the comments, guys. Dealing with cars like we have makes it even more important to take some preventive measure to assure we keep what we value the most.........family, homes, pets, and our beloved Camaro....

Wow, that's some bad stuff, glad to hear it wasn't worse.

I would check for a source of spark, just intake manifold heat shouldn't be enough to ignite it.

G:
Glad to hear things came under control quickly for you :thumbsup: they can so quickly go the other way when Fuel is involved :eek:

Checking the gauge on the extinguisher every couple months is only part of the servicing they need to be sure they work when you need them...
The gauge will of course tell you there is suffient pressure to discharge the contents - BUT, it doesn't tell you what shape the contents are in!
Most 'dry' extinguishers contain a charge of suppressant powder that will settle to the bottom (or side if they're side mounted) and become caked in a car/truck. This will happen well within a period of a couple of years in many cases given the heat and bouncing they go through. This prevents the contents from discharging fully when it comes time to 'pull-the-trigger' in an emergency :eek:
A vehicle mounted dry type should be cleaned & recharge/exchanged every couple years to be sure it will be there for ya when you need it.
Same goes for any extinguishers used on boats or for dock-side protection - I usually just buy a couple new small ones every year and replace them.
We then get to use the old ones for practice :)
I actually let the kids and misses pull the trigger a couple times on the weed/brush pile fires just to see how they work and where to aim them to put out a fire. A fun learning experience for all - oh. stay upwind of the powder cloud ;)

Smokey the John

Guy - sorry to hear of the fire but glad to hear no one was hurt and damage was minimal.

All's well again. I did stick my 850dp on while I rebuild the 4346. Now the only problem I have is stumbling when i first hit the accelerator. But after the stumble the tires light up like crazy. Much more than the other carb. One of these days i will get the right combination.......

Glad to here you made out ok!
You might want to check this $8.95 item (W20308)Classic Industries has for sale. If you park you car inside this is a no-brainer. Just by turning this knob a few turns it cuts out all power to your car. It also works as an anti-theft device and with these old cars you never know when you will have a short etc with the 30years old plus wiring.
Schoon

Ditto to Schoon, on the ground disconnect..got mine for $2.95 at Batteries R Us when I bought a watch battery. :) I ALWAYS use my disconnect, car shows, having a burger, visiting friends, it takes just 3 seconds to lift the hood and unscrew that big green knob and save $$$$$$ if there might be a short in wiring.