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That's why they call it a FIREwall !

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Cottontop

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior
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Most of you have probably seen the feature articles in the AHCA "Healey Marque" and/or the AHCUSA "Austin Healey" magazines about the North Texas AHC member, Jim Hockert, and his BEAUTIFUL replica Rally Car (the one with all the headlights).

A week or so ago, Jim had a "flash" of bad luck. With Jim's permission, see the details HERE

Luckily, the interior and the aft end are OK. That's why they call it a firewall.

Tim
 
Man, I'm glad no one was hurt. That easily could have happened driving at a good speed. Still gut wrenching.
 
That make any one feel GUTTED-----Keoke
 
Wow...glad he was able to catch it when he did. I need to check to make sure my fire extinguisher is charged...
 
Shane said:
Wow...glad he was able to catch it when he did.
Click to expand...

If he had not been in his driveway with a second fire extinguisher and a garden hose handy, it would have been MUCH worse.


Hey Shane,

Are you going to Tri-Healey in Eureka Springs over October 9, 10, 11 ?

Tim

PS: Today, I checked the ones in each of my cars.
 
Boy, I'll never complain again about my burned up wiring harness after seeing
this damage !!!!!!!!! Glad he is okay and was able to put it out before it
consumed the entire car. Think I'll keep that fire exstinquisher a little closer.
Mike
 
Wow after reading this I just made a note to get a fire extinguisher for the garage. Have 2 in the hallway, each close to the kitchens. I never thought about the garage. I think maybe of lot of us haven't. Also glad that nobody got hurt.
 
Man oh man... That's scary on many levels. My condolences to the owner...

Is there any repercussion/restitution from the manufacturer of the fuel injector unit?
 
That's really scary. I'm glad nobody was hurt.

I am religious about carrying a fully charged fire extinguisher in my LBCs wherever I go -- and always in a convenient place to grab it, on the floor right behind the passenger seat. I'd rather deal with it rolling around than having to fiddle with finding it or unhooking it from a bracket. I also have a couple in convenient places in the garage, so I'm never more than ten feet from one, and I must admit I plan on getting more. I grew up going to Antique Automobile Club of America shows with my dad, and the AACA will simply not let you show a car at a sanctioned meet if you don't have a fully charged modern fire extinguisher with you. A good policy and a good habit!

Let's all say a quick prayer of thanks that Jim wasn't hurt. I don't know the gentleman, but I never like to see a fellow LBC owner have a close call.
 
Whoa, that's amazing! So glad knowone was hurt. Oh, I didn't know brake fluid was so flammable? (Check the last statement).
 
What a fantastic car--that's heartbreaking.

Don't want to start the silicone vs. glycol brake fluid argument, but that's a point in silicone's favor:

https://www.automec.co.uk/pdf_files/telegraph_fireball.pdf


I have my own fire extinguisher story. Having had lots of SU fuel pump issues, I'd installed a separate hot lead from the fuse block to the pump for diagnosing problems. I was changing a pump and figured I was OK with the ignition off, forgetting about the hot lead. With the usual bit of spillage there was gas vapor everywhere and, as you've probably guessed, the hot lead touched the chassis creating a spark and I had a fuel fire in the rear wheel well, right next to the tank. Fortunately, I remembered the little Halon extinguisher I carried in the glove box and I want to tell you I never moved so fast. A quick burst from the extinguisher and the fire was out, but my pulse didn't settle for at least an hour.

I was only seconds away from an explosion that probably would have killed me outright, or maybe I would have lingered for a few days before dying. Not to mention my house would have been toast.

Sure wish they hadn't made Halon illegal/hard to get. I got the fire out with no mess, not even any damage to the paint.
 
Change 'illegal/hard to get' to expensive. I bought the equivalent of the RT A400 for about $15 years ago. They were readily available almost everywhere, not just at aircraft supply outfits.
 
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