my car caught on fire

[DrSmith]

took it out of the garage to keep it running....next thing I knew smoke was coming out of the hood. Has a gas leak somewhere, there was gas dripped all over the floor. Thank God for fire extinguishers. Any ideas on what it could be? On the left side of the moror there is a pool of gas, but I can't find the leak. I may have a king cobra for sale....
Doc

 

[Mstng2]

wow glad to hear you got it out quickly, first think to check is the rubber portions of the fuel line. They crack over time and then leak only when its under pressure from the fuel pump. The other possibility is the carb itself leaking from a stuck float.

 

[Steel Steeds]

I once bought a '74 Dodge pickup that had been parked for a year. I got it running, but a couple of days later while driving it, I smelled gas very strongly. I pulled over and popped the hood, and backed away very quickly. The valleys of the intake manifold were all filled with gasoline, and it was BOILING. I was freaking out, waiting for the whole thing to burst into flames, it never really occurred to me that you could boil gasoline.

The leak was coming from the accelerator pump on the front bottom of the carb, it had cracked from age/disuse. I was lucky, no flames and all was well after I replaced it.

 

[Blue Thunder]

The only section of rubber line I have under the hood runs 5 inches between the fuel line from the tank and the mechanical pump, and I use the red hose from NAPA for fuel, it's a lot more durable than black hose.
Spend time converting your fuel system to steel lines wherever possible. You can improve the appearance of plain steel lines with plastic wire loom, too.

 

[74ProII]

This is very common with any carbed car that has sat. Very rarely is it a hard line. Normally as said it tends to be the acccelerator pump gasket or especially the small piece of 1/4" hose normally added in with fuel filters. I would dare to say that I would rate that item as the most neglected and overlooked. I have many near and probably a dozen or more actual fires from this.

 

[Wart]

Left side?

Fuel pump diaphram.

Check your oil. Usually, but not always (Some pumps have a "seal" on the pump lever), when a diaphram goes it also pumps fuel into the engine.

 

[Dano78]

I just got done replacing the fuel pump in my 460. It wasn't leaking at any of the connections or into the crankcase. Actually it was leaking where the aluminum and steel halves of the pump mate together. First time I ever have seen it leak there.

 

[DrSmith]

I cleaned the motor off, disconnected the coil and cranked it a few times. No leaks anywhere! I think that the leak was fron an in-line gas filter. That would account for the small pool of gas on the left side of the motor (left if you are standing and looking at the car). I think gas ran down the hose and dripped there. The car started up fine and ran well. If I get a good offer on the king cobra project, I will take it. I have 1500 into it. It is a complete car, just stripped down to be restored. I have all parts except the front spoiler. I have extra sets of glass, except for the windshiled and side windows. I have one set of windows with factory tint. At this point I don't know what to do with this car, I would sell it if I can get my money back. This is more a matter of space and time.
If you guys have any good ideas on the leak, let me know!
Thanks,
Doc

 

[Wart]

Left and Right are determined when occupying the operators station. This is universal.

 

[DrSmith]

Oh, that is funny, it is the left side of the motor when sitting in the car.
Thanks,
Doc

 

[Wart]

.... That would account for the small pool of gas on the left side of the motor (left if you are standing and looking at the car). ....

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