OK, so this is my first hobby car, and I expect problems, but I already replaced the head gasket twice, the starter 3 times(defective rebuilt units), tune-ups, bled the brakes, etc., etc. and I've really enjoyed doing it, but an engine fire!
So the car's running great. I leave my house, stop by the post office to drop off some mail a mile down the road. I start the car and it shuts off, which is strange. I get to the first stop light and it shuts off again. It starts right back up, and I head for the gas station past the next light. The engine loses power and dies, as I coast up to the pump. As soon we're stopped, I notice a burning smell, the paint on the hood begins bubbling, and smoke starts pouring out from under the hood. My wife and I push the car away from the pumps. I run into the gas station and grab a fire extinguisher, grab a towel from the trunk to open the hood, and the cashier sprays the hell out of my engine.
So there we are waiting in the sun for Auto Club to arrive, yellow powder all over my car, melted hoses everywhere, Pepsi cans exploding like gunfire behind us from someone's ingenius marketing idea to leave silver colored aluminum cans of pepsi in the direct sunlight 'til they swell and explode.
So now what? I don't mind minor repairs, but car fires? That's a little extreme. I'd like to have some level of dependability! Anyone have any idea what would've caused this? The fuel line was burned in two about two inches from the carburators. The lead to the starter was partially melted, and the alternator wires loose. Most of the hoses are toast, and the brake fluid reservoir is half it's previous height. The black plastic on the top of the stromburgs are melted.
Any thoughts, comments, suggestions???!!!
Will a Toyota engine fit in this thing?! Just kidding. Unless you've got one for cheap!
Brian
'62 Sunbeam Alpine(S V Engine - medium well)
On the brighter side of things, I guess I'll be getting that paint job I wanted sooner than I expected. Any good recommendations in the LA area???
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